How Will ex-Nike CSO Noel Kinder Make lululemon Sustainable?

Ex-Nike Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder is taking on the role of SVP Sustainability at lululemon. 

Noel brings more than 25 years of experience in athletic apparel to the growing brand from one of the world’s biggest and best. 

From 2022 to 2023, lululemon’s revenues grew by US$1.5bn to US$9.6bn, but fast growth often comes with a bigger environmental impact. 

Noel will now be responsible for steering the company to have a positive impact on the world through its Impact Agenda. 

“I have observed lululemon as a competitor for many years and have always had a tremendous amount of respect for the brand they have built through outstanding product, community connection and a commitment to leading positive change,” Noel wrote on LinkedIn when announcing his new role. 

“I get a tremendous amount of energy from leading transformation, driving operational success and frankly, being part of something bigger than myself.”

Noel Kinder’s career at Nike

Noel took on the role of Chief Sustainability Officer at Nike in 2018 and led the company’s sustainability strategy and implementation efforts. 

He began his career at the company in 1999 as a Quality Analyst before leading its manufacturing operations in Vietnam.

He left Nike in February 2024, and said on LinkedIn: “It is with a mix of nostalgia, gratitude and anticipation for the exciting possibilities ahead that I share that after more than two decades, I am retiring from Nike to pursue the next stage of my career. 

“Nike is not just a brand, it's a community of exceptional individuals committed to pushing boundaries and shaping the future.”

Noel was responsible for Nike’s Move to Zero strategy which aims to cut the company’s emissions across its business and supply chain. 

The sustainability section of its 2023 Impact Report outlined progress in a number of key areas, including:

• 96% of its energy came from renewable sources in 2023 compared to 48% in 2020
• Scope 1 and 2 emissions were down 69% from 225,644 tons of CO₂ in 2020 to 70,723 in 2023
• Scope 1 and 2 emissions were down 73% against 2015 baseline, beating its target of 65%
• 100% of waste was diverted from landfill in Nike’s extended supply chain, with 80% recycled into Nike products and other goods.

Jaycee Pribulsky took on the role of Chief Sustainability Officer at Nike after Noel’s departure. 

lululemon’s sustainability initiatives 

lululemon’s Impact Agenda is integrated into its overall strategy and operations as the company believes individual, community and planetary wellbeing are all linked. 

It is organised into three interconnected pillars:

• Be Human
• Be Well
• Be Planet

On the release of its 2023 Impact Report, Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer at lululemon, said: “Looking ahead, we remain firmly committed to continuing to implement and action tangible Impact strategies and solutions across our business and supply chain, as well as transparently sharing updates with our stakeholders as we advance this important work.”

On the release of its 2023 Impact Report, Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer at lululemon, said: “Looking ahead, we remain firmly committed to continuing to implement and action tangible Impact strategies and solutions across our business and supply chain, as well as transparently sharing updates with our stakeholders as we advance this important work.”

When zips, seams or other parts of a Lululemon garment break, the company says it will fix them “on the house”.

In FY23, it rolled out repair programmes in the majority of its stores in Mainland China and Europe alongside repair pilots in Australia and New Zealand. 

It also unveiled one of the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 products, a key milestone in textile-to-textile recycling. 

Preferred materials made up 57% of those procured for its products, an increase from 44% in 2022. 

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