Sustainability

In an effort to minimize our footprint and create clean energy awareness, prAna created the Natural Power Initiative (N.P.I.).

Wind generated power is a clean, renewable source of energy which produces no greenhouse gas emissions or waste products. prAna is an ancient Sanskrit word which is often defined as pure energy, vitality of the spirit and most notably breath. It feels natural to us that prAna becomes an ambassador for wind generated power. As a matter of fact our very first t-shirt design many years ago was a simple, old fashioned windmill proclaiming ‘natural power’. Who would have thought that such a simple message could have inspired us to be better householders?

In 2005 prAna launched the Natural Power Initiative with a goal to raise awareness among consumers, partners and industry peers about the benefits of renewable energy. The very next year our commitment grew as the company offset 100 percent of the energy consumption for 250 U.S. retail locations, its corporate offices and the homes of its full-time employees. In 2007 & 2008, prAna added 100 European and 50 Canadian retailers to its program. We chose to specifically support wind farm projects in three of the largest carbon-emitting nations in the world: China, India and the U.S. as well as Canada to help support ongoing development of clean energy sources in these countries.

In 2009 prAna’s Natural Power initiative remains an integral part of our focus and is expected to prevent the emission of almost 17,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases – the equivalent of removing 3,667 cars from the road or protecting 57 square kilometers of forest.

We chose to share the N.P.I. with our retailers as a way of saying thank you to those who have grown right alongside us. We are a firm believer in being inclusive. The bottom line is we feel grateful that we have the ability and the resources to launch initiatives such as this and give thanks for the efforts of all involved. In addition we feel the New Power Initiative is one of the most effective ways to begin the conversation with you directly about the things that matter most to us.

These goals are consistent with our dream here at prAna – to use the brand as a vehicle to create positive change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Power Purchasing:

What is prAna’s Green Power Commitment?
prAna offsets the electricity used to power 250 retail locations worldwide in addition to its corporate offices and our full-time employees’ homes. We support renewable energy through a commitment to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in an amount equivalent to the energy the company uses. The RECs purchased through prAna’s Natural Power Initiative are certified through the non-profit Center for Resources Solutions’ Green-e Energy program to insure they meet the highest environmental and consumer protection standards. In an effort to generate renewable energy globally and honor the standards of the Kyoto protocols, it is our hope that prAna’s commitment to wind power will allow the brand to be used as a vehicle for positive change.

Where does the money go?
Generating electricity from wind still costs more than generating it from fossil fuel sources, in spite of exciting advancement in wind energy technology. The additional funds provided to renewable energy generators through the purchase of certificates by prAna and others provide critical additional financial incentive for project expansion and future development.

Does this mean prAna retailers run on green electricity?
No. It is not possible to send the electricity directly to store facilities or any other specific end user location because of the nature of the electricity grid. Electrons are stubborn. You can’t tell them where to go. Once renewable electricity is delivered to the electric grid, it mixes with power from other generating plants. This means the actual electricity generated from ‘green’ sources cannot be directed to a specific home or business.

prAna’s commitment assures renewable energy for our retail locations’ usage will be delivered to the electricity grid, the large pools of electricity that we all draw from for our homes and businesses.

Through our commitment and the commitment of other progressive companies, the pool of energy over time is becoming greener and cleaner. Less electricity is being created from natural gas, coal, and other nonrenewable fuels to meet demand of consumers.

Does this affect the reliability of electricity provided to stores?
No. The electricity will continue to be uninterrupted even when the wind isn’t blowing. As always, retail locations are still connected to the respective regional electricity systems.

What are the renewable energy sources involved and where are they?
The 2009 Natural Power Initiative supports the generation of clean energy sourced from new wind facilities located across the U.S. prAna supports a National Wind portfolio which is updated annually by our partner 3Degrees. The majority of the prAna commitment in 2008 was sourced from the Judith Gap Wind Farm located in Montana.

Are the renewable energy facilities considered ‘New’?
Yes. All of the facilities supported by prAna’s commitment meet both the Green-e and Environmental Protection Agency’s definition of “new”.  Historically, the facilities supported by prAna have far exceeded this definition and have begun operating as recently as 2008.  prAna utilizes its purchase to help develop new renewable energy sources. These recently constructed projects were built to meet the growing demands of progressive organizations and an increasing aware general public.

Is this program certified?
All Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) meet the Green-e standards developed by the Center for Resource Solutions, an independent non-profit organization, certifying that Green-e Certified® products are not double counted and offer incremental environmental benefits.

Environmental:

What is renewable energy?
‘Renewable energy’ is energy obtained from sources that essentially are inexhaustible, UNLIKE fossil fuels, for example, of which there are finite supplies. The non-profit Center for Resource Solutions, the main group responsible for auditing and oversight of the green power industry, considers the following types of electrical generation renewable energy: wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, and small hydroelectric (30 megawatts capacity or less).

Why is renewable energy important?
Renewable energy plays a vital role in facilitating the transition away from fossil fuels, which negatively impact our environment and are a leading cause of global warming and other environmental and health concerns. Today, only 7% of the country’s electricity supply is generated by renewable energy sources. The growth of renewable energy is partly driven by voluntary purchases of green power.

General Information:

What is Green-e?
The Green-e Program sets consumer protection and environmental standards for electricity products, and verifies that Green-e certified products meet these standards. To learn more about the Center for Resource Solutions, call 1-888-63-GREEN.

What is the US EPA Green Power Partnership?
The EPA Green Power Partnership is the federal recognition body supporting organizations that voluntarily power their businesses with renewable energy. The Green Power Partnership encourages organizations to use green power as a part of best-practice environmental management. Participation in the EPA Green Power Partnership will bring technical expertise to prAna and national recognition through awards and press announcements. PrAna is a member of the EPA Green Power Partnership.

Who is 3Degrees?
3Degrees, the provider of Renewable Energy Certificates to prAna, seeks to reduce the magnitude of climate change by building global markets that foster more sustainable businesses and communities. 3Degrees delivers customized global climate change solutions to U.S. businesses, utilities and institutions. Its expertise in sourcing verified emissions reductions and certified renewable energy certificates enables customers to reduce their carbon footprint.

What other businesses are participating in Green Power?
There are thousands of businesses supporting green power across the United States through utility green pricing programs or purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates.