Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) leads the fight against climate change with smart material choices and cleaner supply chains. The sportswear giant uses new materials to lower emissions across its business. The company’s stock bounced back—rising about 10% after strong Q4 2024 earnings and a plan to shift production to the U.S.
For investors and sustainability advocates, Nike’s approach shows how big brands can protect the planet while staying profitable. Its Flyleather and recycled polyester efforts highlight how fashion and the environment can both win.
Stock Performance and Financial Strength
Nike’s stock faced headwinds in 2025, falling about 17.4% due to tariff concerns and competition. But momentum is shifting. Following its earnings release, the stock jumped 10% in premarket trading after upbeat forecasts and plans to shift China production to the U.S.
In Q4 2025, Nike reported $11.1 billion in revenue, down 12% year-over-year but still beating analysts’ forecasts. Its net income was $211 million, or 14 cents per share, above expectations despite being lower than last year’s $1.5 billion profit. This quarter was Nike’s third under new CEO Elliott Hill, who took the helm in October 2024.
Analysts rate Nike a “Moderate Buy.” Based on 33 Wall Street estimates, the average price target of $78.11 suggests about 7% upside from current prices. Investors view Nike’s strength in sustainable products and its ability to return cash to shareholders—shown through rising dividends (23 years of growth) and share buybacks—as major positives.
How Nike’s Smart Materials Strategy Led to Emissions Drop
Nike centers its strategy on improving materials. It’s part of its “Move to Zero” effort, its sustainability initiative to achieve a zero-carbon and zero-waste future for the brand.
Its Flyleather innovation blends at least 50% recycled leather fibers. This reduces carbon emissions by 80% compared to standard leather. The material also uses 90% less water, weighs 40% less, and is five times stronger.
Meanwhile, Nike’s recycled polyester clothes come from plastic bottles. Once cleaned and processed, these bottles become yarn that cuts emissions by about 30%.
The scale is impressive: in 2024, 24% of Nike’s product materials came from recycled or renewable sources. It also uses 99% recycled rare earths in magnets and 99% recycled cobalt in batteries. Many products include 100% recycled aluminum cases. Innovations like “Nike Forward” use 75% less carbon than traditional knit fleece.
Nike’s Carbon Emissions and Net Zero Sprint
Nike publishes clear carbon goals. It aims to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 65%, and Scope 3 emissions by 30%, both by 2030 (from 2015 levels).
- It also plans to reach net zero by 2050. As of the end of 2023, Nike had already reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by around 73%, beating its target.
Scope 3 emissions—those from its supply chain—make up more than 90% of Nike’s total carbon footprint. Most of that comes from raw materials (40%) and production (30%).
The company works closely with suppliers in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia through its Supplier Climate Action Program (SCAP). This program helps factories shift to renewable energy, improve efficiency, and build climate plans.
Nike has also moved toward cleaner logistics. It has cut air freight by 80% since 2020 by aligning production with ship schedules and using ocean transport instead of planes. In Europe, Nike even piloted hydrogen-fueled barges for shipping. These actions support its aim to source 100% renewable energy at all owned and operated facilities by 2025, helping hit its net-zero goals.
Cutting Scope 3 Emissions: Nike’s Biggest Challenge
Scope 3 emissions are Nike’s biggest environmental challenge. They represent the bulk of the company’s total carbon footprint. These emissions come from Nike’s supply chain, from raw materials to product disposal. For ESG investors, Nike’s approach to managing these emissions shows the company’s long-term green strategy.
Nike Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder calls Scope 3 emissions “one of the things that keep me up at night”. The company has found two main ways to cut supply chain emissions.
- Innovating materials: It focuses on recycled polyester, rubber, and leather alternatives. It is also testing bio-based foams for shoes.
- Clean energy in factories: Through SCAP, Nike works with manufacturing partners to bring in renewable energy and reduce fossil fuels.
Raw materials make up about 40% of Nike’s carbon footprint. This makes materials innovation crucial for cutting emissions. The sportswear giant focuses on recycled polyester, rubber, and leather alternatives. The company is also looking at bio-based replacements for traditional fossil-based foams in shoes.
The second way involves energy supply chains in manufacturing regions like Vietnam and Indonesia. Nike works with suppliers to use renewable energy. It has launched the SCAP to encourage complete climate plans across its supplier network.
These efforts target the two largest emission sources—about 70% of the total—but Nike still needs more action to reach its 2030 targets and 2050 net-zero commitment.
Industry Leadership and Carbon Offsetting
Nike drives the industry forward with material and circular economy breakthroughs. Its products support longer wear and easier recycling. Examples include Flyleather shoes and Space Hippie trainers made from factory scraps and recycled plastic.
Nike Forward reduces carbon by 75% compared to traditional fleece. It also replaced harmful SF gas with nitrogen in Air Max shoes to reduce environmental impact. Nike’s circular services—like refurbished gear and product-care content—also minimize waste.
These innovations often become standard in sportswear, helping Nike maintain brand strength and win ESG-conscious consumers.
Nike focuses first on reducing carbon emissions, not buying credits. However, it may start using some carbon offsets to help reach net zero. For example, it partners with EFM to offset emissions from outbound shipping.
Nike uses global reporting frameworks like GRI and TCFD to track climate action. This provides transparency to investors and regulators.
Nike’s Path Forward: Why Investors Are Watching NKE
For ESG-focused investors, Nike presents a compelling mix of materials innovation, supply chain transformation, and financial strength. The company’s leadership in sustainable materials creates multiple value streams that benefit both environmental goals and shareholder returns.
Financially, Nike remains healthy. It returned over $1 billion to shareholders in Q2 2025 via buybacks and dividends. Its services revenue grew to $26.6 billion with 11.6% growth, adding stability to its green investments.
Moreover, Nike’s approach to Scope 3 emissions management provides insights for the consumer goods sector. The company’s success in cutting materials-related emissions while keeping product performance shows that sustainable business models can work in competitive markets.
Nike’s material innovations—particularly Flyleather, recycled polyester, and Nike Forward—help cut Scope 3 emissions and reduce carbon across its supply chain. Its strong emission reduction targets anchor its strategy for long-term change.
The company is making good progress on emissions, logistics, and supplier engagement. It shows how big brands can cut emissions while making profits—and influence entire industries to become greener.
