It’s our Collective responsibility to reduce our impact on the outdoor spaces we love. So we launched an ambitious project with Protect Our Winters Switzerland to create a new forward-thinking ski: The Agent 4.0 POW Collab.
If you look closely at the composition of most skis you will find wood cores, glass or carbon fiber laminates, steel edges, ABS sidewalls, polypropylene bases and petroleum-based waxes. Molding all of these elements into premium skis requires large machinery, which in turn require a lot of energy to operate. Depending on where a ski is made, this energy may come from coal—the highest CO2-emitting source of energy.
In partnering with our friends at Protect Our Winters we aimed to develop a unique eco-conscious ski that is fully aligned with the non-profit’s climate recommendations as well as Faction’s need for high-end quality and performance. And so the The Agent 4.0 POW Collab Ski was born.
10% of sales to POW
Our wood cores come from certified sustainable forestry.
It is important to us to avoid, and call attention to the unsustainable over-exploitation of forests. Between 2015—2017, global loss of tropical forests contributed around 4.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year—about 8-10% of annual human emissions of carbon dioxide. As such, we carefully screen and evaluate our suppliers based on their social and environmental impact.
We replaced our traditional epoxy resin with a bio-based resin.
Our bio-based resin—which binds the wood cores, laminates, edges and bases together—is composed of 30% natural materials. Traditional epoxy resins are petroleum based. We’re proud to be taking a significant step away from petrol.
We integrated recycled materials into the bases of The Agent 4.0 POW Collab Ski
This reduces the ecological impact of our bases by 75%. From source to snow and considering every step in between, the new The Agent 4.0 POW Collab Ski has a -13% impact reduction on climate as compared to the previous, equivalent model, with the same—if not enhanced—performance on snow (analysis performed by the third party agency, AIR Coop.) The downhill performance of the The Agent 4.0 POW Collab Ski is proven to be absolutely first-rate. It’s 10% lighter and 10% softer than the in-line Agent 4.0, helping the uphill performance.
10% of sales of this ski will benefit POW Switzerland
This will help finance the organization’s incredible work on climate action. As we’re gearing up for the next winter, so is POW. This year will be all about transport and mobility Did you know, the biggest Greenhouse Gas polluter related to skiing is the car journey to and from the mountain? In response, POW will launch a campaign to mobilize the Outdoor Community to reduce their mobility-related emissions when going skiing. Stay tuned! We’re excited to support them in this campaign.
And we’re not stopping there.
We are moving the majority of our production to a factory with 100% green energy, to make a significant step towards reducing the environmental impact of each pair of skis produced.
ABOUT THE ARTIST: SIMON CHARRIERE
The artwork on the The Agent 4.0 POW Collab is by Faction athlete and POW Switzerland ambassador Simon Charriere. A talented freeskier, artist and dedicated environmentalist from Fribourg, Switzerland, Simon is now based out of the French freeride-mecca of Chamonix. When he’s not crushing couloirs and cliffs in the jagged peaks of his local resort, Simon travels around the world in search of powder and inspiration, sharing his passions through photos, illustrations, and animation films.
MOVING AS A COLLECTIVE
The The Agent 4.0 POW Collab Ski is our first impactful and successful ‘experiment’ with eco-conscious ski manufacturing. This ski represents our steadfast commitment to incorporating modern, less-impactful materials and methods into our manufacturing processes. As we continue on this path towards ever-friendlier construction methods and supply chain considerations, the The Agent 4.0 POW Collab Ski stands as the catalyst for continued innovations and improvements, for the cutting-edge technology that will soon work its way into our wider ski line-up.
We’re tremendously proud of what we’ve done with the The Agent 4.0 POW Collab Ski. But we recognize that the job is not done. More than ever, we need to reduce our collective impact on the climate. We need to rethink our approach to the mountains.
Transport to the mountains has a major impact in our sector.
Before jumping into your car alone to go skiing, think about carpooling, taking the train or the bus. Keep in mind: driving 100km in your car has the same ecological impact as producing one of our The Agent 4.0 POW Collab Skis.
The gear we choose to use has a big impact on the climate.
As we grow our eco-conscious offerings and increase our efforts to improve our supply chain, on your side you might think about ways to keep your gear for longer, renting your gear, sharing it with friends, or buying second hand. Be sure to pay attention to labels and consider eco-conscious alternatives when you buy outdoor gear. Also, discuss eco-conscious gear with your friends and local retailers.
Our journey has only recently begun. As we move forward, we need you by our side. We are a collective, and acting together is the only way to reduce our impact on the climate.
WATCH SIMON & THE SKIS IN ACTION
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