What Are H&M Group’s SBTN-Verified Land Impact Targets?

In 2025, global fashion retailer H&M Group achieved sustainability milestones including a 41% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.

This follows its climate plan, which focuses on improving energy efficiency, sourcing renewable energy and optimising its logistics.

H&M Group has established science-based targets for its impact on land, which have been verified by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN).

H&M Group’s science-based targets

H&M Group has adopted three core land targets, which are defined by the SBTN:

• No conversion of natural ecosystems: target 100% sustainably sourced material for 2030 and strengthen risk management processes
• Land footprint reduction: increase the share of recycled materials to 50% by 2030
• Landscape engagement: continue to financially support H&M Group and WWF’s partnership projects.

H&M Group aims to reduce the absolute agricultural land footprint from upstream impacts 3.85% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.

The company has previously worked to reduce its environmental impact through materials transition and decarbonisation initiatives.

Its ambition is for all of its materials to either be recycled or sustainably sourced by 2030.

It has a strong focus on biodiversity and agricultural practices that help improve soil health.

Leyla Ertur, Chief Sustainability Officer at H&M Group, says: “The threats and depletion of nature also impact the resources our industry relies on – soil health, water cycles, biodiversity.

“By committing to SBTN’s land targets, we anchor our decisions in science and strengthen our ability to safeguard ecosystems together with our supply chain, farmers and communities.”

Accountability in climate action

With these new targets, H&M Group is following SBTN’s ARRRT framework: Avoid, Reduce, Restore, Regenerate, Transform.

The Group is investing in agriculture projects to counteract biodiversity loss and protect nature while strengthening communities, supply chains and its business, working towards its goal of preventing the conversion of ecosystems from their natural state.

Through this work, it aims to make its business more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

H&M Group has aligned itself with SBTN’s framework and is validating its work through the Network’s Accountability Accelerator.

This helps H&M to clarify its agenda on biodiversity and ecosystems, while strengthening the long-term resilience of its materials sourcing and production processes.

Erin Billman, CEO of the Science Based Targets Network, says: “By adopting land science-based targets, H&M Group is taking a measurable, science-driven step toward addressing global nature loss.

“By engaging with a rigorous framework to reduce land-related pressures and support improved outcomes in priority sourcing landscapes, H&M Group is demonstrating how companies in complex global value chains can translate ambition into a clear, accountable pathway for action.”

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Partnership with WWF

H&M Group has formed a partnership with WWF, where it is engaged with two projects to advance its land targets.

It supports the Regenerative, Ecologically and Economically viable agriculture (REEVA) project in Central India and the Regenerative Wool Project in the Eastern Cape Drakensberg Grasslands of South Africa.

The company has identified cotton and wool as a priority, where it aims to support the transition to agricultural practices that help improve soil health, water retention and biodiversity.

Cris Close, Deputy Chief Conservation Officer at WWF International and SBTN Advisory Board Member, says: “Through our long-standing partnership, WWF and H&M Group have pushed the boundaries for corporate environmental leadership – they are proof that companies can – and must – become agents of regeneration.

“By adopting SBTN-validated land targets, H&M Group’s commitment raises the bar for the entire fashion sector and sends a strong signal to all companies to accelerate their own journey toward a nature-positive future.”

With its targets, H&M Group plans to contribute to ecosystem regeneration by adopting alternative agricultural practices and improved grazing management planning.

It will continue to strengthen its requirements for its suppliers to help ensure that its material sourcing is free from deforestation and ecosystem conversion.

It is working on further reducing its agricultural footprint by increasing the share of recycled content in its products and will continue to work with local organisations on restoration projects.