What are Leading Fashion Brands Doing About Sustainability?

Fashion - and fast fashion in particular - is an industry that faces immense criticism about its throwaway nature and questionable levels of sustainability in its supply chains.

Sustainability Magazine looks at the three largest businesses - LVMH, Hermes and Inditex - to see if progress is being made.

LVMH: sustainability and style?

The introduction to LVMH’s 2024 Social and Environmental Responsibility Report says: “LVMH’s 2024 environmental performance metrics show it is on the right track to meet its LIFE 360 targets for 2026 and 2030.”

The statement is borne out in the statistics, for the company, which ranked 6th in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 World's Most Sustainable Companies. 

The report highlights strong reporting alongside accelerated progress towards ambitious sustainability and social responsibility goals.

It also reflects an increasing focus on circular economy innovation, supply chain traceability – and substantial progress in GHG reductions, renewable energy use and biodiversity restoration.

Bernard Arnault, Chairman & CEO, says: “Our ethical principles and our commitment to upholding our social, environmental and cultural responsibilities are rooted in a simple, strongly held belief that it is by working together with our employees and all our other stakeholders – public and private institutions, suppliers and partners, NGOs and indeed other companies in our sector – that we will be able to transform challenges into opportunities to drive progress across society as a whole.”

Targets

• Zero virgin fossil-based plastic in all packaging by 2026
• No deforestation or conversion of natural ecosystems in operations and supply chain by 2025
• Regenerate or rehabilitate 5 million hectares of habitat by 2030
• Reduce water withdrawal by 30%
• 50% reduction in energy-related GHG emissions (Scopes 1 and 2, from 2019 baseline) by 2026.

Latest figures

• 55.1% reduction in scopes 1 and 2 emissions
• 32.8% reduction in Scope 3 emissions
• 71% of energy mix from renewable sources
• 3.8 million hectares regenerated, preserved or restored
• 33% recycled materials in total packaging.

Progress

• Met GHG reduction targets for scopes 1 and 2 two years ahead of schedule
• 96% of grapes from LVMH vineyards from sustainable winegrowers
• 10% decrease in industrial water requirements since 2019
• Nearly 100% traceability for diamonds, wool and leather
• Over 10 million products integrated with circularity services to extend lifecycle.

Focus ahead

• Full supply chain traceability and certification for all strategic materials by 2026–2030.
• Achieve zero virgin fossil-based plastics in all packaging
• Further progress on Scope 3 GHG reductions to hit a 55% cut by 2030
• Expand regenerative agriculture, biodiversity preservation and water management
• Continue enhancing supplier partnerships.

Hermès: how to unhitch high fashion from high carbon

Hermès, a French luxury house that produces silk scarves, clothing, perfumes, watches and jewellery, last outlined its sustainability progress in its 2024 Annual Report.

It says it ensures that all its products are “responsibly manufactured, using sustainable materials, with a frugal use of materials, an approach based on craftsmanship and by applying the principles of the circular economy in its production approach as much as possible”.

The company also outlines how it is working to reduce the carbon footprint of its activities, contributing to the transformation of its supply chain practices and favouring less emitting practices in its direct operations.

In terms of its products and services, it says: “Sustainability, the quality of the raw materials used and the quality of the savoir‑faire are intrinsic characteristics of Hermès’ products.”

Axel Dumas, CEO, says: “Hermès places responsibility and sustainability in all its actions and creations. Each métier applies the principles of eco-design to optimise the use of materials so as to reduce waste, promote reuse and recycling, and be part of a circular economy approach.”

Targets

• Reduce scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50.4% by 2030 (against 2018 baseline)
• Reduce Scope 3 emissions intensity by 58.1% by 2030
• 100% renewable electricity for operations by 2025
• 100% renewable energy by 2030
• Commitment to global carbon neutrality by 2050.

Latest figures

• Reduction of scopes 1 and 2 emissions by 63.4% compared to 2018
• Scope 3 emissions intensity reduced by 50%
• 98% of electricity sourced from renewables
• Improved scores: CDP ‘A’ for climate, A- for water, A for forests.

Progress

• Exceeded science-based targets for direct GHG emissions reductions ahead of schedule
• Increased supplier engagement and mapped supply chain for ethics, sustainability and transparency
• Significant expansion of circular economy initiatives.

Focus ahead

• Achieve 100% renewable energy in all operations by 2025/2030
• Phase out fossil fuels by 2030
• Deepen supply chain transparency, traceability and responsible sourcing
• Formalise climate resilience, adaptation strategies, and broaden nature-based solutions.

Inditex: driving decarbonisation of the supply chain

Inditex is a fashion and lifestyle business that owns seven brands – Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho and Zara Home.

Its 2024 Sustainability Report is detailed and lengthy, with forewords by both its Chairperson and its CEO.

Oscar Garcia Maceiras, CEO, says the directions the fashion world will take are “difficult to predict”, but the company’s results are “very positive”.

He highlights how Inditex made progress in the use of lower impact and recycled fibres and tightened its ties with promising startups specialising in next-generation fibres.

Arguably the most crucial aspect of the report is its focus on Inditex’s Supply Chain Transformation Plan, launched in 2023.

Oscar says: “We are leveraging that plan to support and advise our suppliers and manufacturers so that they can meet more ambitious requirements around water management, chemical substances, waste and emissions.

As a result of this and other initiatives, we made further progress towards a low-carbon economy.”

Targets

• Net-zero emissions across value chain by 2040
• 90% cut in scope 1 and 2 and 90% cut in Scope 3 by 2040
• Interim target: 90% scopes 1 and 2 and 50% Scope 3 reduction by 2030
• 100% lower-impact textile fibres by 2030.

Latest figures

• 73% of textile fibres were lower impact in 2024
• 39% were recycled fibres in 2024
• Supply chain water consumption down 25% since 2018
• 90% of ocean freight transported using alternative fuels.

Progress

• Supply Chain Environmental Transformation Plan (2024–2027) rolled out, requiring all key factories to have decarbonisation plans, annual emissions cuts and strict waste/water/chemical management.
• All cotton sourced from socially and environmentally certified producers.
• Sustainability training for all designers and innovation partnerships
• Zara PreOwned expanded, promoting circularity.

Focus ahead

• Complete shift to only lower-impact fibres by 2030
• Scale up next-gen recycling technologies and innovation partnerships
• Decarbonise the entire supply chain with mandatory renewable energy, waste and water reduction plans for all suppliers
• Continue to reduce Scope 3 emissions
• Advance biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, and responsible chemical use.