Why has Ralph Lauren Revised its Sustainability Targets?

Ralph Lauren is a premium lifestyle designer of apparel, footwear and accessories, operating globally with more than 20,000 employees.

In 2021, the company set a goal to achieve net zero global greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, before dropping the goal in 2025.

Six months on, Ralph Lauren has set out its new sustainability strategy, resetting many of its targets.

Dropping emissions targets

The new sustainability framework focuses on near-term targets for supply chain decarbonisation and materials sourcing.

Ralph Lauren has set a target to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, compared to a 2020 baseline.

However, its new strategy does not feature any long-term decarbonisation targets, stepping backwards from its previous net zero goals.

This follows its decision to drop its 2040 net zero target in October 2025, stating that long-term goals do not drive sufficient accountability for the company.

Ralph Lauren says that its new sustainability strategy builds upon its existing progress, including reducing its emissions and cutting water use.

It also plans to introduce a new 2035 target as it develops its data collection and reporting infrastructure.

Ralph Lauren’s sustainability strategy

The company says that its revised targets are part of the next phase of its strategy, Timeless by Design 2030.

It describes the plan as a “focused, intentional approach to driving positive impact across Ralph Lauren’s value chain”.

Katie Ioanilli, Chief Global Impact & Communications Officer at Ralph Lauren, says: “By investing in the resilience of the people who shape our business, the communities we serve and the resources that make our products possible, we are reinforcing the long-term strategy and durability of Ralph Lauren.

“Aligned to Ralph’s timeless vision that inspires everything we do, this work is enduring and foundational to operating a business that stands the test of time.”

The Timeless by Design 2030 strategy focuses on partnering with organisations to cut down on its emissions and water use, as well as expanding initiatives to empower and educate its workforce across the supply chain.

It also aims to address climate and nature related impacts in its value chain, through creating products with circularity in mind.

It focuses on cotton stewardship, with partnerships to accelerate the shift towards regenerative and recycled cotton.

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A growing trend

Ralph Lauren’s move follows other companies’ removals of sustainability targets in recent years.

In 2025, athletic apparel company Lululemon adjusted and dropped some of its targets.

It said that it would not meet its target of a 50% intensity reduction in single-use plastic by 2025.

The company plans to remove this goal from future reporting and is instead reviewing its enterprise-wide packaging.

It had also set a target to procure 100% of its products containing at least 25% preferred materials by weight by 2030.

Lululemon’s 2025 report said that it will adjust this target from 100% to 90% as the development of innovative preferred materials “has proven to be complex, requiring years of investment in research and development”.

In 2024, Lululemon saw growth in its total and intensity of Scope 3 emissions, with the report saying: “As with all growth companies, it is a challenge to decrease absolute emissions across Scope 3 while executing business growth.”

Calvin McDonald, outgoing CEO at Lululemon, said: “At lululemon, our commitment to create positive change has guided our impact work over the past five years and continues to shape everything we do.

“We operate our business with integrity and purpose and remain focused on advancing impact in the areas of greatest relevance to our company and guests, and where we can deliver the most meaningful results.”