Burberry has established two new climate goals as part of its efforts to become carbon neutral in 2022. Approved by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), the company’s targets are to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions 95% by 2022 from a 2016 base year and to reduce absolute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030 from a 2016 base year.
SBTi aids companies in determining a scientific pathway for reducing their emissions to align strategies to the Paris Agreement. Up to date, over 500 global corporations spanning 23 countries have committed in setting science-based targets.
Cynthia Cummis, Director of Private Sector Climate Mitigation at World Resources Institute (WRI), commented “The fashion industry’s environmental impact is significant and growing. To prevent catastrophic climate change, it is important that all major apparel and footwear brands set science-based targets and pursue comprehensive strategies to decarbonize their businesses.”
The targets covering greenhouse gas emissions from Burberry’s operations (scopes 1 and 2) are consistent with reductions required to keep warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement.
The scope 1 and 2 are related to the emissions from the company’s direct operations including electricity and gas consumption at their stores, offices, internal manufacturing and distribution sites. The scope 3 target focuses to the indirect emissions in their supply chain, including the impact from the sourcing of raw materials and manufacturing of finished goods.
To become carbon neutral in its own operational energy use in 2022, Burberry focuses on driving energy efficiencies, reducing absolute consumption and switching to renewable energy sources, before offsetting any remaining emissions. The company’s retail network is responsible for 76% of our direct carbon emissions. Energy targets have thus been established for all the stores globally.
To manage energy use in its supply chain, the company continues to evolve its energy reduction programme, which for wet processing facilities has been modelled on the Natural Resource Defence Council’s “Clean by Design” principles. Last year, 19 facilities were involved in the programme, with the aim of achieving at least a 5% reduction in carbon emissions. Examples of energy-saving measures include lighting replacements and process improvements.
The company also joined the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action in December 2018. One of its aims is to reduce aggregate GHG emissions across the fashion industry by 30% by 2030. Representatives of the Responsibility team actively participate in the working groups and chair one of them.
