// Burberry adds two new science-based sustainability targets to its responsibility strategy
// The targets pertain to greenhouse gas emissions and will be measured against 2016 data
// By 2022 Burberry will reduce its scope one and two greenhouse gas emissions by 95%
// By 2030 it will reduce its scope three greenhouse gas emissions by 30%
Burberry has added two new science-based sustainability targets to its responsibility strategy, which will see the retailer strive to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Building on its existing responsibility strategy to 2022 – which includes targets to become carbon neutral in its operational energy use – Burberry’s new goals approved by the Science Based Target initiative include reducing absolute scope one and two greenhouse gas emissions 95 per cent by 2022.
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Its other goal is to reduce absolute scope three greenhouse gas emissions 30 per cent by 2030.
Both targets will be measured against data recorded in 2016.
The scope one and two target focuses on emissions from Burberry’s direct operations, including electricity and gas consumption at its stores, offices, internal manufacturing and distribution sites.
Meanwhile, the scope three target relates to indirect emissions in its extended supply chain, which includes the impact from the sourcing of raw materials and manufacturing of finished goods.
Burberry said it was carbon neutral across the Americas region, EMEA retail stores and its UK operations.
It added that it was on track to achieve its commitment as a member of RE100 to go 100 per cent renewable, as it obtains 58 per cent of its total energy from renewable sources.
During 2018/19, Burberry said it achieved a 43 per cent reduction in market-based emissions compared to a 2016/17.
“For the first time, we are setting targets for greenhouse gas emissions that apply to our extended supply chain, which is a significant addition to our already ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral in our own operational energy use by 2022,” Burberry VP of corporate responsibility Pam Batty said.
“Changing the system requires collaboration, and we will be working closely with our supply chain partners to take the action needed to stay on track and achieve our goals.”
Cynthia Cummis, private sector climate mitigation director at World Resources Institute (WRI), one of the Science Based Targets initiative partners, said: “Burberry’s ambitious science-based target demonstrates the leadership and innovation needed to succeed in a zero-carbon world.
“To prevent catastrophic climate change, it’s important that all major apparel and footwear brands set science-based targets and pursue comprehensive strategies to decarbonize their businesses.”
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