// Primark joins United Nations’ Fashion Charter to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by by 30% by 2030
// Primark has already implemented several processes across its manufacturing, distribution, and store operations to identify and reduce its carbon footprin
// Primark said it is already making “significant headway” by tackling emissions generated by the use of raw fabrics and materials
Primark has joined the United Nations’ Fashion Charter which will see it tackle emissions from across its entire value chain, including beyond its own operations, or ‘Scope 3 emissions’, which make up the vast majority of its carbon footprint.
The Charter is recognised for its net-zero ambition and commitment to a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The retailer is committed to analysing and setting a decarbonisation pathway drawing on methodologies from the Science-Based Targets Initiative.
READ MORE: Primark taps Topshop for new trading director Jon Bennett
Primark has already implemented several processes across its manufacturing, distribution, and store operations to identify and reduce its carbon footprint.
To reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions Primark’s facilities management and store operations teams are constantly looking for practical measures to reduce the retailer’s energy use.
Primark said it is already making “significant headway” by tackling emissions generated by the use of raw fabrics and materials, which are its largest source of GHG.
It is doing this among other things by doubling the number of its products made using recycled materials to 40 million items, training cotton farmers in more environmentally friendly practices since 2013, partnering with charities since 2010 to donate unsold products from its stores, and operating an in-store recycling scheme for customers in the UK so that they can donate their unwanted clothes, textiles, shoes and bags to be recycled, reused or repurposed.
Nevertheless, Primark is also supporting its suppliers’ factories to implement the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s Higg Facility Environmental Module tool to monitor the energy usage and carbon emissions in the factories where Primark’s products are made.
“We are delighted to be joining the United Nations’ Fashion Charter and are committing to cutting our emissions across our value chain,” Primark Ethical Trade and Environmental Sustainability Director Katharine Stewart said.
“As a global fashion retailer, we are passionate about finding solutions to the challenges of climate change and recognise that there is always more to do.
“While we have big ambitions to make our business more sustainable, we also know that even our small changes can make a big difference, simply because of our size.
“And we want to do all this without passing the cost on to our customers, as we believe that sustainable fashion shouldn’t come with a big price tag.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
