Swedish brand H&M discusses global climate crisis at UN's Stockholm+50

To jointly work on transformative actions and exchange tangible examples of multi stakeholder collaboration to mitigate the climate crisis, H&M Group’s CEO Helena Helmersson, H&M Group’s head of sustainability, Leyla Ertur and H&M Group’s head of public affairs, Pernilla Halldin, participated in several panel conversations during Stockholm+50.

By further sharpening the group’s climate goals and committing to achieving net-zero by 2040 and having a net positive impact on biodiversity, H&M Group has once more emphasised the significance of its climate work as a fundamental component for long-term business success, the company said in a media release.

Key actions include the long-term phase out of coal from the supply chain and an absolute emission reduction of 56 per cent of scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030. The transition to renewable energy and improved energy efficiency, the work to restore biodiversity and to transform to a circular fashion industry will also contribute to reducing the company’s carbon footprint. Already today, 80 per cent of the materials sourced for H&M Group’s products are either recycled or sourced in a more sustainable way. The clear goal is to reach 100 per cent by 2030. By the end of 2021, the share of recycled materials used has tripled from 5.8 per cent to 17.9 per cent.

Leyla Ertur, head of sustainability H&M Group, said, “Having biodiversity as a priority in their sustainability agenda, WWF, H&M Group and IKEA work together to advance corporate action on biodiversity and to contribute to the policy discussions leading upto the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in Kunming later this year.”

“Platforms such as Stockholm+50 have the power to accelerate the necessary industry-wide change. I’m looking forward to further engaging with participating institutions and our industry peers on our journey towards a more sustainable fashion industry,” said Helena Helmersson, CEO H&M Group.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)