Burberry gains SBTi approval for net zero emissions target

Burberry becomes the first luxury fashion brand to receive approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), to pursue its net-zero emissions goal.

The announcement confirms that Burberry’s ambitions to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 are founded on the most recent findings in climate science and satisfy the requirement to prevent global warming to 1.5°C in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

Burberry’s net-zero goal is supported by a number of pledges for emissions under scopes one, two, and three. Scopes one and two encompass emissions produced by Burberry’s internal activities, such as energy and gas used in retail locations, production facilities, and office buildings. Scope three concerns emissions throughout the extended supply chain of the brand, such as energy use by manufacturing and material sourcing partners.

Burberry has made a short-term commitment to cut absolute scope one and two GHG emissions by 95% by 2023 from a base year of 2017, and absolute scope three GHG emissions by 46.2% by 2030 from a base year of 2019.

The clothing company has made a long-term commitment to reduce absolute scope one and two GHG emissions by at least 95% from 2023 through 2040 compared to a base year of FY2017 and absolute scope three GHG emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to a base year of 2019.

The British luxury company Burberry has a long-standing commitment to reducing its direct and indirect environmental impacts and making a difference. Burberry’s net-zero emissions aim builds on that commitment. Currently, Burberry’s global operations are carbon neutral, all of the power it uses comes from renewable sources, and practically every product it produces has positive social or environmental effects.

Caroline Laurie, VP of Corporate Responsibility at Burberry, said that the Research Based Targets program plays a key role in ensuring that aspirations stated by businesses are in accordance with the most recent climate science and will assist to solving the climate emergency.

Laurie said that they’re dedicated to continuing to engage with their suppliers and partners to accelerate the adoption of more sustainable practices. They continue to challenge themselves to promote measurement, improvement, and transparency throughout their operations. This, they hope, will inspire others to follow suit.

CEO of the SBTi Luiz Amaral said that climate science informs them that in order to reach global net-zero and stop the most harmful consequences of climate change, they need quick and profound emissions reductions. Burberry’s net-zero goals are commensurate with the seriousness of the climate situation and serve as a strong model for other companies to follow.