Walpole releases the first UK luxury company sustainability report

Following up on its one-year manifesto, Walpole, the trade body that represents British luxury firms, has issued a sustainability report.

Walpole released its sustainability manifesto in January 2020, with funding from strategic partner McKinsey & Company, with the goal of inspiring its clients’ companies to achieve a net carbon and zero waste future.

Burberry, Mulberry, Dunhill, Harrods, The Savoy, Johnstons of Elgin, and Chivas Brothers, among many others luxury companies, have met frequently in Walpole-facilitated working groups to share their passion, experience, and expertise, and to galvanise collective action that is propelling the luxury sector forward in achieving this important goal.

Striking for carbon neutrality, sustainable packaging creativity, responsible procurement and traceability, and circularity – expanding product life, upcycling, restoring, and using cleaner, sustainable products – are all ideas shared by apparel and accessory companies.

The  CEO of Walpole, Helen Brocklebank said that the British luxury industry, which has always been dedicated to high quality and strong values that run through the DNA of luxury brands, has placed sustainability at the top of its agenda. Over the last year, Walpole members have centred their dedication and prioritised their sustainability plans, coming together in our working groups to share their experience and insight, as well as to jointly generate new innovation and solve challenges that stand in their way. They’ve made great progress. This is, without a doubt, a path that all companies must take. Since cooperation is important across industries and regional boundaries, the luxury sector has a wealth of expertise and is eager to share it.

Aligned to the UN Sustainability Goals, Walpole’s Sustainability Manifesto, seeks to set industry best practices aspirations in sustainability for the British luxury sector with 4 overarching principles which are: Lead the transition towards a CIRCULAR ECONOMY; Advocate equal and respectful WORKING CONDITIONS; Guide PARTNERS AND SUPPLIERS towards sustainable practices; and Safeguard the environment and NATURAL RESOURCES.

Multiple opportunities exist to continue the journey and collaborate to accelerate and amplify impact, building on the luxury sector’s sustainability progress to date. To begin, luxury brands have a real opportunity to improve their role in product longevity by focusing more on take-back schemes, providing repair tutorials, and pursuing brand-sanctioned resale in order to accelerate the shift to a circular economy. If companies continue to adopt products that contribute positively to the environment and nourish biodiversity, the next decade will see the rise of a plethora of creative materials.

Walpole represents over 270 luxury brands in the United Kingdom, including Net-a-Porter, Alexander McQueen and Burberry, Harrods, and Bremont Watches.