We deeply care
for our planet
Future generations will only be able to live on a healthy, intact, and biodiversity-rich planet, if we actively take care of our environment now. We are aware that the fashion industry leaves an ecological footprint . However, we want to reduce this step-by-step. Therefore, it is our goal to cut CO2 emissions to net zero, conserve resources by offering CIRCULAR products and services and protect biodiversity by fighting microplastic and leveraging nature-positive materials.
The careful use of natural resources such as water is an essential part of our environmental commitment. In addition to reduced consumption, it is also important to keep the resource as pure as possible where it is needed by means of professional chemical management.
We work to continuously reduce the environmental impact of our products. By 2025, for instance, 100% of the cotton sourced by HUGO BOSS will come from sustainable cultivation. Here, we aim to focus especially on cotton sourced from regenerative agriculture.
We improve the environmental footprint of our company's own sites, production facilities and shops, and the entire supply chain. Our goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. On the way there, we will reduce emissions in the entire value chain (Scope 1-3) by at least 50% by 2030 in comparison to 2019.
Our goal is to preserve biodiversity in our oceans and waters. A major contribution to this can be made by reducing synthetic fibers: the fewer synthetic fibers, the less microplastics in the oceans.
Preserving biodiversity and protecting the climate are particularly important to us at HUGO BOSS. For example, by using more sustainable materials and processing them in an environmentally friendly way, we want to protect valuable ecosystems and reduce the loss of biodiversity on land.
Close collaboration with partners is a prerequisite for HUGO BOSS to meet its sustainability goals. That is why we are active in a number of initiatives and associations, such as the Leather Working Group.
On our way to Net Zero
CLIMATE PROTECTION WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART SCIENCE
We are working on reducing our emissions in our own area of responsibility and along our entire value chain. To meet our ambitious climate protection goals, we are following an effective and efficient strategy. We follow scientifically based knowledge guiding us in the sustainable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions along our value chain.
Environmental protection is incorporated in all stages of the value chain by HUGO BOSS, particularly in the supply chain, where the majority of emissions take place. Clearly defined standards in relation to environmental protection and chemical and waste-water management also apply to our suppliers. When we decide to work with a supplier, we place a strong emphasis on ecological aspects and continue to monitor them during our collaboration. If it becomes clear that the agreed standards are no longer being complied with, we work together with the supplier on a corrective action plan (CAP).
STATUS QUO OF OUR GOALS
We have set ourselves ambitious targets for reducing our CO2 emissions, but with our current target achievement levels we are not yet at the level we would like to be: Instead of a reduction in emissions, we are currently seeing an increase. Despite extensive measures, our emissions in scope 1 and 2 have only fallen slightly due to the very strong growth of the company; in scope 3 and therefore across all scopes (scope 1-3 +42% compared to 2019), they have increased compared to the base year.
We will therefore intensify our measures even further. This includes working even more closely with our suppliers, as most CO2 emissions are generated in the supply chain.
Energy & Environment: Projects in our own area of responsibility
The more energy we save along our entire value chain, the less CO2 we produce. With the established GREENBUDGET program, we are encouraging environmental projects in our own area of responsibility, such as the complete conversion to LED lighting and other energy efficiency measures as well as the installation of photovoltaic systems.
Our Environmental Program for Suppliers
Clearly defined standards apply to our suppliers with regard to environmental protection which, among other things, we have laid down as mandatory in the Supplier Code of Conduct. They are covered by the environmental module of our Supply Chain Sustainability program. The principles of environmental protection set out in the HUGO BOSS Environmental Policy, which is publicly available, also apply to all of the Company's suppliers. It also takes into account current developments in the area of climate protection, for example. Components of these frameworks include, for example, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, chemicals and wastewater management, waste management and other aspects related to the environment. The most far-reaching requirements apply to suppliers whose production processes have the highest environmental and climate impact.
We check our requirements in dealing with waste, water and wastewater, energy, transportation, greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants in audits for suppliers with high environmental impact. Our foundation for analysis and and improvement of environmental protection in our supply chain forms the environmental module of the Global Social Compliance Program (GSCP) HUGO BOSS has worked on optimizing the GSCP Open Source environmental program for many years, in collaboration with the GSCP and other experts. Particular attention is paid to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as prevention of pollution and compliance with wastewater guidelines in accordance with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) initiative. Other aspects checked at suppliers include water consumption, waste generation, other environmental protection measures and the environmental management systems in place.
If a partner fails to satisfy the demands of HUGO BOSS, the company draws up corrective action plans, aimed at rectifying the insufficiencies. Extensive information about the audits conducted and their results is available in the HUGO BOSS Sustainability Report.
Climate Protection at HUGO BOSS
CONSERVING RESOURCES FOR A GREENER PLANET
If we want to safeguard our planet, we must conserve its resources. This is why we are, among other measures, reducing our water consumption with efficient water management. For instance, in our Izmir (Turkey) location, we catch surfacewater in underground water tanks. The water is then used for irrigation and for the sanitation facilities on the site. It is equally important to reduce waste and recycle. This already begins in the design process: intelligent cutting programmes calculate the optimal distribution of product parts on each piece of fabric to conserve raw materials. We opt for reusable packaging with a high proportion of recyclable materials for shipping goods, and we are also reducing the volume and use of plastic in product packaging, wherever possible. We also act in accordance with the circular economy principles when developing products by making them circular.
This is how we reduce water consumption and waste
Processes and chemicals
WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN FASHION AND BIODIVERSITY
Our business depends on the resources provided by our planet. We have an impact on biodiversity through the consumption and processing of these resources. Since it is important for us to protect the diversity of species on our planet, our actions are strictly governed by recognised standards in animal welfare, and environmental and climate protection.
The future of the fashion industry is closely linked to the future of agriculture. By working towards ensuring 100% of our natural materials originate from regenerative agriculture or closed-loop recycling by 2030, we are making a commitment to soil conservation, to ensuring this important basis of life remains healthy.
We source and process our materials as sustainably as possible. One example is our collaboration with the environmental organization Canopy, through which we are working on the sustainable sourcing of paper and cellulose fibres like viscose, modal, and lyocell. The goal is to protect old and endangered forests.
We also have a special responsibility for animal welfare, in the processing of materials with animal origins, such as leather, wool and down in our products. Our own animal welfare guidelines state our commitment to the recognized standards for protected species and animal protection.
We also give due consideration to the protection of biodiversity in our manufacturing processes at all times, for example in the use of chemicals or in energy management. And we also consider the use phase: since microplastics are released into our environment, including our oceans, when synthetic clothing is washed, we aim to reduce the use of polyester and polyamide to 0% by 2030. Requirement for this is the availability of alternative materials.
Our commitment to biodiversity
MORE SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AND LOGISTCIS
As an international company, we manufacture in many locations and supply customers all over the world with goods.
Examples of how we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in our business include environmentally friendly transportation routes, with a focus on more CO2-efficient transport such as rail and sea freight. Door-to-door transportation, avoiding detours via centralised logistics hubs, also shortens transport routes.
We use packaging to ensure our goods arrive safely at their destination. For this we choose more responsible materials, reduce the overall amount of packaging and reuse, wherever possible. This means that cartons are used multiple times in our logistics operations, and we are increasing the share of recycled plastics and FSC® certified paper in product packaging.
Logistics and packaging in detail
Our Foundation with focus on our Planet
AREAS OF OUR COMMITMENT
Strategy – Responsibility with a plan
PRODUCT – innovation meets responsibility
PEOPLE – responsibility for employees and for society, as a whole
