McCartney.
Representatives said its objectives draw on the Science-Based Targets (SBT1) initiative, which focuses on
action in three essential areas for safeguarding the planet – stopping global warming, restoring biodiversity
and protecting the oceans.
“The idea of engaging at the G7 level is also around getting the commitment at the governmental level to
address these types of concerns with a sense of urgency,” Michael Beutler, director of sustainability
operations at Kering, told Vogue Business last month.
The meeting comes months after French President Emmanuel Macron called on Pinault to bring together a
group of brands to set unified sustainability goals for the sector. “We have to work collectively,” Pinault told
the Copenhagen Fashion Summit in May. “It’s about a few leaders who are willing to put themselves in an
uncomfortable situation to force themselves to move.”
In recent months, Pinault has worked to bring together a coalition of industry leaders wanting to come
together and set goals to reduce the industry’s negative impact on the environment. “The mandate is really
to move the sector,” Marie-Claire Daveu, Kering’s chief sustainability officer, added. “The G7 is a starting
point.”
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of
luxury group Kering at the Copenhagen Fashion
Summit 2019 (Getty)Kering has been a key leader when it comes to addressing the industry’s sustainability issues. In May, the
global luxury fashion company – which manages brands including Saint Laurent, Gucci and Balenciaga –
published new animal welfare standards that included a list of requirements for the treatment of cattle,
calves, sheep and goats throughout their entire lives, as well as guidelines for abattoirs. In addition, it
pledged to stop hiring models under the age of 18 on its catwalk and in advertising campaigns.
“We are conscious of the influence exerted on younger generations in particular by the images produced by
our houses,” Pinault said at the Copenhagen summit. “We believe that we have a responsibility to put
forward the best possible practices in the luxury sector and hope to create a movement that will encourage
others to follow.”
The policy will come into effect early next year, in time for the autumn/winter collections.
Last month, Inditex announced a pledge to use purely sustainable fabric in its clothing by 2025 as part of a
wider strategy focussing on sustainability. The company aims for all cotton, linen and polyester used by the
group to be organic, sustainable or recycled by 2025. “Sustainability is a neverending task in which
everyone here at Inditex is involved and in which we are successfully engaging all of our suppliers,” said
chief executive Pablo Isla.
Moreover, the company stated that 80 per cent of the energy used in the company’s running (stores,