Gucci publishes environmental and social impact report

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Jun 16, 2021

Gucci is doubling down more than ever on its corporate responsibility commitments. In the year of its 100th anniversary, luxury group Kering's flagship brand has published its first Impact Report. As explained by a press release from the Italian label, the report is a summary of its commitments and objectives, as well as of the "actions taken by the House to generate positive change for people and planet," with a particular emphasis on its progress in environmental matters. 

Gucci began to take interest in its environmental impact in 2011 and started publishing its Environmental Profit & Loss (EP&L) account in 2015, before making its results and methodology public in 2019 via a dedicated site – equilibrium.gucci.com – which was completely revamped last year.

The house had established a goal to reduce its total environmental impact by 40% and its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% between 2015 and 2025. However, the company claims to have already achieved reductions of 44% and 47%, respectively, between 2015 and 2025, thereby hitting its targets four years ahead of schedule. 

Between 2019 and 2020 alone, the brand's greenhouse gas emissions fell 17%. Gucci also revealed that it has achieved 93% renewable energy consumption in its global operations, including stores, offices, warehouses and factories, as well as 95% traceability of its materials. 

Beyond its environmentally focused commitments, the report also outlines the initiatives taken by the company over the course of the last year to be more inclusive and responsible. In terms of gender parity, for example, the brand says that 57.4% of its management positions around the world are filled by women.

The company further highlighted that it has raised $17.5 million to support 442 projects working towards gender equality and awareness in 89 countries, as part of its "Chime for Change" project, which involves 28.379 women. Another of the brand's initiatives, this time in North America, saw Gucci launch a $5 million fund "to promote social good and racial justice in diverse communities."

"Our inaugural Gucci Equilibrium Impact Report illustrates our actions and commitments
to be inclusive, sustainable, responsible and accountable in everything we do. We have surpassed our target to reduce our total footprint four years early, an achievement that underlines our commitment
to transformative change," said Gucci president and CEO Marco Bizzarri in a release. "It is our mission to be part of the solution for a better tomorrow."