Fashion is one of the most visible industries on our planet. What we wear defines our tastes. But the ability to express our style and creativity has come at a price. Today, the fashion industry produces 10% of carbon emissions and is the second largest consumer of water on the planet.
As the world grapples with climate change, some designers are leading the fashion industry to act for nature. One of them is Marco Bizzarri, CEO of Gucci, one of the world's oldest and most iconic brands.
What is Gucci doing to Make its Supply Chain More Sustainable?
The majority of greenhouse gas emissions (90%) are created at the beginning of the supply chain. This is true for all fashion companies. Gucci works closely with its suppliers to ensure traceable and sustainable sourcing at every step of the chain, with its factories carrying LEED certification for its workplace ethics as well as having attained ISO 14001 certification regarding its environmental management.
These initiatives have resulted in significant reductions. Gucci's 2019 environmental profit and loss analysis show that we are on track to achieve our 2025 sustainability goal of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Since 2015, Gucci has achieved a 39% reduction in its footprint across the supply chain, relative to growth. It takes the remaining emissions across the supply chain and offsets them with nature-based solutions that protect important forests and biodiversity around the world. By doing this, Gucci has achieved full carbon neutrality as of 2018.
Nature-based solutions account for around 30% of the climate solution. It’s crucial that the business community recognizes this and incorporates them as part of their climate strategies. Forests, for example, remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which helps mitigate climate change. Unless they are protected, they will continue to decline.
Gucci offsets its remaining emissions each year through United Nations REDD+ projects, which help mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity and provide economic and social benefits to local communities. This demonstrates how companies can implement direct solutions to hold themselves accountable for all their emissions.
Gucci Receives Recognition for Promoting Regenerative Agriculture
This past September, Gucci was awarded the Climate Action Award at the CNMI (Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana) Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022 ceremony, which closed Milan Fashion Week for the spring/summer 2023 season. Bizzarri took to the stage to accept the award.
It was organized by the National Chamber of Italian Fashion in collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Trade and Investment Agency, and the City of Milan. The CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022 recognize individuals and companies that, in the Italian and international fashion world, stand out for their commitment to sustainability.
This can vary from promoting the circular economy, to their vision and innovation, their commitment to craftsmanship, their support for diversity, human rights and social justice, and the fight against climate change. In addition to two special mentions for Demetra/Gucci Off the Grid in the Groundbreaker Award category and CHIME FOR CHANGE's Philanthropy Society Award, Gucci received the Climate Action Award.
The award recognizes Gucci's journey to promote regenerative agriculture and highlights the NATIVA™ Regenerative Agriculture Program launched by Gucci in Uruguay in collaboration with Chargeurs Luxury Fibers, one of the world's largest wool producers.