Global Fashion Group announces 2030 sustainability strategy progress

GFG’s 2030 sustainability strategy is operationalised through 3 strategic pillars: Climate Action, Circularity & Conscious Consumption and Fair & Ethical Sourcing.

To advance Climate Action, GFG increased its Net Merchandise Value (NMV) from products made of majority sustainable materials or by using lower impact production methods to 14 per cent in 2022. The group also maintained 100 per cent green energy sourcing (in place since 2020) and delivered 1.2 million parcels by no or low emissions methods for the last mile. Further, as a result of the group’s efforts to drive carbon reduction, GFG’s emissions were 29 per cent lower in absolute terms compared to 2019, despite the business growing 49 per in the same period, GFG said in a press release.

GFG is committed to its climate reduction programme and has established ambitious targets for 2030. The company aims for 60 per cent of the group's NMV to be sourced from products made using primarily sustainable materials or lower impact production methods. Additionally, GFG plans for 85 per cent of its own-brand products to be made from environmentally preferred materials. To further reduce its environmental footprint, the company intends for 50 per cent of GFG parcels to be delivered using low emission methods.

Accelerating its commitment to Circularity & Conscious Consumption, GFG surpassed its 2030 goal to divert 90 per cent of waste from landfills, achieving a 91 per cent diversion rate in 2022, with 75 per cent of waste recycled. The company expanded its sustainable packaging programme to include all directly purchased and own-brand packaging, resulting in 82 per cent of packaging made from lower impact materials in 2022. Additionally, 47 per cent of units sold had a take-back solution, mainly in the Australia and New Zealand business.

By 2030, GFG is committed to fostering a circular fashion ecosystem and empowering customers to minimise their environmental impact. To achieve this, GFG aims to ensure that 40 per cent of NMV in their fashion assortment will come from circular products, such as recycled or preloved items. Additionally, the company plans to offer take-back solutions for 50 per cent of the products sold.

In Fair & Ethical Sourcing, GFG remains committed to ensuring decent working conditions and human rights exist throughout its supply chain. 100 per cent of the factories lists are available via open supply hub and to date GFG has rolled out independent grievance mechanisms to 14 per cent of workers in tier 1/2 supplier factories. In addition we have piloted a living wage assessment framework and trained 1,880 workers in relation to ethical trade.

By 2030, GFG aims to ensure that 100 per cent of the brands on GFG's platforms will meet their human rights standards. Second, living wage assessments will have been conducted for 100 per cent of their own-brand factories. Lastly, GFG will guarantee that 100 per cent of tier 1 workers in supplier factories have access to an independent grievance mechanism.

“GFG’s sustainability agenda has always been driven by the moral imperative to transform the fashion industry in GFG’s markets and a commitment to drive supply of, and demand for, more sustainable fashion. We introduced GFG’s 2030 sustainability strategy and a suite of new targets in 2022, and our hard work to influence the ecosystem in our markets remains very much in motion. We’re proud of our achievements to date, and continue to execute against our strategy and 2030 targets, taking our responsibility as a global fashion e-commerce business to help build a better and more sustainable future, very seriously,” Jaana Quaintance-James, chief sustainability officer, GFG, said.

GFG’s People & Planet Positive report covers six strategic pillars. In addition to the sustainability strategy the report includes the groups’ achievements and targets across, diversity inclusion & belonging, having a responsible workplace and being a responsible business. GFG continues to be on track in delivering against all of these pillars.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)