Apparel Online India Magazine May 2nd Issue 2018 | Page 15

SUSTAINABILITY
“We are, of course aware that our strategy is very
ambitious and the solutions needed to achieve some
of our goals are simply not in place yet. However, a
company of our size and scale has a responsibility as
well as a great opportunity to lead the change towards
a more sustainable fashion and design industry.”
– Anna Gedda, Head, Sustainability, H&M Group
India: High-risk country
H&M sets an expectation of mutual
trust and transparency in all its
business relationships. Its Code of
Ethics (CoE) for business partners
underpins this, as does building
awareness, providing education and
maintaining a no-gift policy. Any
kind of bribery (including facilitation
payments) will always be addressed
and may lead to the termination of
the business relationship. By taking
a firm line on refusing to accept any
kind of contribution or bribery, it aims
to encourage others in the markets to
share its values. “We are focusing on
H&M
in future…
• By 2020, H&M will use
100% sustainably sourced
cotton (certified organic
cotton, Better Cotton, and/
or recycled cotton) which is
currently 59%.
• By 2030, it aims to create
a climate neutral supply
chain for its Tier-I and Tier-II
suppliers.
• By 2030, H&M will use
only 100% recycled or
other sustainably sourced
materials; in 2017 it was 35
per cent.
• By 2030, it will achieve
100% traceability of input
chemicals.
high-risk countries such as Cambodia,
Bangladesh, India and Russia where we
provide training and awareness-building
activities to both employees and
business partners,” the report reads.
In India, it ran workshops with suppliers
and Government representatives to
encourage renewable energy and
identify potential ways of moving
forward. A prefeasibility study on
rooftop solar projects was also a part
of the
energy-related initiatives.
Water Management
In 2017, H&M increased the amount of
rainwater it harvested to 13.1 million
litres (2016: 12.6 million litres; 2015: 12.8
million litres; and in 2014: 12.3 million
litres). In 2017, it found that its’ supplier
factories sourced 50% of water from the
ground, 17% from surface water, 12%
from municipal water, 12% recycled
water, 9% from tank water and 0% from
rainwater. In India, its suppliers use 5%
municipal water, 50% ground water, 27%
tank water and 13% recycled water.
Team Sustainability
H&M’s global sustainability department
consists of more than 30 experts
responsible for planning, setting
strategies, targets and follow-up
procedures to ensure that sustainability
work is carried out systematically.
In 20 production markets of H&M, it
employs more than 150 professionals
working specifically in sustainability
and they work directly with business
partners to assess their performance
against Sustainability Commitment and
support them in making improvements
through capacity building programmes
and activities.
GOTS India seminar
to focus on key
sustainability
issues
A day-long seminar titled ‘Sustainability as Key to
Business Efficiency’ will be organised by Global Organic
Textile Standard (GOTS) on May 29, 2018 in Coimbatore.
GOTS has been organising such international and regional
events since 2015. ‘GOTS India Seminar 2018’ is the third
such event in India. Earlier, events in Mumbai and New
Delhi were highly appreciated by participants and the
industry as a whole.
The seminar will be looking at three topics majorly, which
include –
Sustainability in Fashion Industry: What are the current
trends in eco-fashion domain? What are the priorities and
experiences of conscious buyers? How are Indian and
international brands integrating organic textiles in their
product offerings?
Secondly, Chemical and Environmental Compliance: What
are the latest requirements in GOTS? How does it keep
pace with technical research and market requirements?
GOTS has also announced the appointment of
Claudia Kersten and Rahul Bhajekar in its leadership
team. “I am extremely pleased that my successor has
been accomplished with these two top executives
leading the Global Standard GmbH. I am confident that
together they will ensure GOTS’ leading position and
successfully face challenges,” said Herbert Ladwig, who
led GOTS as MD from its formation in 2002 and has
been instrumental for the organisation’s success. Ladwig
will continue to serve as the policy and legal advisor.
What are the current trends in environmental
compliances? What needs to be tested? Where should it
be tested?
Third and final subject will be Future of Compliances
and Standards: What are the latest challenges? How
are other stakeholders in the market setting their
requirements? How can organisations collaborate to
reduce double working?
Stakeholders and those associated with the organic
textile supply chain will contemplate positive initiatives
to achieve business efficiency through sustainable
practices during the event as consumers have now become
more aware of the environmental cost of fast-fashion.
It has been predicted that 2018 will be the year when
sustainability will become the mainstream focus. The
event shall equip delegates with best practices and know-
how relating to the biggest opportunities and challenges,
helping to transform their supply chains to achieve
efficiency through sustainability.
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