H&M Group has worked with sustainability for many years and 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the company’s sustainability reporting. H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB’s integrated Annual and Sustainability Report has launched and is available here. A printed version will be sent by post to shareholders that have requested it.

“I am convinced that brands placing sustainability at their core will be better prepared to meet the increasing interest from customers and demands from legislators, while making vital contributions to a better future for the people and the planet. We welcome an open dialogue and collaboration to meet the many shared challenges of our industry and our world,” says Leyla Ertur, Head of Sustainability H&M Group.

Some sustainability-linked highlights from 2022 include:

• 84% of the group’s materials are either recycled or sourced in a more sustainable way. This figure includes 23% recycled materials, taking the company closer to its’ goal of 30% by 2025.
• 7% absolute reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in scope 3 and 8% absolute reduction in scopes 1 and 2 compared to a 2019 baseline – contributing to the company’s target to reduce absolute scope 1¹, 2² and 3³ emissions by 56% by 2030.
• 44% reduction of plastic packaging compared to the 2018 baseline.
• H&M Group launched a new 2030 water strategy and reduced relative water consumption per product by 38% compared to the 2017 baseline through efficiency improvements and increased wastewater recycling.
• Trade union representation in the company’s tier 1 supplier factories went up from 37% to 42% over the last year and 34% have collective bargaining agreements in place (compared to 27% in 2021).
• 63% of workers’ representatives in tier 1 supplier factories were women and the share of women holding supervising positions was 27%.

More detailed information about the group’s sustainability work can be found in the Sustainability Disclosure 2022 here.

¹ Scope 1 covers all direct greenhouse gas emissions from H&M Group’s own operations.
² Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heat or steam used in H&M Group’s own operations.
³ Scope 3 covers other indirect emissions such as those related to sourcing raw materials, fabric production, garment manufacturing, outsourced transport-related activities and customer electricity usage.