Today, international fashion retailer and RE100 member H&M announced that it will be joining The Climate Group’s EP100 initiative, that encourages influential businesses to double the economic output from every unit of energy consumed.
Through RE100, H&M is already committed to 100% renewable power and has been making fast progress towards this goal; in 2016 the company achieved more than 90% renewable power for its global operations.
By 2030, H&M plans to build all its future stores using 40% less energy per square meter compared to those constructed today. Within its stores, the retailer aims to invest in new technologies for lighting, heating, ventilation and air con systems. Additionally, by 2025 the retailer aims to have 100% of its supplier partners enrolled in energy efficiency programs.
On joining EP100, Pierre Borjesson, Global Sustainability Business Expert, H&M, said “Using less energy and increasing our economic output is a fundamental part of our strategy.
“We have been long working to reduce our climate impact and recently launched our new commitment to achieve a climate positive value chain by 2040. This means H&M will support reductions of greenhouse gases to a larger extent than what our value chain emits. Two of our key priorities are leadership in energy productivity and using renewable energy through the value chain.”
Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive of The Climate Group, said “It is great to see a multinational such as H&M taking a leading role in enhancing energy efficiency by joining EP100. Already a member of our RE100 initiative that commits businesses to renewable power, H&M is going one step further in joining EP100 in enhancing its commitment to climate initiatives.
“We hope that H&M’s leadership in this area can inspire other companies across sectors to embrace energy productivity initiatives, to align economic growth with environmental sustainability.”
Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100 at The Climate Group echoed this praise: “This is a smart business move from H&M; by taking a dual approach to energy it not only makes it easier to achieve 100% renewable power but saves money too.”
RE100 and EP100 are designed to work hand in hand to help leading businesses switch to renewables and use energy more productively. H&M joins RE100 members Land Securities, Dalmia Cement and Swiss Re who have all committed to both initiatives.