Sweden's H&M nears 2025 sustainability goals ahead of schedule

H&M has published its 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report, reporting that 89 per cent of the materials used in its products during the year were either recycled or sustainably sourced. The share of recycled materials alone reached 29.5 per cent, bringing the company within striking distance of its 30 per cent target for 2025—one year ahead of schedule.

The fashion giant also made progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a 41 per cent reduction across scope 1 and 2, and a 24 per cent reduction in scope 3, compared to a 2019 baseline.

In a leap toward plastic reduction, H&M Group reported a 54 per cent decrease in plastic packaging since 2018—more than double its 25 per cent reduction target set for 2025, the group said in a press release.

Progress was also made in energy transformation across its supply chain. The number of garment factories (tiers 1 and 2) using on-site coal boilers dropped to 27 factories, down from 46 in 2023 and 118 in 2022. The company announced it would now extend its monitoring to tier 3 suppliers, aiming to completely phase out on-site coal use by 2026.

In terms of water conservation, H&M Group achieved a 9.5 per cent reduction in freshwater consumption at tier 1 and 2 garment suppliers, moving closer to its 10 per cent reduction goal from a 2022 baseline.

The company’s second-hand initiatives also expanded, with 26 markets now offering circular fashion options. These include 38 H&M Group stores and the Sellpy platform, which provides curated pre-loved collections.

On the social responsibility front, the company renewed its Global Framework Agreement with IndustriALL Global Union and Swedish trade union IF Metall, safeguarding the rights and working conditions of more than one million workers across the supply chain.

“I am proud of the steps we have taken to demonstrate that exceptional design and sustainable solutions go hand in hand with our purpose to liberate fashion for the many. Sustainability is a key priority for us, fundamental to how we operate and essential for our long-term success,” said Daniel Ervér, CEO H&M Group.

“Our efforts to use less and cleaner energy across our supply chain are also delivering strong results in our decarbonisation journey, aligned with our science-based targets. We are aware of the challenges ahead of us and we remain confident that we are on course to fulfill our sustainability agenda in the years to come,” added Leyla Ertur, sustainability director H&M Group.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)