“Sustainability work is an integral part of H&M’s business and an important investment in the customer offering,” said Karl-Johan Persson, CEO of H&M, during a speech at the BSR conference in New York on 6 November.
Every year the BSR Conference gathers leaders from business, government and civil society to share their visions on sustainable business challenges and opportunities. The theme of the conference this year was transparency and transformation, with a main focus on how increased transparency can transform companies, consumers and communities.
The groundbreaking H&M fair living wage strategy – that has been drawn up in close cooperation with international trade unions, textile suppliers, the International Labour Organisation and non-profit organisations – shows how the fashion industry is transforming.
In his speech, Persson pointed out how H&M, with its size and dedication, wants to make a difference. He also highlighted some important prerequisites for successful sustainability work, so it is integrated into business in every department. From suppliers to customer relations, they are cooperating closely with others to develop and implement new ideas, and to always act with a long-term focus.
“At H&M we want to be more than a spectator of global developments, we have a responsibility to use our size and influence to do what we can,” Persson said.
Driving change throughout the industry, not just with H&M suppliers, is important for Persson and is a task that requires long-term work as well as a great deal of patience. One example of this is the H&M fair living wage strategy, aimed at the suppliers in production countries to pay a wage that covers the workers’ needs.
The strategy was launched a year ago and was initially tested in three role model factories. The evaluation will start this winter and there are already some positive indications. Persson stressed that H&M is prepared to pay the prices which will enable suppliers to pay a fair living wage.
H&M’s global garment collecting initiative was also mentioned as an important step towards a reduced use of natural resources. The fact that 95% of garments can be reused or recycled into new yarns was emphasised, as well as the fact that it will reduce the use of oil and water in the fashion industry.
“We need to change how fashion is made and consumed,” stated Persson.
One way of increasing transparency in the fashion industry is to work on consumer labelling, making it possible for the customer to compare the environmental and social sustainability of products and brands. This is, together with the decision to make the H&M supplier list public, an important step towards increased transparency and a more sustainable fashion industry.
See Karl-Johan Persson’s full speech here.
Content on this page is paid for and provided by H&M, sponsor of the sustainable fashion hub
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