Retailer New Look advances its sustainability strategy announced in 2022.
- New Look’s emission targets receive Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) approval.
- The company has achieved a 22% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2022.
- Traceable and recycled cotton are central to New Look’s future plans.
- Significant partnerships focus on fair wages and community support initiatives.
New Look has made significant strides in its sustainability strategy, as highlighted by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) approval. This approval underlines New Look’s commitment to align with the 1.5°C pathway, which aims to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050. Since the launch of its sustainability strategy in 2022, New Look has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 22%. These reductions have placed the company on track to not only meet but potentially exceed its near-term emission reduction targets.
Beyond this, New Look has achieved a 12% decrease in its overall carbon emissions, with an 11% reduction in Scope 3 emissions since 2022. Compared to 2019, the retailer reported a dramatic 48% reduction in its carbon footprint alongside a 47% decrease in its water footprint, underscoring its robust environmental commitment.
In its pursuit of sustainability, New Look focuses on increasing the use of traceable and recycled cotton, aiming to enhance the minimum percentage of recycled content in synthetic fabrics to 30%.
Furthermore, New Look has entered into collaborations with Neighbourly and Industrial Global Union, among others. Neighbourly encourages each New Look store to support local charities, while the partnership with Industrial Global Union is part of New Look’s commitment to fair wages for Cambodian workers.
The retailer’s sustainability updates are framed around four pillars: responsible business, product responsibility and circular economy, inclusive culture, and positive local impact. Strong partnerships with organisations such as The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) aim to combat gender-based violence and harassment, and modern slavery across its value chain. New Look has also appointed a human rights manager to further these efforts.
Through initiatives aimed at product responsibility and circular economy, New Look disclosed that 77% of its clothing carries at least one attribute that reduces environmental impact. Research collaboration with the Leeds Institute of Textile and Colour seeks to extend product longevity and support sustainability advancements.
Emphasising an inclusive culture, New Look has established ally groups to promote inclusion and well-being among its workforce, involving over 150 ‘New Look allies’ in this cause.
On a community engagement level, New Look employees and customers collectively contributed over £350,000 to charity in the past year, with £310,000 donated by store teams to local organisations.
Looking ahead, Sue Fairley, New Look’s head of sustainability, expressed confidence in achieving the company’s sustainability targets by 2025, reinforcing a dedication to operating sustainably and ethically.
New Look’s ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering sustainability exemplifies significant progress in the fashion retail sector.
