Primark has successfully reduced its carbon emissions for the first time in three years, indicating a positive shift towards sustainability.
- Over the last year, Primark’s carbon emissions decreased by 11.6%, due to increased use of renewable energy and biofuel.
- The company reported a 21% year-on-year reduction in direct and indirect emissions, surpassing its 2018/2019 baseline.
- Primark aims to have all its cotton sourced sustainably by 2027, with 57% of its current stock meeting these criteria.
- Efforts in circular fashion have increased, with 66% of Primark’s products now using recycled or sustainable materials.
Primark’s latest Sustainability and Ethics Progress Report indicates that the company’s commitment to renewable energy has resulted in a significant reduction in carbon emissions. The retailer reported an 11.6% decrease in total carbon emissions for the year ending 31 July 2024. This achievement is mainly due to the adoption of renewable energy, which now supplies 64% of Primark’s total electricity requirement for its stores, head offices, and depots. Additionally, collaboration with logistics provider Maersk to substitute traditional fuels with biofuels has contributed to this reduction. Biofuels are derived from renewable biological sources and emit approximately 40% fewer greenhouse gases than traditional fuels.
Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which cover direct and indirect emissions from owned or controlled sources and purchased electricity, respectively, have notably dropped by 21% year-on-year. These reductions also represent a 52% decrease from Primark’s baseline year of 2018/2019, showcasing the company’s progress in decreasing its environmental impact.
Primark has placed significant emphasis on sustainable textile use. A noteworthy 66% of the clothing sold between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024 incorporated recycled or more sustainably sourced materials, progressing towards their goal of complete sustainability by 2030. Cotton sourcing forms a key part of this drive, with 57% of cotton products now comprising organic, recycled, or sustainably sourced cotton from the Primark Cotton Project.
The Primark Cotton Project, initially launched in 2013, aids farmers in creating more sustainable cotton by reducing chemical fertilizers and water usage. It was recently renamed to align with the EU’s Green Claims Directive. Alongside this, about 3% of Primark’s clothing is now designed to be ‘circular’, part of a framework introduced to enhance product durability and recyclability based on principles from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Product durability is another major component of Primark’s sustainability initiatives. The company has initiated partnerships with environmental groups such as WRAP and is working on a Durability Framework, backed by research from environmental charity Hubbub and the University of Leeds School of Design. This framework sets out the aim for Primark clothing to endure 45 machine washes and remain wearable, ensuring longer product life. Lynne Walker, Primark Cares Director, highlighted these efforts, stating, “We are going to hold our product teams and our suppliers to account on this, to make our garments last as long as possible.”
Primark’s concerted efforts underline its commitment to significantly reducing its environmental impact and paving the way for sustainable fashion in the future.
