L’Oréal has launched its new sustainability program, L’Oréal for the future, which lays down the Group’s latest set of ambitions for 2030. 

The global beauty brand is accelerating its transformation towards a model respecting planetary boundaries and reinforcing its commitments to both sustainability and inclusion.

The company’s key targets that aim to respect the planet’s limits include improving energy efficiency and using 100% renewable energy to achieve carbon neutrality at all L’Oréal’s sites by 2025; using 100% recycled or bio-based plastics in all product packaging by 2030; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% (versus 2016) per finished product.

To help its 1.5 billion consumers make more sustainable choices, L’Oréal has also developed a Product Environmental & Social Impact Labelling mechanism. The labelling will include a score on a scale from A to E, with an 'A' product considered as 'best in class' in terms of environmental impacts.

The method was endorsed by independent scientific experts and data have been verified by indendent auditor, Bureau Veritas Certification. The labels and scores will be accessible on products’ web pages to help consumers make informed choices. Garnier is the first brand to implement the methodology across its hair care products in France, and the labelling will progressively be extended to other countries, L’Oréal brands and product categories.

L’Oréal is also allocating €150 million to address urgent social and environmental issues, with €50 million being used to finance damaged natural marine and forest ecosystems restoration projects through a fund called the L’Oréal Fund for Nature Regeneration. Another €50 million will be directed to financing projects linked to the circular economy, and €50 million is going to an endowment fund to help vulnerable women. This fund will support field organizations and local charities in their efforts to fight poverty, help women achieve social and professional integration, provide emergency assistance to refugee and disabled women, prevent violence against women, and support victims.

Alexandra Palt, L’Oréal Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, says: “Over the past decade, we have profoundly transformed our company, putting sustainability at the very core of our business model. With our new commitments, we are entering a new phase of acceleration of that transformation: going beyond our direct environmental impact, helping consumers to make more sustainable choices, as well as generating positive social and environmental contribution. As an industry leader, we consider that it is our role to contribute to building an inclusive and sustainable society.”