Press Release

L'Oréal Recognized as Global Compact LEAD by the United Nations and Steps up its Climate Action by Committing to Zero-net Emissions by 2050

The United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York has highlighted the importance of the contribution of businesses to fight climate change.

Brand Provided | By L'Oréal | Published 5 years ago | About a 2 minute read

Image: Pexels

In line with its long standing commitments to climate action, L'Oréal has taken one step further by joining the Business Ambition for 1.5°C initiative, a call-to-action issued by a broad coalition of business, civil society and UN leaders.

L'Oréal decided to aim zero-net emissions by 2050, thereby contributing to keeping global temperature increase within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Alexandra PALT, Executive Vice President & L'Oréal Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, said: "Climate change is no longer a distant or future generation problem. L'Oréal was one of the first companies to set ambitious CO2 reduction targets in its industrial activity and to achieve them. However, this is not enough. We have to go much further and reduce our impact according to what scientific experts demand, and what our planet needs."

Taking gradual steps towards its 2050 zero-net emissions objective, L'Oréal committed to reducing its absolute scope 1,2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 (base year 2016). In support of this goal, L'Oréal will reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions for all its industrial, administrative and research sites by 100% by 2025 (base year 2016). These commitments have been validated as science-based targets in December 2017 by the Science-Based Targets Initiative, ensuring that they complied with the trajectory required by the Paris Agreement.

This science-based approach follows a decade of work carried out by L'Oréal to reduce its carbon footprint across its value chain. The Group has already reduced the emissions of its industrial sites by 77% in absolute terms from 2005 to 2018. At the end of 2018, 38 L'Oréal sites had achieved carbon neutrality. This exceptional performance was recognized for the sixth year running by CDP, which awarded L'Oréal with an "A" rating for itsefforts in fighting climate change.

L'Oréal's commitment to reduce its environmental footprint and to demonstrate leadership for responsible business was once again recognized during the UN Global Compact Leaders Week. L'Oréal was recognized as a Global Compact LEAD participant for its ongoing commitment to the United Nations Global Compact and its Ten Principles for responsible business.

Lise KINGO, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, said: "LEAD companies represent the highest level of engagement with the UN Global Compact. More thanever before, the world needs businesses of all sizes - like the ones announced as LEAD - thatcontinuously work to improve their sustainability performance and take action to build a betterworld."