Hermès International

Review summary

Hermès International has submitted its 2023 Universal Registration Document and its act4nature commitments to Its Now for Nature and met all the review criteria to be part of the campaign.

Reviewed October 2024

Hermès’ double materiality assessment addresses nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities across the value chain.
Yearly, Hermès updates its priority Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) material analysis to guide its actions and facilitate the understanding of its strategy.
In 2023, the material analysis is summarized into People, Planet and Communities. Under Planet, these topics are highlighted as material:
- Eco-design, circular economy and innovative materials
- Sustainable materials and responsible sourcing
- Animal welfare
- Climate change
- Biodiversity
- Energy, water and waste management

Pressures exerted by Hermès activities: Land use and transformation, water withdrawals, water and air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Hermès has set several SMART targets related to the preservation of nature and biodiversity within its strategy.
The targets cover biodiversity footprinting (measuring the biodiversity footprint of key supply chains), sustainable supply chains, circular economy, restoration and reforestation, combatting invasive species and climate change.
In 2023, Hermès also committed to Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) to establish scientific objectives for nature for biodiversity, freshwater, forests, soils and oceans.
For example, Hermès aims to implement biodiversity action plans for 100% of French manufacturing sites and key supply chains by 2025. 
Another example on circular economy, by 2023 Hermès aims to have all métiers (crafts) to implement the circular economy roadmap and to have 100% of unsold goods recycled or donated globally between 2025 and 2030. Further, there will be zero destruction of unsold goods in France from 2023 and globally by 2030.

Hermès is aligning its action plans with international standards such as Science Based Targets for Nature (STBN) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD).
For example, Hermès applies eco-design principles to reduce waste, promote reuse, and integrate recycling across its métiers (crafts). The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) method is systematically used to assess the environmental impact of materials and reduce their footprint throughout the product life cycle.

Biodiversity at Hermès is overseen by the Executive Committee, which relies on the work of the Sustainable Development Board. In addition, this issue is driven by specific competence present on the Supervisory Board. The Group uses experts and specialist NGOs.
Act4nature commitments are signed by the Executive Chairman.