Cover Burberry sets out a new ambitious target: to be climate positive by 2040. Photo: Courtesy of Burberry

The fashion house is already on track to meet its target to become carbon neutral across its own footprint in 2022 by reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency and switching to renewable electricity sources

Burberry becomes the first luxury brand to pledge to become climate positive by 2040, setting off a new sustainability ambition that goes beyond its current 2040 net-zero target. The fashion house will be investing in key initiatives to support wider climate change efforts beyond its value chain.

For this new bold ambition, Burberry is committing to cutting emissions across its extended supply chain by 46 per cent by 2030, which means their own science-based targets will be aligned to the 1.5°C pathway set out in the Paris Agreement. They will also be developing projects which support others in their own carbon journeys and announced their support for Fashion Avengers, a coalition of global fashion organisations that have come together to inspire action towards achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Its current net-zero target by 2040 is 10 years ahead of the 1.5°C pathway set out in the Paris Agreement. They will also accelerate low-carbon future solutions and invest in nature-based projects with carbon benefits that restore and protect natural ecosystems and enhance the livelihoods of global communities through the Burberry Regeneration Fund. Established just last year to support a portfolio of verified carbon offsetting and inserting projects.

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In addition to their own initiatives, Burberry will also invest in other initiatives beyond its value chain that support the world's efforts to create a resident, zero-carbon future. Some of these projects include investing in programmes that protect and restore natural ecosystems that remove carbon from the atmosphere, funding climate resilience projects that empower vulnerable, frontline communities to adapt to changing realities and protect livelihoods.

This new climate ambition builds on the fashion house's heritage of exploration and long-standing environmental and social programmes. At the moment, Burberry is on track to meet its target to become carbon neutral across its own footprint in 2022 by reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency and switching to renewable electricity sources.

All of their events have been certified carbon neutral since 2019 and have successfully reduced its market-based emissions by 92 per cent since 2016. They are also sourcing 93 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, which is on track to achieve its target to use 100 per cent renewable electricity in its operations by 2022.

Related: Burberry’s Autumn/Winter 2020 Runway Show Was Certified Carbon Neutral