The Paris Agreement, drawn up in 2015 and adopted by 196 parties at COP21, outlined that to prevent the worst climate change consequences, we must limit global warming from reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

Global warming has already hit 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels1 and urgent action is required to cap this temperature rise. In an ideal scenario, this will prevent the worst climate change consequences – including mass extinctions and suffering that will disproportionately affect Indigenous and marginalised communities. 

Governments, businesses and individuals each have their roles to play in tackling climate change and ensuring action. To do our part, we are continuing to actively engage with organisations, leaders and lawmakers to implement policies that incentivise, invest in and demand positive change – in the fashion industry and beyond. 

But no single business or government can do this alone. 

This COP27, we stand together for implementation. 

As a business, we have a role to play and, as world leaders and climate delegates gather this week, we are submitting our science-based targets for approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi provides a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. 

Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Our pending science-based targets 

Stella McCartney has set out to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, based on the latest climate science and in line with the Paris Agreement. This net-zero target consists of commitments across Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions. 

We aim to: 

• Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 75% by 2025, compared to 2019 levels. 
• Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions by 46.2% by 2030, also compared to 2019 levels. 

We have submitted our targets for review and will work with the SBTi to receive approval in 2023. We are also continuing to develop our portfolio of reduction initiatives and carbon-insetting projects across its global value chain. This includes working to transition agricultural and farming methods within our supply chains to regenerative methods. 

As we look ahead, we are actively investing in and innovating regenerative and regenerated solutions that will restore Mother Earth and keep more fibres from entering landfills, incinerators and our oceans. These solutions are aligned with the four COP27 objectives: 

• Mitigation – Regenerative agricultural practices help to mitigate the effects of climate change, including sequestering more carbon in the soil. 
• Adaptation – Regenerative agricultural sourcing is just one example of how we have begun to adapt our business practices to better meet Mother Earth’s needs and increase her climate resilience. 
• Finance – Acknowledging the high cost of converting to regenerative practices, we financially supported our long-term partner SOKTAS in their transition from conventional cotton. 
• Collaboration – We have ongoing collaborations in the regenerative space, including NATIVA wool, SOKTAS cotton and Natural Fiber Welding’s MIRUM plant-based leather alternative, sat on a regenerative cotton backing. 

#TogetherForImplementation 

Committed to our bold values and vision, we continue to create and collaborate on nature-positive solutions – bringing alternatives to market that are better for planet, people and our fellow creatures. 

We are collaborating with UNECE to develop a blockchain technology pilot with our SOKTAS regenerative cotton, tracing it from farm to finished garment. The first-ever product from this pilot launches in our Summer 2023 collection, with more to come. 

Collaborating with the Rainforest Alliance*, we are also exploring sourcing regenerative rubber. This includes looking at innovative ways to put the fashion industry’s support behind Indigenous communities in Peru who are embracing regenerative practices in natural rubber. 

We continue to partner with key organisations to innovate and invest – creating the Future of Fashion: 

+ MIRUM by Natural Fiber Welding – A plant-based, vegan alternative to animal leather. 

+ MYLO™️ by Bolt Threads – A mycelium-based vegan alternative to animal leather. 

+ ECONYL® by Aquafil – Creating garments from this regenerated and regenerable nylon. 

+ SOKTAS – Producing the world’s first regenerative cotton luxury garment. 

+ NATIVA – Regenerative wool, traceable back to the farm and sheep. 

+ S-WAVE – Our new brand symbol features on products crafted using a grape-based alternative to animal leather.