Group accelerates sustainability efforts after Sharing Beauty With All programme beats set targets ahead of time

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 1 May 2017: L’Oréal Middle East has held a high-powered event highlighting its Sharing Beauty With All (SBWA) sustainability programme in the lead up to Earth Day to advocate for sustainable production and consumption. 

The event, part of a global series that the L’Oreal Group is holding to mark Earth Day, was held at the company’s Dubai headquarters in Downtown Jebel Ali and was attended by senior L’Oréal decision-makers and representatives from key brands under the L’Oréal umbrella, in addition to key stakeholders, media, and influencers. 

Under SBWA, the L’Oréal Group has successfully decoupled growth from carbon emissions. By reducing the emissions of its plants and distribution centres by 67% in absolute terms from a 2005 baseline, L’Oréal has exceeded its target of a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions four years ahead of schedule. Simultaneously, production has increased 29% during the same period. By end 2016, the Group had turned 15 of its industrial sites carbon neutral. 

“At L’Oréal, we want to lead a new economic model where production increase and product innovation merges with an ecologically favourable and environmentally conscientious agenda. We want to create products that enhance the beauty and well-being of our consumers, and do it in ways that doesn’t adversely impact the planet. As we look forward to Earth Day, it’s worth reiterating that the planet’s resources are finite and need to be consumed with care,” said L’Oréal Middle East Managing Director Thierry Houssin

Launched in 2013, the SBWA programme differentiates itself by emphasising innovation, sustainable production and a reduction in the company’s environmental footprint across the entire value chain – from sourcing and production to packaging, transporting and consumption. It also pledges to bring beauty to new audiences and offer people from underprivileged communities opportunities for economic empowerment. 

In light of its achievements in exceeding sustainability targets, the L’Oreal Group is now moving to tacking its internal working environment through the “Working Sustainably Campaign.” 2017 has been nominated the year of paper reduction, with the brand educating and mobilising its 90,000 employees worldwide to reduce paper consumption and paper waste to further shrink the brand’s environmental footprint. 

“Our SBWA strategy isn’t just an exercise in corporate social responsibility. It answers consumer demands for more natural products that don’t harm the environment. Our consumers care deeply about sustainability. They want to feel and look good while also feeling good about their responsible consumption. Our green lean production methods are also a beneficial driver of innovation and keep us focused on our quest for excellence. Looking after our environment and our planet isn’t optional anymore. Sustainable production and consumption are essential for long-term quality of life,” added Houssin.

By 2020, L’Oréal is aiming to improve the environmental and social profile of 100% of its products. This commitment concerns all L’Oréal brands and 82% of the products launched in 2016 already show this improvement. Some of these new products demonstrate levels of biodegradability exceeding 98%, such as the shampoos and conditioners of the Biolage R.A.W. range, or the Garnier Ultra Doux 5 Plants shampoo. 

The same improvements are also noticeable in older brands under L’Oréal Luxe and the Active Cosmetics Division. Kiehl’s, for example, is leading the charge for sustainable sourcing and organic ingredients combined with eco-friendly packaging while encouraging recycling through its Recycle & Be Rewarded Program, across all its stores in the GCC. Other brands like Roger & Gallet, Skinceuticals and Vichy are also utilizing green chemistry to improve biodegradability and are reducing environmental impact by relying on packaging derived from responsibly managed forests. 

The event also highlighted the Beauty for a Better Life initiative. Activated in the UAE in 2016, the enterprise partnered with the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children to offer free vocational training to people from underprivileged communities.