Hermès International sustainability score: 48/100

Hermès reports 17.8Kt Scope 1 and 2.7Kt Scope 2 (market-based) emissions with external verification and granular breakdown by site type. CDP Climate A rating confirms disclosure quality. Multi-year tracking since 2011. Scope 1&2 represent only 2% of total footprint.

Scope 3 quantified at 731.9Kt covering all material categories. Raw materials account for ~62% of Scope 3. Active engagement with 50 main suppliers through CSR briefs (average 19-year relationships). Full value chain mapping in place. However, Fashion Transparency Index scores only 21-30%, indicating material traceability gaps.

Scope 1&2 achieved 63.7% absolute reduction since 2018, exceeding SBTi target of 50.4%. Total absolute emissions rose from 665.8Kt (2023) to 747.8Kt (2024), driven by 14% increase in absolute Scope 3 (643.8Kt to 731.9Kt). Intensity-based Scope 3 target masks absolute increases.

All French sites powered 100% by green electricity from hydropower, photovoltaics, wind. 2024: 98% renewable electricity sourced, 71% total energy renewable. On-site photovoltaics installed across facilities. Target: 100% renewable electricity by 2025. Phasing fossil fuels from new sites.

Member of Act4Nature International (2018), SBTN Corporate Engagement (2023), WWF partnership. Biodiversity footprint assessed; 83% timber and 100% cattle deforestation-free. However, owns crocodile farms in Australia, Zimbabwe and sources from Texas. Multiple PETA investigations (2015, 2017, 2021, 2023, 2025) document animal welfare concerns; plans to expand with 50,000-animal facility.

Generates 16,300 tonnes waste annually; 53% managed through reuse, recycling, waste-to-energy. Repaired over 200,000 products in 2024. Design-for-longevity approach and production offcut reuse. Eliminating virgin fossil-based plastic from packaging by 2026. Limited quantified closed-loop metrics.

608,000 m³ water consumption across 75 manufacturing sites. Only 9 sites in water-stressed areas. CDP Water A- rating. Intensity reduction target: 5% annually (m³/€m turnover). ZDHC member since 2021. World Benchmarking Alliance found no absolute withdrawal reduction, no discharge quality management disclosure, no pollution reduction targets.

SBTi-validated: 50.4% Scope 1&2 absolute reduction by 2030 (already exceeded at 63.7% in 2024). Scope 3 target is intensity-based (58.1% per €m value added), masking absolute increases. Net-zero objectives under development but not yet SBTi validated. Internal carbon price: €40/tCO2e since 2022.

Sustainable Development Committee with Executive Committee members. Annual Universal Registration Document with detailed environmental data. CDP Climate A, Water A-. CSRD-aligned reporting underway. Won Transparency Awards Grand Prix 2024. However, Fashion Transparency Index scores only 21-30%, quantitative disclosures described as limited.

Multiple PETA and Farm Transparency Project investigations (2015–2025) document conditions at Hermès-owned crocodile farms in Australia, Zimbabwe, Texas, Thailand. US Fish and Wildlife seized reptile shipments (2016–2021). Plans to expand crocodile farming with 50,000-animal facility despite industry trend away from exotic skins. No negative climate lobbying identified.