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Approach to Responsibility

THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY, WE HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS, ENABLING EXPLORERS AND INNOVATORS TO OPEN NEW SPACES AND UNLOCK ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES. OUR AMBITION, DRIVEN BY OUR PURPOSE AND VALUES, IS TO DO WELL BY DOING RIGHT.

THROUGH CREATING LUXURY PRODUCTS MADE TO LAST, TACKLING THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND EMPOWERING OUR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD, WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SECURE A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR INDUSTRY, OUR PLANET AND GENERATIONS TO COME. 

Our latest responsibility strategy, Burberry Beyond, brings together everything we do across our Company, our supply chain and our communities to create a better world for the next generation. This outlines which initiatives we focus on and how we measure our progress.

 

PRODUCT: RESPONSIBLE CRAFTSMANSHIP

For over a century and a half, we have carefully crafted products made to last. From the materials we use, to the aftercare services we provide, we are committed to increasing the longevity of our pieces for our consumers. In addition, we are consistently improving and innovating our manufacturing processes.

Working across our value chain, we are focused on sourcing certified key raw materials, embedding circular business models across Burberry and eliminating plastic from our packaging.

Learn more about our Product targets and ongoing initiatives here.

 

 

PEOPLE: CHAMPION INCLUSION AND WELLBEING ACROSS THE COMPANY’S FOOTPRINT

Together, we open spaces for creativity to flourish by prioritising our people’s wellbeing and being an open, inclusive and caring employer. By listening to, valuing and amplifying the voices of our people around the world, we ensure Burberry reflects the rich diversity of our customers and our communities and fosters a culture of true inclusion and belonging.

Learn more about our People targets and ongoing initiatives here.

PLANET: BECOME CLIMATE POSITIVE

The climate crisis is one of the most significant challenges faced by society. Future generations and the long-term success of our business depend on action we take now. We aim to be Climate Positive by 2040. This means we will cut our emissions across our value chain by at least 90% by 2040 (from 2019) and neutralise remaining emissions through carbon offset projects. 

This commitment guides how we innovate across our value chain to achieve our ambition. Alongside reducing emissions, our strategic priorities include embedding sustainable manufacturing processes and working to end deforestation.

Learn more about our Planet targets and ongoing initiatives here.



 

COMMUNITIES: POSITIVELY IMPACT YOUNG PEOPLE

Burberry’s history of supporting others is rooted in the altruism of our founder, Thomas Burberry. Throughout his life, he used his success as a way to contribute to society. We continue his legacy today, championing our communities, in particular young people, and working with organisations making a positive impact around the world.

The Burberry Foundation is firmly focused on empowering young people to create better futures, particularly those from underrepresented communities.

Learn more about our Communities targets and ongoing initiatives here.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
 

PRODUCT

  • 92% of leather from tanneries with environmental traceability and social compliance certification
  • Plastic has been removed from our retail bags and boxes

 

PEOPLE

  • Launched an ambition for Burberry to be the best place to work for all women in the luxury industry
  • Rolled out bespoke training and more inclusive policies to meet our DE&I goals
  • All Burberry retail and supply chain workers across the UK are paid at least the Real Living Wage

PLANET

  • 100% carbon neutral across our own operations       
  • 100% renewable electricity across our own operations
  • Zero waste to landfill in our key operations
  • We aim to become climate positive by FY39/40 through emissions reductions and offsetting
  • Committed to new biodiversity initiatives designed to protect nature and support zero deforestation 

COMMUNITIES

  • Positively impacted the lives of over 1.2 million people since 2017
  • At least 1% of adjusted pre-tax profit donated to charity year on year
  • Burberry employees contributed over 7,000 hours of volunteering to charitable causes in FY21/22 alone
     

MATERIALITY

Our Responsibility strategy was developed with the support of key stakeholders, to address the most material issues for our business, as well as the most pressing social and environmental needs along our value chain.  

 

Our goals are informed by the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), resulting in, for example; our climate-related commitments to be net-zero by 2040, adopting  science based targets and a 100% renewable electricity target  (in support of SDG 13 – Climate Action); driving positive change through all of our products (in support of SDG 12 – responsible production and consumption); and contributing to several SDGs through our goal to positively impact 1 million people with the support of the Burberry Foundation all by 2022.

 

Our community focused programmes were established based on key locations along our value chain where we are uniquely placed to make a difference (and  contribute to: SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 5 – Gender Equality, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10 – reduced inequalities).

 

When establishing these programmes we worked with expert non-governmental organisations, to identify local community needs and effective ways to address them.  All of our targets to 2022 are underpinned by SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals, as we recognise a collaborative multi-stakeholder approach is required to tackle some of the greatest global sustainability challenges faced today.

 

During FY 2021/22, we undertook an ESG materiality assessment review to identify the most material risks and opportunities for the business. This included assessing environmental and social topics based on their importance to our stakeholders and their impact on Burberry, and determining which topics were most material for Burberry. We also reviewed the Group’s governance of ESG topics to ensure appropriate oversight of ESG risks and opportunities.

EXTERNAL ASSURANCE OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY DISCLOSURES

Burberry has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) to provide limited assurance over selected Company, Product and Community information for FY 2021/22. Information forming part of the assurance scope is denoted with a ^ above. The full assurance statement and Burberry’s basis of reporting for the Responsibility KPIs are available here  and independent assurance statement. Please click here for Burberry’s basis of reporting and the full independent assurance statement for scope 3 KPIs as detailed in the Climate Positive 2040 report.

 

GOVERNANCE

Environmental and social responsibility is an essential element of Burberry’s strategy for which the Board is responsible. The Board is also responsible for ensuring its approach to ESG topics is integrated into, and implemented across, the business. The governance framework of committees and advisory forums provide updates and key information to the Board to ensure it is able to make informed decisions. The Board receives updates on priorities relating to the environment, people, supply chain, communities, sustainable finance and communications regularly.

 

In FY 2019/20, a Sustainability Steering Committee chaired by the CEO was established to review and oversee the Group’s strategy on environmental and social issues. During FY 2021/22, we reviewed the governance of ESG topics. As part of this review, the Sustainability Steering Committee evolved to the Sustainability Committee, which will meet four times a year and is co-chaired by the CEO and CO&FO. The Sustainability Committee will report to the Board at least twice a year to enhance the Board’s monitoring of progress.

 

The Chief Supply Chain Officer, the Chief People Officer, the Head of Ready-to-Wear, General Counsel, Senior Vice President Strategy, Vice President Corporate Responsibility and Senior Vice President Corporate Relations and Engagement are also members of the Sustainability Committee. Senior leaders are responsible for ensuring all decisions are taken with environmental and social impacts in mind. The Company has a cross-functional working group responsible for delivering the recommendations of the TCFD and evolving the company’s TCFD disclosures. The TCFD working group includes members from the Risk Management, Finance and Corporate Responsibility teams, and reports to the Risk Committee, which is chaired by the CO&FO. The Ethics Committee covers topics relating to ethics, compliance, environment and communities, and reports to the Audit Committee. The remuneration of the Executive Directors is partly linked to our progress in building a more sustainable future, including progress towards the Group’s Responsibility goals.

SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYSIS

Our supply chain analysis for FY2021/22 looks at our business model and external supply chain composition. Please click here to find out more.