European retailer C&A reduces CO2 emissions by nearly 32% in 2022

“At C&A, our purpose is clear and guides us: we inspire you every day to look, feel and do good. Our ambitious 2028 sustainability strategy plays a big role in ensuring we are on course for a more sustainable future. The 2022 sustainability report shares both our successes and our challenges: it’s about transparency, collaboration, and the willingness to inspire the industry and enable our customers to do good,” said CEO Giny Boer.

C&A explores more sustainable materials, circular fashion, and combating plastic pollution. One of the ways to achieve this is to collaborate with start-ups and partners to increase the availability of next-generation materials and promote recycling. In 2022, 78 per cent of C&A’s core materials (cotton, polyester, and man-made cellulosic fibres) were sourced more sustainably, aiming towards 100 per cent by 2028.

C&A is committed to the circular economy and its principles, meaning integrating recycled materials, adapting product-design and testing and scaling viable circular business models such as second-hand stores. In 2022, 11 per cent of all C&A products complied with these principles, paving the way for a targeted 70 per cent in 2028. A cooperation on circularity is the pilot with the start-up traceless which uses biodegradable materials for clothing hooks with the plans to scale this across C&A’s operations.

As per the report, C&A is loyal to workers’ well-being and safety in its supply chain and promotes informed consumer choices. About 87 per cent of suppliers’ factories underwent a verified Social & Labor Convergence Programme assessment in 2022, nearly doubling the rate from the previous year (46 per cent). Additionally, C&A adopted a new human rights and equity policy in 2022 as an overarching guideline for these closely intertwined areas.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (RR)