The H&M group has made a landmark pledge to use 100 per cent recycled or sustainable-source materials in its products by 2030 as a part of its commitment to be “climate positive” throughout its supply chain. The commitment was announced as retail giant published its 2016 Sustainability Report.

This Swedish company which owns the eponymous H&M chain is also aspiring to become climate positive throughout its value chain by 2040 by reducing electricity use in H&M stores by 25 per cent by 2030 and by using 100 per cent renewable energy in its own operations.

The H&M group is stepping up its ambitions and announces a new goal closely connected to its circular approach; to annually collect at least 25,000 tons of textiles in its stores by 2020. In total, 39,000 tons of textiles was collected which is equivalent to 196 million T-shirts since the start of the Garment Collecting initiative in 2013.

Regarding sustainable production process, H&M aims to achieve zero discharge of hazardous chemicals in production procedures and complete installation of water-efficient equipment in H&M’s operations by 2020 and. Talking about this ambitious step, Karl-Johan Persson, CEO of H&M Group stated the company has always been important to act in a way that makes it possible not just for the present but also future generations to enjoy fashion.

Anna Gedda, Head of Sustainability at the H&M group said in a statement the company wants to use size and scale to lead the change towards circular and renewable fashion while making our company more fair and equal this is the reason why the company has developed a new strategy aiming to take our sustainability work to the next level.