The Comité Colbert the standard-bearer for French excellence in the world of luxury, is publishing a magazine dedicated to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments for the third year running. This special issue, entitled French Luxury is reinventing the life cycle of products “, was distributed exclusively with the February 16, 2024 New York Times, marking an ambitious move to raise awareness in the world’s leading luxury market, the United States, of the sustainable initiatives of the Comité’s 93 member houses.
Sustainability as a goal for the common good
Founded in 1954 by Jean-Jacques Guerlain, the Comité Colbert is a leading representative of the French luxury goods industry, embracing a collective, forward-thinking vision of sustainability. Laurent Boillot, President of Hennessy and current Chairman of the Comité, stresses the importance of a collaborative approach to transform sustainability into a goal of common good rather than a mere competitive advantage. This vision is embodied by the commitment of member companies to innovation in all areas of sustainability, enriched by collective intelligence and fruitful exchanges.
The magazine features portraits of 14 employees from various Comité companies, testifying to their personal and collective commitment to sustainability. These stories underline the fact that innovation and commitment to more responsible luxury are springing up at all levels of the company, demonstrating a willingness to decompartmentalize approaches to sustainability.
Key data on the commitment of the Houses
This year’s edition presents key data on ESG practices in the French luxury goods sector, revealing in particular that 96% of member companies have carried out an extended carbon footprint, 87% are taking action to protect biodiversity, and 100% have adopted waste reduction and recovery policies.. These figures, derived from a questionnaire sent to member companies, provide an unprecedented collective view of the sector’s efforts in terms of sustainable development.
A special feature explores innovation through the product life cycle, from the question of sustaining threatened resources to the challenges of eco-design, packaging, transparency, upcycling and innovative modes of transport. This section highlights the initiatives, successes and questions raised by luxury brands in their quest for a more sustainable model.
The magazine does not fail to highlight tangible results, such as the number of repairs carried out by Hermès, the rate at which unsold goods are reclaimed at Celine, or Kering’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions. These successes reflect the ability of the Maisons du Comité Colbert to implement concrete measures that have a significant impact on the environment and society.
Beyond the environment, the Comité Colbert emphasizes other dimensions of social responsibility, such as gender equality, diversity, the fight against violence against women, and support for culture and impact entrepreneurs. This holistic approach demonstrates that the commitment of French luxury goes far beyond the production of objects of desire, aiming to have a positive impact on the world.
With the publication of French Luxury is reinventing the life cycle of products “The Comité Colbert reaffirms its pioneering role in thinking and acting for a sustainable future, illustrating the deep commitment of French luxury houses to a long-term vision of excellence and responsibility.
Photos: Comité Colbert
