Climate Change Data

Aesop

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:60,301 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:227 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:2,127 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:57,963 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:7%
Total Energy Consumption:4,919 MWh/year (non-renewable) + 346 MWh/year (renewable)
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:373 tons/year (estimated)
Carbon Intensity:5% reduction in carbon intensity per product unit sold (for specific categories).

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change
  • Packaging
  • Sustainable Sourcing
  • Philanthropy and Social Impact
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Employee Wellbeing

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced freight emissions by 20% in absolute terms.
  • Reduced contract manufacturing emissions by 56%.
  • Achieved 56.5% recycled plastic in packaging.
  • Transitioned three popular products to 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum tubes.
  • 80% reduction in embodied carbon impact with Aesop Gansevoort store design.
  • 5% reduction in carbon intensity per product unit sold for raw materials, packaging, upstream transport and distribution, business travel, employee commute and end-of-life of sold products.

Social Achievements

  • Launched a new global giving strategy for the Aesop Foundation with a AU$40 million pledge by 2030.
  • Donated AUD$2.8 million through the Aesop Foundation.
  • 144 Aesop employees volunteered with Refugee Community Kitchen.
  • Expanded Queer Library initiative to new locations, distributing tens of thousands of books.
  • Continued Women’s Libraries initiative, gifting 19,000 books.

Governance Achievements

  • Achieved 50% women representation at Board and Senior Leadership level.
  • Maintained 98% living wage across the business.
  • Unexplained pay gap of -0.88%.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Net Zero emissions by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
  • 100% of packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030.
  • 50% plastic packaging material used is recycled by 2030.
  • Achieve Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050 (90% reduction, 10% offsetting).
Short-term Goals:
  • Lower the embodied carbon footprint of all new signature stores by 50% in intensity by 2027.

Environmental Challenges

  • Increased emissions across scopes 1, 2, and 3 due to growth in China and increased business travel.
  • Challenges in achieving full traceability and certification for all critical raw materials.
  • High rate of 'panelling' in new 50ml bottles.
  • Decreased traceability of palm oil compared to 2021 due to increased number of suppliers.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Prioritizing carbon insetting and permanent carbon removal.
  • Implementing a carbon budget and tracker for air freight.
  • Improving supply chain management and governance procedures.
  • Working with contract manufacturers to transition to renewable energy.
  • Collaborating with suppliers to solve sustainability challenges (e.g., 50ml bottle panelling).
  • Engaging suppliers earlier to improve traceability.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Increased number of third-party independent audits by 19% in 2023.

Responsible Procurement
  • Sustainable procurement policies
  • Ethical sourcing training
  • Code of conduct
  • Alignment with L'Oréal for the Future program

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Extreme weather
Transition Risks
  • Regulatory changes
  • Market shifts
Opportunities
  • Development of energy-efficient products

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), B Corp

Certifications: RSPO Supply Chain Certified (palm oil)

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)
  • Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
  • Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
  • Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

Aesop's initiatives contribute to these goals through various environmental, social, and governance programs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Recycled aluminum tubes
  • Recycled plastic bottles

Awards & Recognition

  • Work180 Endorsed Employer for Women (ANZ)
  • HR Asia Awards (Hong Kong)