Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN)
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021-10 to 2022-09, 2022-09-01 to 2023-08-30, 2023-09 to 2024-08)
Reporting Period: 2021-10 to 2022-09
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Circularity
- Supply Chain Transparency
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Climate Action
- Cultivate Community
Environmental Achievements
- Avoided 1.15M cardboard boxes through reusable shipping totes
- Recirculated 8M garments via Urban Renewal since 1983
- Diverted over 26,000 lbs of fabric scrap from landfill via FabScrap partnership
- Reduced sample waste using new technology (saved approximately 8,000 samples, 16,000 yards of fabric)
- 22 acres of solar panels at Gap, PA Fulfillment Center, generating 31,076 MWh lifetime energy
Social Achievements
- Launched Employee Resource Groups at Home Office
- Created the URBN Summer Class for Diversity in Fashion
- Contributed more than $1.5M to Girls Inc. since 2015
- Pledged $1M to support arts education
- Launched a Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO) program
Governance Achievements
- Established an Impact Committee to set sustainability policies and goals
- 30% female representation on the Board of Directors
- All non-executive board members are independent
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Complete mapping of Tier 1 & Tier 2 of own-brand apparel supply chain by 2025
Medium-term Goals:
- By 2027, 60% of URBN total direct-sourced raw materials will be sourced more responsibly
- By 2027, 100% of direct-sourced cotton will be sourced responsibly
- By 2027, 50% of viscose will be sourced responsibly
Short-term Goals:
- Set science-based targets by 2025 for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
- By 2025, 70% of direct-sourced fabrics will be Bluesign certified or from ZDHC compliant mills
Environmental Challenges
- Reducing polybag waste in the supply chain
- Improving supply chain transparency beyond Tier 1 suppliers
- Setting science-based targets for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
Mitigation Strategies
- Partnership with Trex to recycle polybags and void fill
- Engaged third-party software to track and trace Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers
- Conducting a third-party assessment to identify materially relevant emission sources and define scope of reporting
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Over 300 vendors audited in 2021
Responsible Procurement
- Vendor Code of Conduct and Responsible Sourcing Policy
- Human Rights Policy
- Forced Labor Statement
- Supplier Risk Scoring Program (to be implemented by 2023)
- Annual Responsible Sourcing Training for suppliers (starting 2023)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- KOTO brand (recycled cotton, recycled polyester, responsibly sourced US cotton)
- Pilcro denim line (green mills, sustainable laundry techniques, natural dyeing, responsible fibers)
- Urban Renewal line
- Nuuly Rent and Thrift
Awards & Recognition
- Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence (National and Global)
- AIA National Honor Award for Architecture
- Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award
- Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia Achievement Award
Reporting Period: 2022-09-01 to 2023-08-30
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 1 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 2 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:Not disclosed
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:Not disclosed
Carbon Intensity:Not disclosed
ESG Focus Areas
- Circularity
- Sustainable Materials
- Waste Reduction
- Cleaner Energy
- Community Engagement
- Supply Chain Transparency
Environmental Achievements
- Diverted 3,839 pairs of denim from landfills through partnership with Cotton Inc.’s Blue Jeans Go Green program.
- Launched Re_Nuuly collections and products, giving new life to damaged Nuuly rentals.
- Achieved 100% of direct-to-consumer flat mailer bags for auto-bagging made from 50% PCW material.
- Achieved 100% of direct-to-consumer bubble flat mailer bags made from 50% PCW material.
- Launched 100% Post Consumer Waste (PCW) shopping bags at UO.
- Achieved 100% recyclable paper gift cards at Urban Outfitters and Free People.
- 54% of EU stores were zero waste to landfill.
Social Achievements
- Donated over $2M to various nonprofits.
- Launched URBN: BE U, a series of recruiting events focused on inclusion.
- Launched the Made to Measure Apprenticeship Program with Drexel.
- Rolled out Anti-Harassment/Anti-Discrimination training to all people managers.
Governance Achievements
- Not disclosed
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- 60% of URBN total direct-sourced raw materials will be sourced more responsibly by 2027.
- 100% of direct-sourced cotton will be sourced responsibly by 2027.
- 50% of viscose will be sourced responsibly by 2027.
- Nurture Long-Term Connections with our External Community by 2027.
Medium-term Goals:
- 70% of direct-sourced fabrics will be Bluesign certified or from ZDHC compliant mills by 2025.
- Complete mapping Tier 1 and map Tier 2 of our Ownbrand apparel supply chain by 2025.
- Set science-based targets and release commitments on carbon footprint management by 2025.
Short-term Goals:
- Implement Supplier Risk Scoring program by end of 2023.
- Deliver responsible sourcing training to suppliers by end of 2023.
- Launch 100% PCW bubble mailers in Fall 2023 for ALL brands.
Environmental Challenges
- Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
- Not disclosed
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Re_Nuuly collections and products
- FP Beach sustainable swimline
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2023-09 to 2024-08
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Circularity
- Better Materials
- Waste Reduction
- Cleaner Energy
- Community Cultivation
- Supply Chain Transparency
Environmental Achievements
- Eliminated 474 tons of virgin plastic globally
- Extended the life of over 7,500 previously retired garments through recycling and repurposing
- Recycled 23 tons of fabric waste
- Diverted 4.4M Cardboard Boxes by using reusable shipping totes
- 84% of URBN’s EU energy switched to renewable energy contracts
Social Achievements
- Launched its first Adaptive Clothing Collection
- Free People removed nearly 6 tons of trash from Philadelphia streets
- Anthropologie donated over $1M to YoungArts
- Free People donated over $3M to various charities
- URBN was named an Equality 100 Award Winner
- URBN became the first global retailer to support working parents with the MilkMate Breast Pumping Solution
Governance Achievements
- Urban Outfitters Inc. named a “Champions of Board Diversity” with 30% female representation on the board
- All non-executive board members are independent
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- 60% of URBN total direct-sourced raw materials will be sourced more responsibly by 2027
- 100% of direct-sourced cotton will be sourced responsibly by 2027
- 50% of viscose will be sourced responsibly by 2027
Short-term Goals:
- 70% of direct-sourced fabrics will be Bluesign certified or from ZDHC compliant mills by 2025
- Set science-based targets and release commitments on carbon footprint management by 2025
- Complete mapping Tier 1 & Map Tier 2 of ownbrand apparel supply chain by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Sourcing for a recycled swifttag solution has been challenging
- Expanding supply of recycled plastic polybag providers
Mitigation Strategies
- Continuing to research solutions for recycled swifttags
- Ongoing opportunities through plastic film recycling programs
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Over 200 vendors audited in 2023, covering over 75% of URBN’s Ownbrand product volume
Responsible Procurement
- Vendor Code of Conduct and Responsible Sourcing Policy
- Human Rights Policy
- Modern Slavery Statement
- Nest Ethical Handcraft program
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Nuuly rental service
- Re_Nuuly upcycled garments
- Free-est Swim recycled materials
- Regenerative cotton capsule collection
Awards & Recognition
- Equality 100 Award
- Corporate Champion Award from Nest