Selfridges ' project Earth report highlights key 2030 targets

Retail giant Selfridges which has a store in Birmingham's Bullring launched its first project Earth report highlighting key targets to be achieved by 2030.

The report pledges to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 while using 45 per cent of transactions to derive from circular products by 2030.

Other commitments include stocking products that meet with strict environmental and ethical standards and building an inclusive retail culture by putting the wellbeing of the people and the planet on the forefront.

This will be done by making a commitment to ensure 50 per cent of director roles will be held by women by 2025 along with a closed gender pay gap and a 16 per cent senior leadership being made up of ethnic minorities.

The report also aims to change the ways people shop in three ways; by addressing the materials used in products, launching and exploring new retail models such as repair and resell, and engaging with teams, partners and customers to inspire a shift in mindsets.

The project was initially launched in August 2020 with the aim to achieve transformational sustainable energy and reach new zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The net zero carbon emission goal was accelerated by 10 years later to be achieved by 2040 as a signatory to the climate pledge.

Andrew Keith, Selfridges managing director, said: "In creating our store of tomorrow we must commit to a fundamental shift in the way that we do business and use the Selfridges platform for change. Our vision is to reinvent retail and create a more sustainable future, and Project Earth and our new targets underpin this. ”

“We recognise that we need to challenge ourselves to accelerate change and our ambitious circular and materials targets do just that.

“We don't have all the answers, but we are committed to finding solutions through a continued imaginative approach to retail innovation. The scale of our ambition cannot be underestimated but we are inspired by what lies ahead and how we bring this to life for customers. ”