Luxury empire LVMH is on a mission to protect environment with UNESCO

There is no doubt the fast fashion industry has detrimental effects on the world.

For an industry that relies heavily on the environment to produce its latest collections, it makes sense that the greatest fashion empires are taking charge to reduce its impact on nature.

LVMH has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development in partnership with UNESCO, where it supports the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program.

"Nature is the source for the creation of our products," says Antoine Arnault, member of the Board of Directors of LVMH. "It is our duty to protect it; committing to the preservation of biodiversity is one of the strategic pillars of LVMH’s environmental program, LIFE."

Prioritising the preservation of nature is one of the Maison’s principals in its long-term vision of reigning success.

Brands producing cheap, abundant collections every year are considered ‘fast fashion’ enterprises and are at the helm of harming the environment.

Although LVMH houses 17 of the finest luxury fashion brands in the world including RIMOWA, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Celine, and does not fall into the fast fashion sector, production of designer garments still contributes to significant greenhouse gas emissions.

"Nature is the source for the creation of our products – it is our duty to protect it," – Antoine Arnault

The fashion world is collectively responsible for producing 10% of humanity’s total carbon emission and 20% of global wastewater, making it unquestionably an unsustainable industry. Additionally, a shocking 85% of textiles end up in landfill or are incinerated.

"It is crucial to consider an economic recovery that is respectful of the environment and social issues," LVMH Environmental Director Hélène Valade explained at a UNESCO-organised roundtable discussion for International Day for Biology Diversity. "The crisis has heightened the importance of a certain number of topics, notably that of environmental accounting, which LVMH is working on with the Agro Paris Tech chair."

LVMH was able to achieve its goal in 2019 of reducing carbon emissions by 25% between 2012 and 2020, all the while recording business growth during the eight-year period.

As part of its five-year partnership with UNESCO to support the MAB program, which establishes a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and the environment, the fashion empire aims to help safeguard global biodiversity.

Guerlain is one of the shining green lights under the luxury conglomerate. The French perfume house joined forces with UNESCO in 2019 to provide long-term support for the creation of an international community of beekeepers.

"The program will promote and protect the key role of bees as pollinators in diverse ecosystems around the world," UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said last year. "The transmission of beekeepers’ knowledge and know-how will be facilitated through training and research, to strengthen the link between this vital biodiversity and food security and thus contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

To honour International Day for Biological Diversity, Guerlain announced its newest partnership with GoodPlanet foundation, which creates further awareness among young people of the vital importance of bees.