OUR WORK ON CLIMATE

In 2016, WWF and H&M Group expanded the partnership to include taking climate action. This means working to reduce the emissions from H&M Group and its value chain, as well as to share learnings with other companies within the textile sector and beyond. As of 2025, the climate stream has evolved to climate and nature policy

In order to drive systemic change in the fashion industry, WWF and H&M Group have over the years been working together to influence key policy discussions, engage stakeholders and champion initiatives that influence policy and industry standards to align with global sustainability goals.

milestones and results

2022: Together with other companies, WWF and H&M Group launched the Beyond-Net-Zero Guidance, which detailed actions and examples to guide companies towards and beyond net-zero.

2023: WWF, H&M Group and Ingka IKEA had an extended and productive collaboration to jointly support increased renewable energy and energy efficiency targets for 2030 in the EU as part of an update to the related directives. Though the final agreed targets were lower than what was asked for, they were higher than the original proposals by the EU commission and council.

2025: Identification of strategic opportunities to accelerate the shift to renewable electrification in the textile and manufacturing sector. This has resulted in collaborative projects in Viet Nam. With H&M Group, Apparel Impact Institue and textile manufacturer Bangjiee working to install the first steam generating heat pump in the textile sector. Other initiatives have included a roundtable at COP30 , to insights with key government officials on how to scale renewable energy solutions. Read more here and here.
2019: Cleantech programme designed to support factories to decarbonise through offering best available technologies and financing. Due to several reasons the programme did not reach its full potential. However, several successes were achieved such as the organisation of 8 webinars between 2019–2021 where various cleantech providers presented to a 100+ manufacturing companies. As a result several factories did engage and install cleantech solutions.

2022: Training sessions carried out for H&M Group’s suppliers and other textile companies on the Science Based Target Initiative across 8 countries in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh.
2017/2018: Policy push in Brussels with the aim to encourage the European Parliament to vote for more renewable energy, more energy efficiency and a climate neutral EU by 2050 at the latest. The final outcome was more ambitious than experts initially had forecasted.

Why WWF and H&M Group partnered on climate

The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of today. It is of outmost importance that we all – nations, societies and the private sector – act to limit global warming to well- below 2.0 °C and preferably no more than 1.5 °C.

The fashion industry emits large amounts of greenhouse gases, mainly due to the large use of fossil fuels in fashion value chains. Studies estimate that textile production is responsible for more emissions than international flights and maritime shipping combined. For WWF, addressing climate issues in the fashion industry is therefore highly prioritized and an area where a player of the scale and size of H&M Group can make a difference.

WWF’s Beyond-Net-Zero- Guidance

The private sector has a critical role to drive and facilitate change towards a net-zero future in line with science and the Paris Agreement. WWF developed the Beyond-Net-Zero-Guidance with input and support from a group of companies including H&M Group. It offers companies support to implement ambitious climate strategies and actions to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. Here, companies need to go beyond reductions and emissions to restore our climate. This includes financing and supporting additional climate and nature solutions, engaging actively in climate policy, collaborating with other companies and stakeholders, and enabling customers.
Read more here:wwf.panda.org/beyond-net-zero

Many companies need sharper EU frameworks to reach their corporate climate goals and to deliver on the Paris Agreement. The private sector has an important role in emphasizing this to us politicians, both on national and international levels.

Ibrahim Baylan, Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation in Sweden

STORIES FROM THE PARTNERSHIP

INTERVIEW: Milan Kooijman, climate expert, WWF

Why should companies set science based targets (SBTi)?

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is becoming the corporate standard for target-setting. It is currently the only credible way of assessing whether a company’s climate ambitions are in line with science. Any serious business should therefore set targets and have these validated by the SBTi, preferably aiming for the highest possible ambition level.

VIETNAM: Exploring the potential to scale solar pv among suppliers

This partnership project gave us more knowledge on the potential for RE in Vietnam related to the H&M supply chain and providing some education and guidance to supplier factories in sourcing solar PV.

INDIA: A cleantech programme to engage suppliers

If H&M Group is to reach its climate positive target, it is essential to engage the supply chain; suppliers account for around two thirds of the company’s greenhouse gas emissions. Looking for scalable and effective ways to reduce supplier emissions, the partnership set up a cleantech programme in India. If successful, the project will be replicated to other countries.

Electrifying the Textile and Apparel Sector in Viet Nam

WWF, H&M Group, Apparel Impact Institute and leading supplier Bangjie are pioneering Viet Nam’s textile and apparel sector’s first fully electrified heat pump installation. This marks the beginning of a shift to high-efficiency electric technology in an effort to decarbonize one of Viet Nam’s largest sectors.

CAMBODIA & MYANMAR: A strategy for renewable energy investments

Renewable energy (RE), such as solar and wind, has a vital role to play in decarbonizing energy systems. In 2021, WWF and H&M Group set up a partnership project with the aim to increase renewable energy use in H&M Group’s supply chain in Asia.

EU: A climate policy push

In 2017 and 2018, WWF, H&M Group and IKEA jointly pushed for stronger climate policies in the EU. Efforts were successful and showed that organizations stand stronger together.

SBTi trainings to H&M Suppliers and other Textile companies

Together with H&M, WWF has carried out Science Based Target initiative ( SBTi ) trainings to H&M suppliers as well as other textile companies that WWF works with in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh on how to set science-based targets.

Acting on sustainability makes good business sense. Generally, companies that have set bold targets have not only surpassed these targets, but have done so profitably and innovatively. The longer your company waits with taking action, the harder and more costly it will become to address the risks.

Milan Kooijman, Climate Business Expert, WWF