In 2024, H&M Group reported that 89% of its materials were either sustainably sourced or recycled, with recycled materials alone comprising 29.5% of the total mix. This places the company just shy of its 30% recycled content goal for 2025—a milestone it is on track to surpass ahead of schedule.
The group also made headway in decarbonization efforts. Compared to its 2019 baseline, the company achieved a 41% reduction in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, and a 24% reduction in scope 3 emissions. A key contributor to this progress has been the ongoing elimination of coal-powered operations within its supply chain. The number of garment factories using on-site coal boilers was reduced to 27 in 2024, down from 46 the previous year and 118 in 2022.
H&M Group continued to expand its circular fashion initiatives in 2024. Pre-owned offerings are now available in 26 markets, facilitated through both physical retail and digital channels. This includes 38 H&M Group stores globally, as well as Sellpy, the group’s dedicated resale platform for curated second-hand fashion.
These initiatives aim to extend product lifecycles and reduce the environmental impact of fashion consumption, aligning with growing consumer demand and industry interest in scalable resale solutions.
Achievements were also made in resource management. Since 2022, the group’s garment suppliers have reduced freshwater consumption by 9.5%, nearing the company’s 10% reduction target a year ahead of plan.
In packaging, H&M Group exceeded its 2025 plastic reduction goal by a wide margin, achieving a 54% decrease in plastic packaging use compared to 2018. This performance more than doubles the original 25% target, driven by a shift to alternative materials and supply chain optimization.
CEO Daniel Ervér emphasized that the company's scale offers both an opportunity and a responsibility to lead transformation in the fashion sector. He noted that aligning business growth with sustainable practices remains central to the company’s direction.
