Carbon footprint and SBTi trajectory

In September 2021, Guerlain joined the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

Guerlain has committed to reduction targets across all three scopes until 2030 and is on track to meet them.

Thanks to a 100% renewable energy mix, including the switch to biomethane in 2021 at our La Ruche production site, Guerlain has been able to reduce its carbon footprint by 1,000 tons of CO2-eq per year. This amounts to two thirds of the 1,559 tons emitted in 2019, the baseline year for our scopes 1 and 2.

This major lever is complemented by regular energy audits and targeted efficiency actions at our highest-consuming sites.

Scope 3 accounts for the largest share of Guerlain’s carbon footprint. Among emission sources, transport – especially downstream transport – is a key lever for transformation.

In 2023, downstream logistics represented 40% of our total emissions (across all scopes). Aware of this impact, we work closely with our subsidiaries to reduce air freight in favour of maritime transport. As a result, the proportion of downstream transport by sea of our eligible products (in tonnes) has risen from 39% in 2022 to 65% in 2024.

Packaging eco-design – reducing the weight-to-volume ratio – is also a strong area for our carbon footprint lightening policy, as well as the prospective management of our product launches.

Concerning the so-called incompressible emissions in its carbon footprint, in 2024 Guerlain chose to financially support a 149-hectare (368-acre) farm in Gometz-la-Ville, producing beetroot for use in the organic alcohol in our fragrances. The company has committed to reducing 567 tCO2-eq over 5 years, notably through:

• The increase in biomass via cover crops
• The reduction of mineral nitrogen inputs

These measures also deliver co-benefits for biodiversity, soil erosion prevention, and air and water quality.