Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Industrial, Industrial, Sourcing Renewables  -  April 27, 2017

3 new solar, wind projects help L'Oreal best targets

Global cosmetics company L'Oréal said April 20 that it has exceeded its corporate target of a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions four years ahead of schedule while increasing its production by 29% during the same period.

In an announcement pointing to its 2016 sustainability report, L'Oréal said it has reduced the emissions of its plants and distribution centers by 67% from a 2005 baseline. The company's U.S.-specific achievements include using 100% renewable energy for its U.S. manufacturing and cutting carbon emissions by 84%, according to a news release from L'Oréal USA.  

That progress in the U.S. is partially attributable to two new solar facilities in Arkansas and Kansas; the installation of 12 wind turbines in Texas; and an eco-design tool used across the company to assess the environmental impact of each product's life cycle. Those three new projects added in 2016 bring L'Oréal USA's total clean energy portfolio to 17 installations. The company also purchases locally-sourced renewable energy certificates in the U.S. 

"We have achieved and even exceeded our target of a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions, four years ahead of schedule. This is the result of an immense amount of work by all the teams concerned. It also sends out a strong signal: we are continuing to dissociate our growth from our environmental impact," Chairman and CEO Jean-Paul Agon said in a statement. "While climate change is a major challenge, and we are already seeing its effects on the most vulnerable populations, our commitment is stronger than ever."