Sustainability & Social Responsibility

H&M Group, which owns H&M is one of the most detailed and transparent companies surrounding their social responsibility and sustainabilities in the fast fashion space. Their goals are clear and defined by a value and timeline with yearly updates on their progress toward their goals. Each goal is either on track or exceeded past its goal between its timeline deadline. For the one exception that did not reach their goals, it was swiftly changed to a more realistic goal with accountability for not reaching the previous.  

Their progress towards better sustainable practices is also supported by recognized achievements and awards from reputable organizations. Alongside this, H&M Group also lists and links all relevant information from external organizations referencing their visions and practices. 

Their Social Responsibilities are outlined with multiple policies; including the HM Group Social Policies 2023, HM Group Human Rights Policy 2023, HM Group Salient Human Rights Issues 2022, and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights [provided by the United Nations]. These policies contain detailed information about working conditions, social conditions, human rights, gender equality, wages, and purchasing responsibilities. 

Overall, H&M Group has provided information transparently and actively working with Unions and Laws to provide a safe and inclusive environment. There is progress being made in the supply chain sustainability at an impressive rate. However, there could be more statistics under their Fair and Equal goal category, regarding Women's representation in the supply chain. Which seems to be lacking in effort and results in comparison to the data presented on their key production location information.

​

Below are the research results used to evaluate H&M's Sustainability and Social responsibility.