Body Shop turns 40 with new sustainability goals

The Body Shop, a pioneer of ethical business practices in retail, is reaffirming its commitment to corporate social responsibility as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.



The all-natural beauty retailer has unveiled a new CSR strategy, “Enrich Not Exploit,” that extends to all areas of its operations and is aimed at making the company “the world’s most ethical and truly sustainable global business.”



"Our ground-breaking campaigns were ahead of their time and changed laws on animal testing, domestic violence and human trafficking,” said Jeremy Schwartz, chairman and CEO, The Body Shop, which has more than 3,000 stores across the globe. “Today for all of us, the greatest challenges lie ahead and The Body Shop's 40th anniversary is the perfect time to reassert our aim for leadership in ethical business.”



The new program sets 14 specific targets, measurable by 2020, that include the powering of all its stores with renewable or carbon-balanced energy, and reducing the annual energy use of its stores by 10%.



In addition, the Body Shop committed itself to reducing the environmental footprint of its stores with every redesign or update, and to develop and deliver three new sustainable packaging innovations. It also said it would work to ensure that 70% of its total product packaging does not contain fossil fuels.



On the product front, the retailer’s targets include ensuring that 100% of its natural ingredients are traceable and sustainably sourced, and developing an “innovation pipeline” that delivers pioneering cosmetic ingredients from biodiversity hotspots and which helps to enrich the areas.



To read the full list of targets, click here. www.thebodyshop.com/Commitment



Founded in 1976 in Brighton, England, by Anita Roddick, the Body Shop was an early proponent of the idea that business should be a force for good. In 2006, the company was acquired by beauty giant L'Oréal.