L'Oreal shares success of its 'Sharing Beauty With All' program

L'Oreal, the leading beauty company in the world, has been at the forefront of sustainable initiatives with its 'Sharing Beauty With All' program. Launched in 2013, this program has been designed to evaluate the company's impact from ingredient sourcing to consumer usage, focusing on all aspects of sustainability. The program is a key part of L'Oreal's sustainability commitments for 2020 and is based on four pillars: innovating sustainably, producing sustainably, living sustainably, and developing sustainably. To delve deeper into this initiative, Alexandra Palt, Global Chief Sustainability Officer at L'Oreal, recently shared insights with CNBC Africa. Palt discussed the importance of sustainability and detailed how the company is working towards achieving its goals. With a global strategy that places a significant emphasis on sustainability, L'Oreal is committed to making a positive impact wherever it operates. This commitment extends to South Africa, where the company has been actively involved in promoting sustainability in its operations. By setting high environmental standards and innovating sustainably, L'Oreal aims to cater to African consumers' needs while also reducing its environmental footprint. The company has established a research and innovation center in South Africa to develop products tailored to the local market, focusing on efficacy, performance, price, and sustainability. Palt emphasized that all products developed by L'Oreal must improve on environmental or social aspects, with the goal of enhancing the overall sustainability of its offerings. As of the end of 2015, L'Oreal had achieved a commendable 74% sustainability rate in its products, with ongoing efforts to enhance this further. Palt showcased a product that is 98% biodegradable, with a bottle made from 100% recycled plastic, highlighting the company's commitment to sustainable practices. In addition to innovating sustainably, L'Oreal is focused on producing sustainably by reducing its carbon emissions and environmental impact. The company has successfully decoupled growth from carbon emissions, achieving a reduction of more than 60% in carbon emissions while increasing production by 26%. This impressive feat underscores L'Oreal's dedication to sustainability across its global operations. In South Africa, L'Oreal is addressing water-related issues due to water scarcity by developing products that require less water usage and working on projects like wastewater treatment with local partners. The company is also exploring ways to recycle water in hair salons, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable practices at all levels of its operations. When it comes to engaging stakeholders along its complex supply chain, L'Oreal ensures that sustainability criteria are integrated into its supplier evaluations and works closely with partners to uphold human rights and ethical working conditions. By leading by example and fostering a culture of sustainability, L'Oreal continues to inspire its stakeholders to embrace sustainable practices as part of their partnership with the company. As L'Oreal remains dedicated to its 'Sharing Beauty With All' program and sustainability goals, the company sets a strong example for the beauty industry and beyond, proving that sustainability can go hand in hand with beauty and innovation.