The Icons
  • SDG
  • ESG
  • Leadership
  • Business
  • World
  • Health
  • Succession
  • Innovation
  • More
    • Women
    • Entertainment
    • Academic
    • Culture
    • Lastest
    • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Opinion
    • About《The Icons》
  • Chinese 中文
Login
No Result
View All Result
The Icons
No Result
View All Result
Home Leadership

COP29 Leaders|Helena Helmersson on H&M Group’s Vision: Leading the Path to Accessible Sustainable Fashion

Daniel Carter by Daniel Carter
November 5, 2024
H&M Group’s CEO Helena Helmersson(Photography: Nordic Business)

H&M Group’s CEO Helena Helmersson(Photography: Nordic Business)

In a world of limited resources, calling fast fashion “sustainable” might seem paradoxical. Yet for H&M Group, this ambition is backed by bold actions. As part of the Race to Zero initiative, the Swedish multinational aims to achieve net zero emissions long before 2050, H&M Group’s CEO, Helena Helmersson, plans to make sustainable fashion both accessible and impactful, striving to become circular and climate positive by 2040. This means not only reducing its footprint but transforming its operations so that products will no longer contribute to waste.

You might also like

In the Age of AI, Where Lies the Next Battleground for Doctors’ ‘Personal Brands’? Harry Hsu, CEO of《The Icons》: Elevating to ‘Leadership Brands’, from Leveraging Personality to Defining an Era

Patent is More Than Protection! Miir Chen, Founder of FZ Patent & Trademark Ltd.: To Survive, Companies Must First Navigate the Gaps Between Policy and Market

CAMentrepreneurs Taiwan Forum: From Their Stories, Exploring the Innovative Journey from Local Resilience to the Global Stage

Pushing Bold Actions for Real Change

“What we’re seeing is that business as usual is simply not an option,” Helmersson states. “The science is clear; we can’t continue at the pace we used to. Now is the time for ambitious actions.” To that end, H&M has launched a Green Investment team focused on reducing emissions, along with Energy Efficiency teams to support suppliers transitioning to renewable energy. In 2023, H&M issued a sustainability-linked bond, tying financing directly to its sustainability goals: increasing recycled material usage to 30%, cutting emissions in its own operations by 20%, and lowering Scope 3 emissions by 10% by 2025. “These are tangible, short-term actions that keep us accountable,” Helmersson adds, emphasizing the urgency of immediate progress.

Beyond finances, H&M is actively exploring new business models, from rentals and subscriptions to advanced recycling technologies. “We’re investing in garment-to-garment recycling, which could be transformative for the industry. Our partnerships with innovators like Renewcell have enabled us to incorporate Circulose®, a material made from recycled cotton waste, into our collections,” she notes. Another example, Infinna™, made from regenerated cotton waste, is being used in collaboration with the Circular Innovation Lab to create closed-loop systems. These advances are more than experiments; Helmersson believes they mark a turning point for the entire fashion industry.

Tackling Emissions Across the Supply Chain

As a global fashion leader, H&M’s supply chain spans multiple regions, many of which still rely heavily on fossil fuels. “One of our biggest challenges is that much of our supply chain is in regions without renewable energy. This requires a collective effort to push for change beyond our own operations,” Helmersson explains. H&M’s membership in the RE100 initiative underlines its commitment to 100% renewable electricity, with 90% of its purchased electricity already meeting this goal. “We are collaborating with others to impact the entire supply chain and to work with governments to promote renewable infrastructure in these regions.”

The company is also implementing internal carbon pricing to reflect emissions costs across design, production, and distribution decisions. “By attaching a price to our carbon output, our teams are more aware of the environmental impact of their choices,” Helmersson explains. This internal tool is designed to foster measurable, long-term behavior change across the organization.

Transforming Fast Fashion Through Circular Models

Asked whether fast fashion is inherently unsustainable, Helmersson acknowledges that if fast fashion is based on a “wear-and-dispose” mentality, it certainly can be. “That’s not what we stand for,” she clarifies. “Our commitment is to transition from the linear models of the past toward more resilient, circular approaches.” In line with this, H&M has committed to using 100% recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030, reaching 64.5% in 2022. “This is one of the fastest and most impactful ways we can reduce our footprint,” she explains.

“We must innovate beyond materials,” Helmersson continues. “We’re rethinking everything from how clothes are designed to how they’re used, so that nothing ends up as waste. The goal is for fashion to be reused and recycled again and again.” H&M’s Circular Innovation Lab is pioneering this effort, partnering with bioMASON to test bioLITH bricks—made with microbial technology and drastically reducing environmental impact—in office renovations. These efforts reflect the company’s dedication to embedding sustainability at every level of its operations.

A Call for Industry-Wide Change

Looking ahead, Helmersson sees collaboration as essential. “To bring about real change, we need an industry-wide commitment aligned with science,” she says. “As a global retailer, we have a big role to play, but we need governments, other companies, and individuals to step up too.” For H&M, leading on sustainability is about more than business; it’s a long-term commitment to customers and the planet. “Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time,” she states. “The steps we take now will determine our future as a business and as a society. We’re here to serve customers for generations to come—and we can’t do that without sustainability at our core.”

With bold goals set for the coming years, H&M Group’s mission is clear: to make sustainable fashion accessible, affordable, and transformative for all.

Recommend for you:

COP29 Leaders|Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov: Advancing Climate Action and Global Unity at COP29

COP29 Leaders | COP29 National Committee Representative Parvana Valiyeva: Azerbaijan’s Vision for Climate Leadership

Tags: Climate ChangeCOP LeadersCOP29SDGSustainability
ShareShareTweet
Daniel Carter

Daniel Carter

Daniel Carter, Harvard University, MBA. Business columnist for 《The Icons》. Specializes in analyzing global market trends. I often unwind by playing jazz piano or experimenting with molecular gastronomy.

Recommended For You

Dr. Roger Chang, Founder of DR.HAO Academy, with Harry Hsu, CEO of 《The Icons》International Leaders Magazine. (Photo: The Icons)

In the Age of AI, Where Lies the Next Battleground for Doctors’ ‘Personal Brands’? Harry Hsu, CEO of《The Icons》: Elevating to ‘Leadership Brands’, from Leveraging Personality to Defining an Era

by Gary Kung
August 23, 2025

...

Miir Chen, Founder of FZ Patent & Trademark Ltd. (Photo: FZ Patent & Trademark Ltd.)

Patent is More Than Protection! Miir Chen, Founder of FZ Patent & Trademark Ltd.: To Survive, Companies Must First Navigate the Gaps Between Policy and Market

by Gary Kung
August 19, 2025

...

From left to right: NCKU Honorary President Professor Huey-Jen Jenny Su, NYCU Associate Professor Grace Hsiao Chan, NYCU Associate Professor Sirirat Sae Lim, CISL Head of Innovation Programmes Viola Jardon. (Photo: The Icons)

CAMentrepreneurs Taiwan Forum: From Their Stories, Exploring the Innovative Journey from Local Resilience to the Global Stage

by Isabelle Leclerc
August 12, 2025

...

Artist Szuchi Huang. (Photo: Szuchi Huang)

Beyond the Ethics of Viewing: Artist Szuchi Huang on Creation as a Gentle Response to Sustainability and Equality

by Gary Kung
July 30, 2025

...

Dr. Hung-Yin Tsai, President of Taiwan NIAR. (Photography: The Icons)

Technology and Sustainability at the Core: Bridging Taiwan and Cambridge as Dr. Hung-Yin Tsai, President of Taiwan NIAR, Advances Asian Innovation into Europe’s Decision-Making Hubs

by Nelson Tseng 曾竣賢
July 23, 2025

...

Next Post
Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA and Climate Champions Global Ambassador (Photography:Food4Transformation)

COP29 Leaders|Dr. Agnes Kalibata: Transforming Food Systems to Combat Climate Change and Strengthen Resilience

Top Views

From left to right: CAMentrepreneurs Founder Richard Lucas, British Chamber of Commerce Taipei Chair Samuel Yang, Cambridge University Taiwan Alumni Association President Ali Hsieh, NUWA Reprogramming CEO Ming Wen, and《The Icons》CEO Harry Hsu. (Photography: CAMentrepreneurs)

CAMentrepreneurs Taiwan Chapter Launches: Turning Every Local Connection into Part of a Global Whole

June 19, 2025
Andy Lin, President of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Junior Chapter. (Photography: Andy Lin)

Art Is Not Just Performance, It’s the Power to Transcend Borders! Andy Lin, President of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Junior Chapter: Let Music Become the Language That Changes the World

July 7, 2025

Semiconductor Industry Paves the Way for Taiwan-UK Relations! Jason Huang, General Manager of Taiwan’s Sentec Green Technology: Compound Semiconductors Not Only Reduce Energy Consumption but also Significantly Decrease Carbon Footprint

January 10, 2024
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang(Photography: BusinessToday)

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang: AI and Sustainability Dual Engines Driving a New Era

July 2, 2024
Kecia Steelman, CEO of Ulta Beauty. (Photography: WWD)

Kecia Steelman, CEO of Ulta Beauty: The Future of Beauty Is Not Just a Trend, but a Responsibility and a Call to Action

April 3, 2025
Shu-Ya Hsu, President of the NTNU Fine Arts Alumni Association. (Photography: NTNU Fine Arts Alumni Association)

Shaping the Future Through Creative Dialogue – Shu-Ya Hsu, President of the NTNU Fine Arts Alumni Association, on Art as a Force for Cultural Heritage

February 25, 2025

The Icons

  • About 《The Icons》
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Women

CATEGORIES

SDG Business Succession Academic Lifestyle
ESG World Innovation Culture Tech
Leadership Health Entertainment Latest Opinion

Contact us

Email: hello@theicons.net

   

© 2025 THE ICONS COLLECTIVE LTD. All Rights Reserved.

Sign in or create your account
OR USE
Please wait. Signing you in...
Forgot Password?
Signin with another account
OR USE
Please wait. Signing you in...
Already have an account? Login.
OR USE
Please wait. Signing you in...
Enter your email address or username to continue.
No Result
View All Result
  • Chinese 中文
  • SDG
  • ESG
  • Leadership
  • Business
  • World
  • Health
  • Succession
  • Innovation
  • Entertainment
  • Academic
  • Culture
  • Lastest
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
  • Opinion
  • About《The Icons》
  • Login

© 2025 THE ICONS COLLECTIVE LTD. All Rights Reserved.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?