What: The Toronto-based luxury retailer is seeking to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is dropping fur and exotic skins.

Why it is important: Holt Renfrew wants to be seen as the most environmentally friendly retailer in the country, if not the world.

The Toronto-based Holt Renfrew said it’s the only retailer in Canada to have emissions reductions goals approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, which provides guidance to set science-based emissions reduction targets, consistent with goals of the Paris Agreements.

Holt Renfrew is working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030, from a 2019 base year. Holt has also targeted a 28% reduction in Scope 3 GHG emissions (generated by vendors and suppliers) by 2030.

In addition, Holt said 67% of its purchased goods and services, and upstream and downstream transportation, will have science-based targets by 2025. The most environmentally impactful materials — cotton, leather, down and feathers, plastic packaging, palm oil, and forest-derived fibres such as paper, wood and cellulosic — will come from certified/verified sustainable sources by the end of 2025. As part of a “zero waste strategy,” Holt said 85% of waste generated in its stores will be recycled rather than sent to landfills.

Holt already started to close its fur shops and has also been working with the Humane Society International/Canada on the wind down of Holt’s businesses in animal fur and exotic skins.

Holt Renfrew Gets Aggressive on Sustainability