GUERLAIN'S COMMITMENT, IN THE NAME OF BEAUTY
Between Guerlain and Nature there is a history of almost two centuries of inspiration. A source of wonder and an absolute model, Nature has animated the House's creations since its origins and enabled it to elevate Beauty to the level of Art. Committed to preserving this priceless heritage, Guerlain is committed to passing on its wonders to future generations, with the bee as its sentinel.
Since 2007, Guerlain has formalised its pioneering commitment to Nature, In the Name of Beauty, and places its preservation at the heart of its actions.
THE BEE AT HEART
Since 1853, the bee has been the emblem of the House. An exceptional pollinator, it offers the world the most beautiful flowers, which provide fragrance creators with the richest palette of compositions, and the products of the hive are the darlings of Guerlain skin care. Sentinel of the environment, guardian of biodiversity, the bee is essential to the food security of our planet. Today it is threatened and must be protected.
Guerlain has been working on this since 2011 through its “Guerlain for Bees Conservation Programme”, which brings together fifteen partnerships and initiatives: a network of mobilized allies that continues to expand.
IN THE NAME OF BEAUTY
The House of Guerlain has been creating exceptional fragrance and beauty products since 1828. It is committed to preserving, developing and transmitting this unique heritage. In the Name of Beauty, Guerlain is committed to elevating Nature into an Art form and passing on its wonders to future generations, with the bee as its sentinel. Hand in hand with its customers and partners who share the same vision, Guerlain works to imagine together a more beautiful and responsible world.
Both meaningful and ambitious, its CSR commitment and strategy are structured around four pillars. They are the subject of an annual report methodologically anchored in solid approaches and authoritative certifications.
FIRST PILLAR, BIODIVERSITY
Giving back to Nature what it offers, via sustainable channels but also a very strong commitment to the bee.
OUR NATURAL INGREDIENT CHAINS
In 2021, Guerlain became one of the first luxury Houses to become a member of the UEBT (Union for Ethical BioTrade) and initiated a verification process for each of its fifty emblematic natural ingredient chains, such as honeys, orchids and Guerlinade fragrance materials. Improvement plans are deployed with each partner, in a continuous improvement process aiming for certification with the UEBT standard by 2026. This certification requires a set of good practices : respect for biodiversity and protection of workers’ and communities’ rights.
MAY 20TH, WORLD BEE DAY
Since 2021, Guerlain has made a symbol of this day initiated by the UN. Each year, the House raises no less than one million euros to donate and accelerate the actions of its “Guerlain for Bees Conservation Programme”. A very special day in which one of the House's friends, Angelina Jolie, has participated since the beginning.
SECOND PILLAR, SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
Creating more natural formulas in more sustainable packaging, without compromising on quality, sensoriality or effectiveness. Develop transparency and traceability via the “Bee Respect” platform.
OUR ECO-INNOVATION APPROACH
Eco-innovation is the cardinal rule for everything Guerlain does. Reduction is a key element (by lightening containers and boxes). The House is also committed to the principles of refillability and recyclability. Finally, the drastic reduction of virgin plastics of fossil origin and the rapid integration of recycled or bio-sourced materials in new products complete this approach. From the design of a product to the end of its life, the environmental profile of creations is constantly evaluated by robust rating systems allowing for continuous improvement.
FORMULAS INSPIRED BY NATURE
Eco-formulation is at the heart of the House's priorities. In 2020, the iconic Terracotta powder was reinvented with a record 96% of ingredients of natural origin. In 2022, the Aqua Allegoria collection had a natural content of over 90%. And in 2022, the fifth generation of Orchidée Impériale cream boasted 96% of its ingredients of natural origin.
TRANSPARENCY WITH “BEE RESPECT”
“Bee Respect”, a transparency and traceability platform, allows everyone to discover the behind-the-scenes details of 100% of the House's creations*: ingredients, components, suppliers, production sites and carbon footprint.
THIRD PILLAR, THE CLIMATE
Acting for the climate and contributing to global carbon neutrality in all scopes by 2030. In 2021, the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validates Guerlain's commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. From now on, the Company's objectives are officially aligned with those of the Paris Agreement, to help limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
PRODUCTION SITES OF REFERENCE
Since 2021, the La Ruche production site in France has reduced its carbon footprint by 93% by using 100% biomethane, a “green gas”. Since 2022, 80% of Guerlain's sites and its subsidiaries have been ISO 14001 certified. Guerlain also conducts an annual assessment of its greenhouse gas emissions (Bilan Carbone© and GHG Protocol methodologies).
FOURTH PILLAR, SOCIETAL IMPACT
Creating a positive societal impact and acting to perpetuate the wonders of Nature.
THE “WOMEN FOR BEES” PROGRAMME
This Guerlain women's beekeeping entrepreneurship programme is linked to UNESCO and local reference NGOs. It aims to empower women through a sustainable business activity and to contribute to the protection of endemic bees.
This programme has already been implemented in France, Cambodia, Japan, Spain, Italy and Mexico and will continue to be rolled out worldwide in the coming years.
THE "BEE SCHOOLS"
Their mission is to raise awareness of bee protection among the new generation. Since 2018 in France and 2021 worldwide, they have been run in primary schools around the world by Guerlain employees: exchanges, questions and answers and fun workshops with the potential to educate several hundred thousand children in the coming years.
GUERLAIN AND CULTURAL RESPONSIBILITY
Acting, inspiring, educating and communicating responsibly.
COMMUNICATE DIFFERENTLY
Guerlain is working on both the content of its messages and the way it produces them. It aims to raise awareness and encourage action towards the causes it supports. But it is also working to develop new standards of image production, for reduced impact, in line with the Aqua Allegoria campaign in 2022. This innovative approach consists of minimising its overall impact, from the conception to the distribution of images.
ART AS A SUSTAINABLE MESSENGER
The Exceptional Pieces, as pieces of Art, are messengers of the House's commitment. Through the selection of artists who are sensitive to environmental issues, they bring the duality of Art and sustainable development to the forefront. William Amor, Kevin Germanier, Tomáš Libertíny... all of these artists are associated with the House in this direction: Beauty in the service of Good.
COMMITTED PARTNERSHIPS
Finally, the House is initiating committed artistic and cultural partnerships, in particular with the entry into the “Art and Ecology” circle of the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. It is thus joining forces with Europe's largest centre for contemporary creation in the field of Art and sustainable development.
GUERLAIN’S “SUSTAINABLE BOARD”
Guerlain created a first in the luxury industry in 2021 when it created a panel of thirteen independent experts. The panel helps Guerlain steer its actions and accelerate its commitment. At the forefront of sustainable development issues, this exceptional committee anticipates with the House the emergence of new challenges and identifies new solutions.