Williams-Sonoma, Inc. released its 2021 Impact Report, highlighting progress in its sustainability initiatives.
SAN FRANCISCO — Top 100 retailer Williams-Sonoma Inc. updated its progress and benchmarks toward sustainability and social impact goals with the release of its 2021 Impact Report.
In 2021, Williams-Sonoma Inc. became one of the first home furnishings retailers to set a Science-Based Target pledge to reduce emissions across its value chain by 2030 with a goal of carbon neutrality in the company’s own operations by 2025. The Impact Report details progress made in 2021 towards these environmental impact goals by highlighting achievements across the company’s value chain emissions inclusive of a 24% decrease in carbon intensity while revenue has grown by almost 40% since 2019.
“Sustainability has always been core to our business strategy, and we’re proud to have established a reputation for offering an industry-leading assortment of responsibly-made products,” said Laura Alber, president and CEO of Williams-Sonoma Inc. “We plan to continue to set goals and make progress on those goals in a way that inspires our customers and our entire industry.”
This year’s Impact Report also provides insights into the company’s tree-planting initiatives which were launched in 2021 when the Pottery Barn brand announced a commitment to plant 3 million trees by 2023. Officials say customers responded positively to the commitment and helped Pottery Barn make positive progress on the goal at a pace that inspired Williams-Sonoma Inc. to double-down on the commitment and increase the goal to plant 6 million trees within the same timeframe.
To accomplish the new tree-planting goal, Williams-Sonoma Inc. added all brands within the portfolio to participate in the customer-facing campaign. The company pledges to plant one tree for every indoor wood furniture product purchased.
The Impact Report outlines the progress made on the tree planting goal in 2021 as the company has planted more than 1.5 million trees to date. Many of these trees were planted as part of efforts to restore wildfire damage in California where the company is headquartered.
The Impact Report also shares insights into how the company has engaged the Williams-Sonoma Inc. vendor community to have 75% of products sourced from suppliers that offer worker well-being programs by 2030. This includes a commitment to paying an additional $10 million in Fair Trade Premiums and an investment of $50 million in Nest Certified products by 2025.
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Thomas Lester is Retail Editor for Furniture Today and Digital/Managing Editor for Home Accents Today. A graduate of Emory & Henry College’s Mass Communications program, Lester spent a dozen years working for newspapers in Virginia and North Carolina covering an array of subjects, ranging from community news, government, education, ACC sports, professional baseball and more before joining Furniture Today in 2013. Reach out to me with your story ideas, tips and more at tlester@furnituretoday.com.
