Natural raw materials depend on healthy and diverse ecosystems, sustained by intact and thriving biodiversity. As our products are predominantly crafted from natural materials such as cotton and wool, this underscores our deep reliance on the preservation of biodiversity. This dependency is shared across the broader fashion industry, which significantly impacts ecosystems worldwide. Unsustainable cultivation practices, such as the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in cotton farming, and habitat destruction through extensive land use and deforestation contribute to biodiversity loss. Additionally, the extraction of raw materials like cotton and leather through the exploitation and expansion of agricultural land can lead to habitat loss, while relying on virgin materials in general as well as waste generation during manufacturing exacerbate these challenges. Recognizing these industry-wide impacts, HUGO BOSS has made biodiversity a priority in its sustainability management, striving to balance our dependency on natural resources with proactive efforts to mitigate adverse impacts on ecosystems.
Transition plan for biodiversity and ecosystems
HUGO BOSS is actively taking steps to address the important topic of biodiversity and ecosystems. This includes conducting a comprehensive resilience analysis of our business model and strategy concerning biodiversity and ecosystem-related risks. As a first step, we are currently planning to conduct a biodiversity impact assessment, which will lay the groundwork for a future resilience analysis. This assessment will also inform the potential development of a transition plan, ensuring that biodiversity considerations are systematically integrated into our strategic framework.
Policies related to biodiversity and ecosystems
Our Environmental Policy underscores our commitment to sustainability by conserving natural resources, enhancing energy efficiency, and addressing material risks, while also seizing opportunities to promote renewable energy and resource efficiency across our operations and supply chain. The policy underscores our efforts to conserve resources by continuously evaluating and adopting alternative materials that reduce impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems. Further details on the policy are available in the “Climate Change” section. Climate Change
Our Biodiversity Strategy Paper emphasizes our responsibility to care for and enhance ecosystems as part of our broader sustainability commitment. The framework is designed to address key dependencies on natural resources such as cotton and wool, while including specific, measurable targets to reduce the negative environmental impact across our supply chain. Our approach prioritizes responsible sourcing and generally excludes materials such as exotic leather. We collaborate closely with organizations such as Canopy to adopt practices that support biodiversity. These partnerships strengthen our commitment to better raw material sourcing and highlight our role in caring for vulnerable ecosystems. Our strategy addresses both physical risks – such as fluctuations in raw material availability from climate-sensitive regions – and transition risks tied to the ongoing shift towards regenerative or closed-loop materials. Our risk assessment process is guided by the LEAP (locate, evaluate, assess, and prepare) framework from the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD), which helps us to identify biodiversity-related dependencies and risks across our supply chain.
To enhance transparency and accountability, HUGO BOSS is committed to ensuring traceability across its supply chain. We source from certified suppliers, such as tanneries accredited by the Leather Working Group (LWG) and adhere to Canopy’s standards for our wood-based materials to prevent deforestation. This includes our standard that all man-made cellulosic fibers we use – such as lyocell, modal, and viscose – are required to be certified. Our Biodiversity Strategy Paper also aims to sustain biodiversity by prioritizing the avoidance of deforestation for resources including cotton and wood-based packaging. By emphasizing sustainable land use and partnering with regenerative farming initiatives, we actively support ecosystem resilience. Regenerative farming is a holistic approach that aims to restore and enhance soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. It promotes practices such as crop rotation, reducing the use of critical chemicals, and protecting endangered species to support more environmentally friendly agricultural systems. Since there is currently no standardized definition of this concept, HUGO BOSS has developed its own clearly defined standards. Actions related to Biodiversity and Ecosystems
HUGO BOSS is committed to forest conservation by responsibly sourcing materials for paper, packaging, and fabrics. This approach is reflected in our Commitment to Protect Forests, which applies to all wood-derived materials used in paper, packaging, and fabrics throughout our global operations. This policy was developed with careful consideration of our stakeholders’ interests, including environmental organizations, suppliers, and consumers. In support of this commitment, HUGO BOSS adheres to recognized third-party standards, including those of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), reinforcing our dedication to sustainable sourcing.
Targets related to biodiversity and ecosystems
To contribute to the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems as part of its broader sustainability strategy, HUGO BOSS has set the goal of sourcing 100% of natural materials used in its products’ fabrics and linings according to regenerative principles or through closed-loop recycling by 2030. License products are excluded from this goal. As of 2024, 12% of our natural materials have already met these criteria (2023: 1%). This commitment is aimed to minimize our impact on natural resources while actively supporting ecological restoration. By prioritizing regenerative farming, we aim to enhance soil health, restore habitats, and promote biodiversity, moving beyond conventional practices such as monoculture farming and excessive pesticide use. Our focus on closed-loop recycling further reduces the dependence on virgin raw materials, decreasing waste and protecting ecosystems from resource extraction pressures.
Actions in relation to biodiversity and ecosystems
Recognizing the importance of intact ecosystems and biodiversity, we are taking steps to identify, assess, and disclose nature-related risks and opportunities, thereby improving decision-making and accountability. In this context, we plan to publish our first Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) report in 2025, drawing on our experience with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) report, which we have been publishing annually since 2021. By integrating biodiversity and ecosystem considerations into our financial and strategic planning, we aim to further strengthen our sustainability commitment.
To prepare for TNFD reporting, a key priority in 2024 was to identify and implement a tool for a comprehensive biodiversity impact assessment. In 2025, we plan to extend the tool’s application to our Tier 1 suppliers and Tier 4 farmers practicing regenerative farming. For Tier 1, our initial focus will be on identifying suppliers located near biodiversity hotspots and ecologically sensitive areas. A thorough analysis will assess aspects such as land use and changes, proximity to sensitive ecosystems, and the presence of threatened species. These findings will inform the development of our biodiversity strategy and a transition plan with actionable steps and timelines. Once these foundations are established, we will expand the assessment to include other relevant suppliers. In close collaboration with key stakeholders like regenerative farmers and local communities, we will then implement the plan to support both biodiversity preservation and community resilience.
In 2024, we expanded our portfolio of approved farms and farmer associations, laying the foundation for scaling our regenerative farming initiative in the coming years. A cornerstone of this effort is our partnership with Raddis, a cooperative based in India promoting regenerative farming and empowering farmers directly. In 2024, we extended this partnership for another three years to further strengthen these efforts.
At HUGO BOSS, we recognize the importance of fostering direct engagement with farmers and agricultural associations committed to cultivating regenerative raw materials. To ensure consistency and alignment across our regenerative sourcing efforts, we developed an internal Regenerative Agriculture Brochure. This comprehensive guide outlines our approach to regenerative farming and establishes clear criteria across four key areas: soil health, biodiversity, animal welfare, and social fairness. A key aspect is the detailed explanation of our evaluation process for regenerative partners, which follows five distinct steps: scouting, nominating, interviewing, evaluating and approving. Furthermore, the brochure outlines the three performance levels of our regenerative principles: improving soil health and conserving biodiversity, restoring biodiversity, and promoting social fairness. This structured approach ensures targeted support for farmers at various stages of their regenerative journey.
To promote biodiversity not only on land but also in the oceans and to support the restoration of marine ecosystems, in 2024, the HUGO BOSS Foundation has entered into a long-term partnership with Coral Gardeners. Established in 2023, the HUGO BOSS foundation is dedicated to supporting climate and environmental protection initiatives around the globe. Coral Gardeners, a non-profit organization, focuses on the restoration and conservation of coral reefs in regions such as French Polynesia, Fiji, and Thailand. As part of this partnership, the HUGO BOSS Foundation will contribute EUR 2 million to Coral Gardeners over several years, reinforcing its commitment to protecting our planet’s ecosystems.