On Earth Day, companies commit to adopt more sustainable practices in an attempt to safeguard our tomorrow

• Advertising agencies and brands come forward on Earth Day and make the promise of reducing their environmental footprint.
• From optimizing packaging to accelerate the shift to a circular economy to using 100% recycled plastic, here’s how the companies are trying to build a better world for tomorrow.

From floods in Chamoli to wildfires in Uttrakhand, the cascade of environmental calamities in India have not stopped, even as we grapple with a global pandemic. Earth Day reminds us all to help the planet take a much-needed break. It brings us closer to the stark reality and reminds us that we need more urgent action and change in the face of climate emergency.

April 22nd is celebrated as Earth Day across the world with an aim of pledging support for environmental protection. According to earthday.org, this year’s theme focuses on ‘Restoring the Earth.’

“Climate change and other environmental degradations have broken our natural systems, leading to new and fatal diseases as well as a breakdown of the global economy. But just as climate change and coronavirus painfully remind us of the harm we’ve caused, Restore Our Earth reminds us of the opportunities that lay ahead,” reads the website.

In the last few years, sustainability has become more than just a buzzword in the marketing and advertising world. It is now one of the biggest decision-making factors. Consumers are asking for more transparency and expecting to see more concrete action from Indian brands.

So, this year, more companies have come forward to help limit global warming, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aim for energy-efficient processes by using renewable energy, become water positive by reducing, recycling and reusing, and protecting our environment and its precious species.

L’Oréal Paris

L’Oréal Paris is on a mission of reducing its carbon footprint by 50% per finished product by 2030. It will also contribute 10 million Euros to environmental projects whose beneficiaries are communities of women around the world. It has pledged to reduce the weight of its products and use 100% recycled plastic.

It will also join the LOOP initiative and take part in a project to trial new types of durable packaging. The new shampoo and conditioner packaging will be made of aluminum, and sold with a deposit, on the retailer’s website. After using the products, consumers will be able to return the packaging to the retailer that will collect and return the packaging to L’Oréal Paris for cleaning and refiling.

KitKat

KitKat has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2025. It aims to reduce the emissions generated through the sourcing of its ingredients, the manufacturing of the product and its distribution by more than 50% as part of the plan.

Most emissions occur when producing KitKat's ingredients like cocoa and milk. The brand will reduce these emissions as much as possible through initiatives like restoring forests and supporting a transition to regenerative agriculture. For any emissions that cannot be eliminated, the brand will invest in high quality offsetting based on natural climate solutions. It has promised to expand its regenerative agriculture, accelerate the transition to renewable electricity,

KitKat is also working with The Carbon Trust, a global climate change and sustainability consultancy, to measure the brand's current carbon footprint and will complete this process later in 2021.

Reebok

Reebok has released a new version of its innovation in running footwear: Floatride Energy GROW, the plant-based running shoe for high-performance. It combines the Forever Floatride Energy model with the commitment and responsibility to protect the environment and strive to create a fitter planet. It guarantees that at least 50% of the used materials are plant-based. It is also committed to reducing virgin polyester from its material mix and eliminating it altogether by 2024. Reebok is focusing sustainability efforts under two pillars: [REE]GROW, which focuses on the creation of products from natural materials; and [REE]CYCLED, which focuses on creating products using recycled or repurposed materials.

WPP

WPP has announced a new commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions in its operations by 2025 and across its entire supply chain by 2030. To deliver net zero emissions from WPP’s operations, electricity will be 100% renewably sourced by 2025.

Within WPP’s supply chain, which accounts for the overwhelming majority of the company’s emissions, the two largest sources are the production of advertising content and, most significantly, the placement of that content in media channels from television and press to radio and online. WPP is the first in its industry to include media in its net zero commitment.

Fossil

Fossil has launched vegan cactus leather, an innovative material new to the industry, through the collection of Kier Cactus Leather Totes. Each bag is designed with material made from organically grown cactus leaves developed by Desserto, a Mexico-based company with a focus on sustainable materials.

Apart from that, Fossil Group’s ongoing commitments towards pro-planet progress include:
Design and produce 100% of our product to meet our pro-planet criteria by 2025
Make 100% of our primary packaging recyclable and/or reusable by 2025.
Lead in circular business model approaches — where our materials can be used, reused and reduced — by 2025.
Reduce water consumption for leather tanning by 45% by 2025.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.
Eliminate virgin plastics in our supply chain by 2030.

Mamaearth

Mamaearth aims to plant 1 million+ trees within 5 years. They have also been ensuring that no toxins or harmful chemicals are used in their products, with a list of 1,193 toxins on their watch out list while developing. Over the past 1 year, they have also recycled 1,135 metric tonnes of plastic, which is way more than the plastic they use.

LG Electronics

As a commitment towards a sustainable future, LG Electronics India on the occasion of Earth Day has announced a campaign themed #UPGRADERESPONSIBLY. The campaign focuses on how discarding old electronics irresponsibly hurts the environment, which ends up affecting our health. The launch of this video aims to create awareness around the simple solution of discarding e-waste to help save the planet. The video provides information about how one can responsibly discard their old electronics by simply calling up LG helpline. It shows how LG recycles or discards old electronics in a responsible and organized manner.