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Sustainability

Explore our sustainable business programs

To reach our goal to eradicate poor vision in one generation, we must have a sustainable approach in all aspects of the business to support our ambition.

Sustainable

In everything we do

To be able to provide everyone, everywhere, with access to quality vision care is a big challenge in terms of sustainable development. To guide us in our efforts to achieve this challenge, we have four fundamental sustainability pillars:

People

We strive to develop a culture of learning, diversity and safety among our employees.

Environment

Our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint through water usage, energy reduction programs, as well as sustainable sourcing programs.

Society

By connecting with consumers through our website and philanthropic initiatives we seek to raise awareness of poor vision and educate around the importance of sight.

Governance

We champion our staff and suppliers to support our ethical business practices to cultivate an environment in which all our stakeholders feel valued and committed to supporting our ultimate goal.

Sustainability

Environmental Footprint

Energy savings

We strive to reduce our carbon footprint by sourcing all of our energy from renewable sources including photovaloptic, hydropower, biofuel and wind generation. Typically our energy is sourced 46% by wind generation, 31% from photovoltaic, 16% biomass and landfill gas generation and 7 % from hydropower.

Water management

The business continually looks at ways to improve the water usage throughout the manufacturing process by reducing the amount used as well as recycling the used water.

Fleet management

As part of our fleet management policy we review the vehicles available for business use. We include electric cars in our fleet and limit the choices in vehicles to allow for a controlled emissions output. Currently an average vehicle within our fleet emits 100g/Co2/km and we aim to get sub 100g/CO2/km by early 2020.

When working with our delivery services and suppliers we encourage them to adopt a low emission output with the vehicles they use.

Waste management

The Essilor sites have a nil to landfill waste management policy where staff are encouraged to recycle as many resources as possible. As a business we are continually looking at other ways we can reuse our waste. For example using 75% recycled cardboard to make new packaging as well as eliminating the use of single-use plastics by the end of 2019.

Essilor has a zero to landfill waste management policy that allows us to utilise recycling facilities. Waste that cannot be recycled is used to create energy with a low impact on the environment.

We have also partnered with a local company that allows us to donate furniture, equipment and more to charitable organisations, schools, NHS Trusts and other non-profits allowing them to maximise their spend on positive impacts within their community.

Sustainability

United Nations development agenda

On September 2015, 193 United Nations member countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. These sustainable development goals address the growing complexities of global and interconnected challenges requiring multi-stakeholder involvement.

At Essilor, we believe business has a significant role to play in solving these sustainable development challenges. Currently we contribute to 13 of the 17 sustainable development goals through both our core mission of improving vision and our management of impacts along our value chain.

The 13 goals we contribute to are: No poverty, Good health, Quality education, Gender equality, Clean water and sanitation, Renewable energy, Good jobs and economic growth, Innovation and infrastructure, Reduced inequalities, Responsible consumption, Climate action, Peace and justice, and Partnerships for the goals.