Restoring Nature & Climate

In 2005, the first laboratory was set up in Madagascar, where scientists discovered the exceptional skin repairing properties of the Vanilla planifolia orchid. Since then, further labs have been established in Bhutan, Costa Rica, Provence Alpes Cotes d’Azur, and Gaujacq in France.

In the grounds of our Open-Sky Lab in Gaujacq, Gabrielle Chanel’s favourite flower, the winter-blooming white camellia, are studied and cultivated. This botanic garden is now home to 2,700 Camellia japonica ‘Alba Plena’, 15 hectares Camellia oleifera and 5,000 Gardenias.

As a result of the agricultural practices used on the land, Chanel’s Fragrance & Beauty business has obtained the Agriculture Biologique organic farming label. In addition, Gaujacq farm has also gained the 3 HVE (High Environmental Value) environmental certification, identifying farming practices covering four key areas: biodiversity conservation, crop protection strategy, management of fertiliser and management of water resources.

To support the implementation of these practices, the Laboratory provides its suppliers with technical expertise and assists them in attaining internationally recognised certifications. For over four decades, the Laboratory of Fragrance Creation and Development has sourced flowers from Chanel’s fields, managed by the Mul family in the Pays de Grasse region. The farm achieved Regenerative Organic Certification® in 2024. 100% of their fields are cultivated in line with principles of regenerative agriculture, both ensuring respect for organic and soil health and ensuring social equity for all employees on the farm. Regenerative Organic Certified® is an internationally recognised standard for organic agriculture for the certification of food, fibre, and personal care ingredients.

Since 2019, Chanel has joined Pour une Agriculture Du Vivant (PADV), a multi stakeholder association that supports French farmers in adopting regenerative agricultural practices within a sustainable supply chain. As a member of PADV, Chanel is actively engaged in long-term collaboration programs to promote large scale regenerative agronomic practices to enhance the economic, environmental, and social performance of farms of the French sugar beet industry. Though actions supported by PADV, 75 producers committed to regenerative agricultural practices. Sugar beets are used to produce natural alcohol, which is essential for CHANEL’s fragrances.

As of 2023, Chanel has been sourcing its entire supply of sugar beet alcohol on a mass balance approach¹ from both organic certified farmers and regenerative agricultural producers who promote these practices. The agricultural supplier and the farmers involved are supported through the implementation of agroecological premiums, which are used to finance additional costs associated with changing practices, expertise and technical support.

^¹ Mass balance approach: Chanel purchases an equivalent volume that meets the traceability requirements from the producer and their plot, which has an action plan in place or already complies with Chanel's sustainable sourcing requirements, without physical traceability.

This project is aimed at understanding their ecosystem and developing the most exceptional quality and sustainable cashmere for our products.

Chanel Fashion continues to scale less carbon intensive agricultural practices among the goat herder populations with whom we work, notably in feed and pasture management, which in 2024 has translated into carbon reductions within our footprint and other environmental performance indicators.

Upstream portions of Chanel Fashion's supply chain have been certified to both organic and Fair for Life standards, a first in the sector.

To maintain momentum and track progress, we have also committed to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 50% by 2030, from a 2021 base year, and to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 42% within the same timeframe¹.

When addressing our emissions, we continue to prioritise the areas that contribute most to our footprint, designing roadmaps to decarbonise at the product, supply chain, business activity or regional level. This includes expanding regenerative agricultural practices, decarbonising transportation and supply chain manufacturing, and investing in circularity.

In 2021, we expanded the scope of our reporting to include integrated suppliers as part of our carbon footprint. We maintain a strong focus on reducing our emissions, particularly as we continue to welcome supply chain operations into our House, taking on their whole carbon footprint.

For more information on our approach see the Net Zero 2040 paper.

^¹ In addition, we have set a target to reduce scope 3 GHG forest, land and agriculture emissions (FLAG) 30.3% by 2030 and 72% by 2040, calculated from a 2021 base year. Return to content