Turning 40 this year, The Body Shop has unveiled a new global CSR strategy to reassert itself as a leader in sustainability.

Entitled ‘Enrich Not Exploit’ the commitment is an extensive program of global activity and measurable targets that touches all areas of the business, to be delivered by 2020.

Jeremy Schwartz, chairman and CEO, says The Body Shop’s 40th anniversary is the perfect time to reassert its leadership position in ethical business.

“For us, being truly sustainable means shaping our business to work in line with the planet’s natural systems so they can replenish and restore themselves,” Schwartz said.

“With our commitment we’re challenging ourselves to go further than we’ve ever gone before to make a real, sustainable and positive difference. We have set ourselves a significant goal to be the world’s most ethical and truly sustainable global business.”

The commitment has three key pillars: “enrich our people, enrich our products and enrich our planet.” There are 14 targets in the plan including ensuring 100 per cent of its ingredients are traceable and sustainably sourced, reducing the environmental footprint of its stores every time they are refurbished or redesigned and, helping 40,000 economically vulnerable people access work around the world.

Schwartz said The Body Shop can be a force for good and a profitable business at the same time.

“Forty years ago Anita Roddick set out a challenge for The Body Shop to tackle the big issues of her time. We’re now tackling the big issues of today. We want our Enrich Not Exploit Commitment to inspire a new generation of customers, supporters and especially millennials who truly care about how a company operates.”

Cathy Seaholme, GM of The Body Shop Australia, will be responsible for implementing the global framework in Australia.

“We have operated for more than 30 years in Australia, with a proud heritage of creating positive change in our society,” Seaholme said. “The new commitment maintains our leadership as a courageous business willing to act on our culture of social responsibility. I am excited and proud to be representing The Body Shop and the commitment in Australia.”

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