Kering Eyewear hosts the annual Sustainability Day, renewing its commitment to a better future
Kering Eyewear reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable future by once again organizing the Sustainability Day in Padua and inviting its key production partners to join in a moment of sharing and reflection on the three core principles that guide the Kering Group’s sustainability mission: "Care for the Planet, Collaborate for People, Create Innovation." The initiative is part of "Kering Eyewear for a Better Tomorrow," a platform launched last year with the goal of unifying all activities and projects related to these areas.
The event, held on Monday, September 23, involved the company’s long-term partners who have contributed to Kering Eyewear’s success over the past ten years. Participants had the opportunity to visit the Botanical Garden of Padua – one of the oldest and most prestigious in Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 – and the Botanical Museum, an important center for biodiversity research and conservation. Through an immersive experience, guests explored topics related to environmental protection and responsible management of natural resources, key concerns for Kering Eyewear.
The day continued with a workshop moderated by Anna Zandanel, engaging around 70 guests in a discussion on the role of social sustainability in the eyewear industry. The working groups were tasked with developing business strategies aimed at environmental and ethical responsibility through SustainAbility, a board game designed and created by Dr. Zandanel herself.
On this occasion, the “Best Sustainable Partner Award” was also introduced, which will be awarded starting next year to the three collaborators who best reflect ESG (environmental, social, and governance) criteria in the following categories: components and raw materials, finished product, packaging, and visual tools.
The Sustainability Day represents a unique opportunity to reflect on the goals achieved so far and those for the future: in line with the 2017-2025 action plan, with the recent objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2035, and the ambition to achieve full transparency throughout its supply chain (V.I.R.T.U.S. project), the company is working tirelessly to optimize production processes and reduce the use of natural resources through innovative practices. Similarly, it is committed to upholding the core principles enshrined in Kering's Code of Ethics and Sustainability Principles.
To guide its partners and strengthen their commitment to change, Kering Eyewear fully adheres to the Group’s sustainability requirements, known as Kering Standards, which are an essential tool for rethinking and renewing every aspect of the business, from the selection and sourcing of raw materials to production processes. Every area of the company is involved in this ongoing research: from an environmental standpoint, the focus is on innovation in chemical management, the introduction of new logistics solutions, and the search for alternatives for packaging and visual merchandising materials. As for social sustainability, key priorities include monitoring the respect of human rights and ensuring fair and sustainable labor practices.
Through events like this, Kering Eyewear demonstrates how collaboration and innovation are fundamental to addressing global sustainability challenges. This year’s event concluded with a clear message: the commitment to a better future requires concrete actions and the participation of all actors in the production chain.
Kering Eyewear thus confirms its dedication to leading the eyewear industry towards a responsible luxury model, where respect for the environment and people is at the heart of every decision.