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How sustainable is Gap ?

Gap & sustainability


Gap

8 out of 20

Sustainability summary

Brand owner: Gap Inc.
Head office: San Fransisco, CA, USA
Sector: Retailers
Categories : Male, Female, Kids, Baby
Free Tags: Gap, Bags, Caps, Pullover, Shirts, Jackets, Jeans, Dress, Shoes, Boots

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What's your sustainability news about Gap?

Gap sustainability score report

Last edited: 8 May 2013 by Niels
Last reviewed: 25 April 2013 by Mario

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

2 out of 5
1. Is there a policy for the brand to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions? GAP Inc. (brand owner of GAP) has taken several policy measures to reduce carbon emissions, such as an Energy Management Program. Source
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual absolute carbon footprint of its 'own operations' (Scope 1 & 2) and has the brand already reduced or compensated 10% of these emissions in the last 5 years? GAP Inc. reduced its footprint from 615.105 tons of CO2 in 2008 to 491.860 tons of CO2 in 2011, which represents a reduction of 20%. Source
3. Is the efficiency of greenhouse gas emissions below 200 kg CO2-eq per square meter shopping floor per year, or does the brand use at least 25% green electricity for the shops? GAP Inc. reports that GAP is pursuing its first LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard for green building expertise) stores in Chinook, Canada. However the company does not provide further information concerning this matter. Source
4. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its absolute ‘own operations’ carbon emissions by at least 20% within the next 5 years? GAP Inc. (brand owner of GAP) has set a target to reduce its GHG with 20% in 2015 compared to 2008. This is 7 years and not 5, which is not sufficient for a yes. Source
5. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the product supply chain that is beyond own operations (Scope 3)? GAP Inc. (brand owner of GAP) states it's shifting more of its focus towards the footprint of its supply chain although they have less direct influence over these areas. However, it is unclear whether Gap Inc. means its not owned subsidiairies. Source

Questions about Environmental Policy

0 out of 6
1. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 5% of its volume? GAP Inc. (brand owner of GAP) reports to support sustainable design and innovation in its brands. Additionally, the company mentios that in 2010, Gap partnered with Cotton Inc (see Recycle Your Blues). However, no specific percentages could be found on its website. Source
2. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 10% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
3. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 25% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
4. Is there a policy for the brand (company) to eliminate all hazardous chemicals from the whole lifecycle and all production procedures to make the clothes and footwear? GAP Inc. has started the Wastewater Quality Program in 2004, ensuring producers to clean up production wastewater, and has extended this program to denim in 2008. However, GAP has not published any commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals from the whole life cycle of products. Source
5. Does the brand (company) have a clear and effective policy to minimize environmental pollution of chromium and other harmful substances from leather tanning processes, e.g. by waste water treatment or by vegetable tanning? Neither GAP Inc. nor GAP do openly communicate a policy to limit chromium and other harmful substances pollution caused by leather tanning processes. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices. Source
6. Does the brand (company) have a clear target to phase out PVC in their products, and has the brand already achieved a PVC phase out level of more than 90%? Niether GAP Inc. nor GAP report about having a plan to phase out PVC in their products. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices. Source

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

6 out of 9
1. Does the brand (company) have a supplier Code of Conduct (CoC) which includes the following standards: No forced or slave labor, no child labor, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace? Gap Inc. (brand owner of GAP) is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), but has its own Code of Vendor Conduct (CoVC). In this CoVC, all standards are mentioned (see page 8-9). Source
2. Does this CoC include at least two of the following workers rights: 1. to have a formally registered employment relationship 2. to have a maximum working week of 48 hours with voluntary and paid overtime of 12 hours maximum 3. to have a sufficient living wage? 1. Not mentioned; 2. The maximum allowable working hours are less than what is permitted by national law or 48 hours per week plus voluntary overtime of 12 maximum; 3. No, mentioning of minimum and industry wage, factories are only encouraged to provide wages that are sufficient to cover workers' basic needs and some discretionary income (see page 10). Source
3. Does this Code of Conduct include the right for workers to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; and in those situations where these rights are restricted under law, the right to facilitate parallel means of independent and free association and bargaining? This right is mentioned, with reference to parallel means for the situation of law restrictions (see page 9). Source
4. Does the brand (company) have a clear and effective health and safety policy for the workers in the finishing process of jeans, at least covering the ban on sandblasting? Neither GAP Inc. nor GAP have not publicly issued that sandblasting is banned from the brand's supply chains. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices. Source
5. Does the brand (company) have a published list of direct suppliers, that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume? GAP Inc. provides a list with sourcing countries. However, it does not provide a list with a minimum of 90% of its suppliers. Source
6. Is the brand (company) a member of a collective initiative that aims to improve labor conditions, or does the brand (company) purchase its supplies from accredited factories with improved labor conditions? GAP Inc. is a member of Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). Source
7. Do independent civil society organizations like NGO's and labor unions have a decisive voice in this collective initiative or in these certification schemes? Gap Inc. is a member of ETI, which means that Labour Unions and/or business-independent NGO’s have a formal and co-decisive voice within the initiative and are co-responsible for the integrity and credibility of the initiative. Source
8. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labor conditions policy? Gap Inc. gives a clear overview of data of the supply chain. Source
9. Has the brand’s labor conditions policy resulted in a ‘compliance level’ of at least 30% of the purchase volume, or a ‘monitored level' of at least 80%? In 2011, 98,7% of the factories of Gap Inc. were monitored. Source