The Net Zero Salons Programme launches to help salons in the UK and Ireland through the process of becoming a Net Zero business

26^th January 2023, London – L’Oréal and Net Zero Now, the climate action platform, have partnered to develop an industry-first initiative, the Net Zero Salons Programme – to enable hair salons to embark on the journey to Net Zero, open to salons across the UK and Ireland.

The Net Zero Salons Programme guides salons through the process of calculating, tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through tailored carbon reduction plans, with the ultimate ambition of certifying as a “Net Zero Salon”. Developed by Net Zero Now in partnership with L’Oréal, as well as involving peer reviews and input from across the industry, the programme is based on a salon-specific roadmap and tool for measuring, tracking, reporting and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

With approximately 31,000 hair salons up and down UK high streets, salons play a significant role in the beauty economy. Data from the initial Net Zero Salons Programme pilot estimates that the average salon appointment produces 3.1kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year. In line with Science Based Targets, the programme aims to empower salons and clients alike to play their role in taking carbon reduction action and recommends that salons on the programme work towards a benchmark of 2kg per salon appointment. If all salons in the UK achieved this 2kg benchmark, the industry could remove approximately a third (33 per cent) of its greenhouse gas emissions. 

Client habits and expectations on sustainability are evolving: recent L’Oréal surveys found that nearly half of British women (45 per cent) said they made more sustainable choices in 2022 than in previous years, and when looking more specifically at salons, 43 per cent wanted to see their salon doing more to be sustainable, and nearly a quarter (23 per cent) said they now expect a beauty or wellness service provider to be committed to reducing their environmental footprint.

The programme aims to make the journey to becoming a “Net Zero Salon” accessible for all salons by providing personalised and actionable recommendations; from switching to renewable energy and becoming more energy efficient, improving waste treatment and management, reducing water consumption and heating, to incentivising employees with ride to work schemes or encouraging public transport options. The programme is open to salons in the UK & Ireland who can discover more and sign up to the programme now:  www.netzero.salon

Simon Heppner, Co-Founder, Net Zero Now said: “We are very excited to introduce this industry-first roadmap and tool for the salon sector in partnership with L’Oréal. This programme is open to all salons, empowering the whole industry to play its part in tackling the climate crisis and meeting the growing expectations of consumers and employees. We know this programme can help salons to be even more efficient by reducing energy and water consumption which we hope also brings more business resilience for the future. With Net Zero initiatives now live in hospitality, accountancy, tech services and salons, we’re providing tens of thousands of small businesses with the tools they need to take their first steps on the road to Net Zero.”  

Adam Reed, Adam Reed London, hairdresser & salon owner said: “I am delighted to be one of the first salons to be part of the L’Oréal and Net Zero Now ‘Net Zero Salons Programme’. Sustainability is something that is incredibly important to me as an individual and as a business leader – and it is something that both my team and clients actively ask about and want to see us taking action on. 

“I have been embarking on my salon’s sustainability journey for some time and new tools like the programme protocol are invaluable for our sector. The tool has helped me to understand where I am at on my journey by calculating and tracking, and then importantly, has helped me to accelerate with a personalised reduction plan and making my salon business more resilient for the future.” 

 

Millie Kendall OBE, CEO British Beauty Council said: “Now more than ever – especially post pandemic – salons play an essential role on our British high streets and local communities; with the power to not only inspire confidence and promote wellbeing, but to be an advocate for positive change – not only from a business perspective but extending to influencing consumer habits on important topics such as sustainability. This new Net Zero Salons Programme, coupled with L’Oréal’s new educational offerings to help up skill hairdressers on sustainability, is really empowering the salon sector to play its role and take action.”

Leading names in the salon industry, including Adam Reed (London), Trevor Sorbie (Manchester) and Linton & Mac (Scotland), were amongst the 17 salons who enrolled on the Net Zero Salons Programme pilot to help develop this industry-first actionable salon carbon footprint tracker and roadmap. 

The Net Zero Salons Programme is part of L’Oréal Groupe’s wider 2030 sustainability roadmap, L’Oreal For The Future, a set of measurable targets on climate, water, biodiversity and natural resources. As part of this roadmap, L’Oréal is committed to supporting its partner salons – and the wider industry – to adopt more sustainable business practices through its Hairstylists for the Future programme. This already established programme, has been developing innovative solutions to support salons across environmental pillars such as waste, through a partnership with the Green Salon Collective and water, providing solutions for responsible water use and lowering water consumption with the new L’Oréal Water Saver, a showerhead that uses jet-fusion technology to significantly reduce a salon’s water consumption at the backwash, which is set to roll out in spring 2023. 

Clichy, 25th June 2020 – L’Oréal launches today its new sustainability program “L’Oréal for the future”, laying down the Group’s latest set of ambitions for 2030. In the context of growing environmental and social challenges, L’Oréal is accelerating its transformation towards a model respecting planetary boundaries and reinforcing its commitments to both sustainability and inclusion:

Transforming L’Oréal’s business to respect “planetary boundaries”

“Planetary boundaries” are limits, which, if crossed, will compromise the Earth’s capacity as a habitat for human development. Respecting a safe operating space for humanity must be a priority in the decades to come, as scientists unanimously agree (1), which is why L’Oréal aims to transition to a way of operating its entire business within the limits of the planet.

Therefore, the Group has defined new quantifiable targets for 2030, to fight climate change as supported by the “Science Based Targets” initiative (2), but is also going one-step further by addressing three other major environmental issues: preservation of biodiversity, sustainable water management and circular use of resources. To ensure its business is respectful of a resource-limited planet, and fair for the communities it works with, L’Oréal will not only continue to reduce its direct environmental impacts, but also reduce the impacts of its entire activity including those of its suppliers and consumers.

A concrete example of what L’Oréal wants to achieve: by 2025, all of the Group’s manufacturing, administrative and research sites will reach carbon neutrality by improving energy efficiency and using 100% renewable energy. Through this commitment, L’Oréal wishes to contribute to the energy transition in countries where it operates.

Empowering L’Oréal’s consumers for sustainable consumption choices

L’Oréal considers that embarking its business ecosystem (clients, suppliers and consumers) is part of its responsibility.

To help its 1.5 billion consumers make more sustainable choices, L’Oréal has developed a Product Environmental & Social Impact Labelling mechanism. The labelling will include a score on a scale from A to E, with an “A” product considered as “best in class” in terms of environmental impacts. The method was endorsed by independent scientific experts and data have been verified by Bureau Veritas Certification, an independent auditor. The labels and scores will be accessible on products’ web pages. The first brand to implement the new methodology as of 2020 is Garnier for its hair care products, third beauty brand worldwide and leader of the market in France. This labelling will progressively be extended to other countries, L’Oréal’s brands and product categories.

Contributing to solving the world’s challenges by supporting urgent social and environmental needs, through an unprecedented plan launched in May 2020:

L’Oréal announced in May 2020 that it will allocate €150 million to address urgent social and environmental issues:

• L’Oréal is engaging €100 million into impact investing, in order to act upon key environmental challenges. €50 million will be used to finance damaged natural marine and forest ecosystems restoration projects through a fund called the L’Oréal Fund for Nature Regeneration, to be operated by Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, dedicated to impact investing.1 Another €50 million will be directed to financing projects linked to the circular economy.
• To help vulnerable women, L’Oréal is also creating a €50 million charitable endowment fund. It will support field organizations and local charities in their efforts to fight poverty, help women achieve social and professional integration, provide emergency assistance to refugee and disabled women, prevent violence against women, and support victims.

(1) The concept of “planetary boundaries” was defined in 2009 by a group of Earth system and environmental scientists, led by the Stockholm Resilience Centre and the Australian National University.
(2) The “Science Based Targets initiative” is a partnership between CDP, UN Global Compact, WRI and WWF. It seeks to encourage businesses to commit to a voluntary transition towards a low carbon economy, in line with the +1.5°C trajectory recommended by international climate experts.
(3) The “L’Oréal Fund for Nature Regeneration” will be an “Other Alternative Investment Fund” within the meaning of article L. 214-24 III of the French Monetary and Financial Code and will be established in the form of a simplified joint-stock company with variable capital. The “L’Oréal Fund for Nature Regeneration” will be exclusively dedicated to L’Oréal and its affiliates and will not be marketed to third-parties nor subscribed by third parties. Further, this document does not constitute an “offer of securities to the public” within the meaning of EU Regulation 2017/1129 (“Prospectus Regulation”).

77% of the National Hair and Beauty Federation members say they feel “very prepared/prepared” to reopen now. Here’s one of many examples of how UK salon and L’Oréal partner, Gatsby & Miller, have been busy getting organised and making modifications for a safe reopening after lockdown that accounts for every step of the client in-salon journey.

Gatsby & Miller: The NEW 7 Steps of the Client In-salon Journey

1. Arriving at the salon
   Gatsby & Miller will be optimising a digital screen in their window to display important messaging for clients so they know what to expect before they enter the salon, with reminders about social distancing and new hygiene measures for client safety.
2. Check-in & reception
   Gatsby & Miller has installed a protective screen at the reception desk and will avoid congestion by ensuring a streamlined appointment flow and ask clients to move in one direction around the salon. One dedicated stylist will welcome clients and they will remain with this one stylist throughout the salon visit to help limit risk. Signage will be used to explain how the new client journey will run before the appointment begins. Stylists will be wearing personal protective equipment (masks and gloves) and will encourage clients to also wear a protective mask throughout the appointment. However, the salon will adapt rules in accordance with government guidelines. . Client PPE packs will also be given as well as disposable items being as eco-conscious as possible.
3. Consultation
   Stylists will conduct short consultations in-salon or virtually prior to appointments to reduce the amount of time that clients will spend in the salon. Gatsby & Miller have been offering virtual consultations throughout lockdown very successfully.
4. Backwash
   Gatsby & Miller has installed protective screens at the backwash and will be observing social distancing by blocking off some backwash stations, and each backwash station will be cleaned and disinfected after each appointment.
5. Client Services
   Gatsby & Miller has a large spacious salon, which they have mapped and adapted to ensure that all clients and stylists will observe social distancing. If needed, the salon will also use protective screens between styling stations.
6. Retail
   Gatsby & Miller has removed all product testers. The salon will use signage in retail areas and around the salon asking clients not to touch products. If a client wishes to purchase a product, they will let their stylist know, who will wipe products down before placing in a bag for the client to take home at the end of the appointment.
7. Check-out
   Gatsby & Miller will be accepting contactless card payments and no cash. Contactless payments will be taken at styling stations and at the reception desk to help streamline appointments. The salon are also looking into online pre-paid appointments. The salon will rebook appointments at the styling station before clients leave. All touchpoints of each client appointment and all tools used will be cleaned and disinfected after each appointment.

Dawn Montgomery, Gatsby & Miller, Salon Manager

“We have been working on reorganising and modifying the salon for a number of weeks and we feel confident to reopen safely anytime from now. We have been taking note from salons reopening in Europe as inspiration, alongside helpful recommendations from our partners, L’Oréal and their Back to Business Salon Support Guide.

“We have sourced and secured the personal protective equipment that we may require for our team, whilst we await any official government guidance. The safety and wellbeing of our clients and team is our number one priority and throughout lockdown, we have increased communication with both parties to ensure everyone feels ready, confident and prepared for what to expect from the new in-salon journey.

“We are ready to open now and once we have the date, we will be booking a team-training day before commencing client appointments to walk the team through every new protocol that we are implementing. We will also be investing in a Risk Assessment expert to check the new modified salon environment and protocols so that we can be extra confident.

“We know that both the team and the clients are looking forward to going back into the salon; with the level of weekly communication, they know how thoroughly we and other hair salons are planning a safe reopening that caters for the highest standards of health and safety, whilst still delivering an enjoyable and relaxing experience.”

Beatrice Dautzenberg, Managing Director of the L’Oréal Professional Products Division,

“This crisis has been a challenging period for everyone and we have been providing as much support as we can for our salon partners to prepare to safely re-open. In fact, we have designed an E-learning to help train all hairdressers and salons on hygiene and safety, available on our L’Oréal Access online education platform in the coming days.

“The past few months have provided us with even greater awareness of the importance of our hairdressers (over 250, 000 in the UK) who are the beating heart of the community – and the demand from consumers for hair salons reopening is high. Hairdressing is the single largest contributor to the British Beauty Economy valued at GDP c. £6 billion, and salons play an integral part in communities and boost consumer wellbeing. As a committed partner to the industry, L’Oréal is proud to help our network of salons to re-open safely and to support the wellbeing of our employees, salon partners and consumers.”

London, 16 April 2020 – In ongoing support of the fight against coronavirus, L’Oréal UK and Ireland is implementing a series of measures for communities most impacted by the crisis. The group and its family of brands will donate more than half a million hygiene products and hand sanitisers to frontline healthcare workers in UK and Ireland serving the most vulnerable people and striving to curb the pandemic.

The group will donate a further 300,000 hand sanitisers to frontline retail staff that is ensuring availability of essential goods and services to communities across UK and Ireland. These products will be provided completely free of charge. This commitment builds on the L’Oréal Group’s wider European solidarity programme announced globally on 18 March.

Together, L’Oréal UK & Ireland will:

• Donate 400,000 hygiene & care products to frontline healthcare workers: in partnership with In Kind Direct and Blue Light Card, we will provide 400,000 body wash, hand creams, conditioner, shampoo and skincare products to hospital workers in the UK and Ireland. This includes products from L’Oréal Paris, Garnier, Kiehl’s, Lancôme, Urban Decay, YSL, House 99, L’Oréal Paris Men Expert, La Roche-Posay, CeraVe, Vichy, Roger and Gallet, Baxter of California, Kerastase, Redken, Matrix and Decleor;
• Donate 100,000 Hand Sanitisers to support NHS and HSE: we will distribute 100,000 La Roche Posay-manufactured hand sanitisers to frontline healthcare workers in the NHS and HSE;
• Donate 10,000 Examination Gloves to the London Ambulance Service: we will donate 10,000 boxed sterile examination gloves to the London Ambulance Service through the L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre at the Royal Institute;
• Support small businesses: L’Oréal UK and Ireland has frozen the payments of our most vulnerable very small and small-sized customers in our distribution network, including hair salons, until their businesses resume. Additionally, L’Oréal UK and Ireland has shortened its payment times for small suppliers who have been most exposed to this economic crisis;
• Protect pharmacy and food distribution workers: Garnier will give 300,000 free bottles of the new Garnier Pure Active Hand Sanitiser Gel to essential retail staff working at Boots, Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s and Irish retailer Dunnes Stores, helping to protect themselves from COVID-19;

Vismay Sharma, L’Oréal UK and Ireland Country Managing Director, commented:

“At L’Oréal UK & Ireland we feel a strong sense of responsibility to support relief efforts for the most vulnerable during this unprecedented crisis. The frontline healthcare workers and retail staff are doing an incredible job looking after the sick and providing essential products and services to communities. We feel honoured to be able to provide them with hand sanitisers and key hygiene products. We believe in the beauty of community and are proud to contribute to the needs of our heroic NHS and HSE staff, and those on the retail frontlines across the UK & Ireland.”