LVMH Group - LVMH Companies and Brands - Sustainable Development & LVMH Environment charter

he relationship between LVMH and environmental protection is a long-standing one, both natural and sustainable. As in any human activity, we use the air, water and land around us. These are universal assets, but they are not unlimited. They form a capital that we are borrowing from future generations. For individuals and for businesses, this commitment implies certain duties. Protection, prudence, care are the principles that must be applied if we are to reconcile economic development with the overall well-being of humanity.

For LVMH, an environmentally sound approach is closely linked to our values and our businesses. Indeed, the style of life that we strive to uphold and the humanity in each of us that we strive to enhance, are forged in the name of these very traditions. Our worldwide presence, from Rio to Kyoto, certainly makes it easier for us to appreciate the fragility of our planet, the expectations, hopes, and dangers felt by six billion men and women.

Rare essences of fragrances, grapes from the sun-drenched Cognac vineyards, precious leathers that become fine leather goods, and the fabrics woven with gestures repeated across the ages. Such traditions instill a profound respect for nature which translates into efforts to preserve beautiful landscapes, protect biodiversity and ensure consumer health, harmless production methods, and the impeccable quality of proven products.

Faced with these constant changes, rekindling dreams and pleasure does not absolve us of our responsibility, of our duty to think clearly. Indeed, the luxury industry, which is more synonymous with beauty than any other, must aim to be an example. We assume this responsibility.

First of all, we need to provide a framework for this goal. On behalf of the 56,000 LVMH employees, we have drawn up a global charter that defines environmental protection criteria and goals. As part of LVMH core management organization, an Environmental Affairs Department works every day to spread the special culture of the environmental impact assessment, coordinates actions and encourages all of our subsidiaries to adopt the "best ecological practices" at all levels of production.

In fact, environmental protection is not merely an issue of generosity or philanthropy. It is critical to our future. For companies, it is a factor of progress and competitiveness while for society it represents a tangible proof of freedom and a new way of thinking. LVMH has already met this triple challenge. Tradition cannot be separated from innovation, nor nature from creation.

Bernard Arnault