June 17th 2024

The French cosmetics industry is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and becoming a leader in sustainable beauty. In 2020, the FEBEA (French Federation of Beauty Companies) launched a project to decarbonize the sector by 2050, in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change. This ambitious project involves assessing the greenhouse gas emissions of the entire value chain, from raw materials to end-of-life products, and identifying the main levers to reduce them.

A life cycle analysis to measure and understand the environmental impacts

The project is based on a life cycle analysis (LCA) approach, which measures the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from extraction of resources to disposal or recycling. The LCA covers four main stages: raw materials, formulation, packaging and distribution, and use and end-of-life. The FEBEA collaborated with Quantis, a consultancy specialized in environmental data, to collect and analyze the data from more than 600 companies representing about 90% of the sector's turnover.

The results of the study, published in June 2021, show that the cosmetics sector emits about 16 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year, which represents about 0.4% of the global emissions. The study also reveals the main sources of emissions and the potential levers to reduce them. For instance, the study found that:

• Raw materials account for 51% of the emissions, mainly due to the use of organic solvents, synthetic ingredients and palm oil derivatives. The main levers to reduce these emissions are the substitution of high-impact ingredients, the use of renewable or recycled materials, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture practices.
• Formulation accounts for 7% of the emissions, mainly due to the energy consumption of the production sites. The main levers to reduce these emissions are the improvement of energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources, and the optimization of processes and yields.
• Packaging accounts for 20% of the emissions, mainly due to the use of plastic materials and the low recycling rate. The main levers to reduce these emissions are the reduction of packaging weight and volume, the use of recycled or bio-based materials, and the improvement of recyclability and collection systems.
• Distribution accounts for 13% of the emissions, mainly due to the transportation of products by road, air or sea. The main levers to reduce these emissions are the optimization of logistics, the use of low-carbon modes of transport, and the development of local production and consumption.
• Use and end-of-life account for 9% of the emissions, mainly due to the water and energy consumption during the use of products, and the waste management at the end of their life. The main levers to reduce these emissions are the reduction of water and energy consumption, the extension of product shelf life, and the promotion of reuse and recycling.

A roadmap to achieve the decarbonization objective by 2050

• Based on these findings, the FEBEA and its members have defined a roadmap to achieve the decarbonization objective by 2050, with intermediate targets for 2030 and 2040. The roadmap includes actions such as:
• Developing a common methodology and tools to measure and report the carbon footprint of products and companies, and setting up a sectoral database to monitor the progress.
• Implementing best practices and innovations to reduce the emissions at each stage of the life cycle, and sharing the knowledge and experience among the actors of the sector.
• Communicating and raising awareness among the consumers and the public authorities about the environmental challenges and the solutions proposed by the sector, and encouraging them to adopt more sustainable behaviors and policies.

The FEBEA also plans to collaborate with other stakeholders, such as suppliers, distributors, NGOs, and international organizations, to create synergies and partnerships that can support the decarbonization project. The FEBEA is convinced that this project will not only contribute to the fight against climate change, but also create value and opportunities for the French cosmetics industry, which is recognized worldwide for its excellence, innovation and diversity.

A broader commitment to social and environmental responsibility

The decarbonization project is part of a broader commitment of the French cosmetics sector to social and environmental responsibility, which also covers topics such as biodiversity, circular economy, animal welfare, and human rights. By taking action on these issues, the sector aims to meet the expectations of its customers and stakeholders, and to reinforce its reputation as a leader in sustainable beauty.