Lacoste

Our “Planet” rating evaluates brands based on the environmental policies in their supply chains, from carbon emissions and wastewater to business models and product circularity. Here we rate Lacoste “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses some lower-impact materials including organic cotton, however it does not publish an aggregate breakdown of materials used.
• It’s set a science based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supply chain but there’s no evidence it is on track.
• To minimise waste, it recycles some of its textile offcuts.
• It’s set a target to increase the quantity of water recycled in its supply chain.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking actions to protect biodiversity in its supply chain.

Workers’ rights are central to our “People” rating, which assess brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labour to living wages and gender equality. Here we rate Lacoste “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Some of its final stage is located in low risk countries or certified facilities, however it does not publish an aggregate breakdown of suppliers.
• There’s no evidence it provides financial security to its suppliers, which can result in poor working conditions and wages.
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO principles.
• It has an external grievance mechanism for workers in its supply chain to anonymously report concerns like harassment and unpaid wages.
• There’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages in its supply chain.
• During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, it did not disclose adequate policies or safeguards to protect workers in its supply chain from the virus.

Brands’ animal welfare policies and, where applicable, how well they trace their animal-derived products are the focus of our “Animals” rating. Here we rate Lacoste “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It appears to use leather, wool, cashmere, alpaca, and down.
• Some of its animal-derived materials consist of recycled or certified alternatives to conventional cashmere, wool, alpaca, and down.
• It doesn’t appear to use fur, angora, exotic animal skin, shearling or mohair.
• It states that it sources wool from non-mulesed sheep.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate Lacoste “Not Good Enough” overall.