Sustainable Development Goals

Partnerships For The Goal

For 3 years we have been working together with leading organisations and private sector partners towards a greener and fairer Fashion world. We know that our potential to create meaningful change is much greater when we join forces with others and are committed to our partnerships as means to achieve sustainable development.

In November we proudly stood at the COP26 stage and collected a United Nations Global Climate Award, as winners in the Climate Neutral Now category. It was one of the highlights of the year and an incredible, global recognition of the journey we have been on so far.

Our efforts to be a responsible business have led to our B Corp certification ranking in the top 5% of B Corps in fashion the UK and Europe.

We complete a number of annual reports and benchmarks to measure and share our environmental and social impacts, namely through our partnerships with The Fashion Pact, UN Fashion Charter, CDP and Sustainable Apparel Coalition.

Our Impact Report is written in accordance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are 17 goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

Currently our efforts are focused on the areas where we believe we can have a more direct impact: Biosphere, Society and Economy.

We are excited to share our journey to a better future, please find below our transparent report for the first quarter of 2022.
Clean Water and Sanitation

Clean Water and Sanitation


  • Our factories follow our Code of Conduct, exceeding EU REACH standards to ensure that natural water source pollution and hazardous waste production and disposal are always avoided.

  • As of Q1 of 2022, our relative water consumption associated with production has decreased by 20.05% per garment as compared to Q1 of 2021.

  • Our relative water consumption is up 0.95% per garment from previous quarter. This is partially due to us continuously improving the accuracy of our calculations (you can read more here), and also fabrics used in Winter months being heavier.
    • Climate Action

    Climate Action


    Winner of the United Nations Global Climate Action Awards, in the category Climate Neutral Now!

  • We have been working incredibly hard to reduce carbon emissions for the past 2 years and our work has been recognised by the UN Global Climate Action Awards team, who have bestowed on House of Baukjen a Climate Neutral Now award! This is an incredible honour, especially as we are the very first Fashion Brand to receive it.
  • As of 2020 we are Carbon Negative across our entire supply chain by analysing, reducing, restoring and offsetting our carbon emissions through Gold Standard CER and VER offsets. Carbon Negative means that the impact goes beyond achieving net zero carbon emissions to actually create an environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
  • As of Q1 of 2022, our relative carbon emissions have decreased by 19.79% as compared to Q1 of 2021.
  • Our relative carbon emissions are up 2.29% per garment from previous quarter. This is partially due to us continuously improving the accuracy of our calculations (you can read more here), and also fabrics used in Winter months being heavier.
  • We are committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C and have signed the UN Fashion Charter Renewed Commitment, The Fashion Pact pledge and the Terra Carta Sustainable Markets Initiative launched by HRH The Prince of Wales
    • Life Below Water

    Life Below Water


  • 6.78% of our fibres used in this quarter were synthetics, of which 73.19% were recycled feedstock. Reducing overall use of synthetic fibres is essential to reduce microplastic pollution, and we are committed to eliminating conventional synthetics from our products.

  • We proudly support GuppyBag and PlanetCare to collect harmful microfibres and microplastics when washing garments during the customer use phase.

  • 70% of post-consumer plastics in the oceans come from packaging. Ours is 100% plastic free. Read more about our Packaging
    • Life on Land

    Life on Land


  • We have completed our first Biodiversity Benchmark with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to highlight key areas of impact to work on as a fashion business and protect Nature.
  • No Deforestation in our supply chain. 100% of our cellulosic fibres (viscose and lyocell) originate in responsibly managed forests and come from Canopy Green Shirt suppliers.
  • All our catalogues and paper packaging are certified by FSC or PEFC. Read more here.
  • Each tree is not equal. We only plant trees and mangroves in areas with rich biodiversity, restoring natural ecosystems. Read more here.
  • All of our leather originates in Europe and doesn't contribute to deforestation.
  • We have a comprehensive restricted substance list (RSL) including Chromium VI for our leather, and chlorobenzenes for our recycled polyester and polyamide to protect biodiversity which is essential to all life on planet Earth.
    • Gender Equality

    Gender Equality


  • We’re proud that 76% of our team is female, with women across all levels of the business including over 50% female representation on our Board and Executive Management levels.

  • We are proud to pay our employees based on their roles and regularly do a pay equity analysis. We can confirm that as of Q4 2021 the pay-gap is zero.

  • 41% of our garments in Q4 were produced in factories owned or controlled by women.
    • Affordable and Clean Energy

    Affordable and Clean Energy


  • We have always used 100% low impact renewable sources in our warehouses and offices.

  • We calculate use of energy for all scopes of our business and track the implementation of renewable energy in supplier facilities.

  • Through the Fashion Pact we’ve pledged to implement 100% renewable energy across the majority of our supply chain by 2030.

    • No Poverty


    This is a powerful commitment to leave no one behind and to reach those farthest behind first. We are active in the anti-slavery movement, our factories have signed our rigorous code of conduct and we are a Living Wages company.

    We’ve also partnered with Oxfam to donate a portion of proceeds from sale of our Pre-Loved collection to fighting Poverty

    Zero Hunger

    Zero Hunger


    We donate more than 10% of our profits to charities including ones that address hunger.

    Good Health and Well-Being

    Good Health and Well-Being


    During the COVID-19 pandemic, we donated over 30,000 reusable face masks to those who needed them the most. We find mental health very important and support charities with donations. We also care very much about the mental health of our staff and have a daily zoom call to see each other’s faces, smile and touch base. We will never force our team to go to the office in dangerous times.

    Quality Education

    Quality Education


    Although we do not directly impact this SDG, we always search for ways to help, for example by donating computers to underserved communities that need them the most and donating materials to local schools.

    Sustainable Cities and Communities

    Sustainable Cities and Communities


    This has not been a core focus for us. We aim to be a force for good in the communities we are inserted in, for example by settling our warehouse in a low-income area and paying Living Wages. We also engage with local communities when possible, try to support local businesses and support fair and sustainable development with our business.

    Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

    Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions


    We do not directly impact this SDG within our business operations. We understand the importance of this SDG, and it is in our DNA to be as inclusive, peaceful, and planet positive as possible.

    Decent Work and Economic Growth

    Decent Work and Economic Growth


  • Our facilities have signed our rigorous code of conduct and we are a Living Wages company.
  • We scored 100% in our Impact Business Model section of Governance in our record-breaking B Corp score.
  • We run our warehouse in a low-income community to promote sustainable economic growth.
    • Reduced Inequalities

    Reduced Inequalities


  • We donate at least 10% of our profits each year to charities. We continue to support charities including NHS Charities Together, GOSH, Oxfam, Strut Safe, World Land Trust, Prince’s Trust and Birth Companions through campaigns, products, and direct donations.
    Read more about this work in our Philanthropy page

  • We have started working with new factories that are women owned and run

  • We always endeavour to support underprivileged people across our supply chain.
    • Responsible Consumption and Production

    Responsible Consumption and Production


  • 98.18% of fibres used in Q1 were from responsible sources, meaning their origin is traced or they are produced with a smaller environmental footprint.
  • 7.22% of our fibres this season are recycled and GRS certified, a percentage we look to continue increasing in the coming seasons and in our journey to operate as a circular business.
  • We are a Zero Waste company, meaning that over 90% of our “waste” is neither landfilled nor incinerated. Our manufacturers in Portugal are also Zero Waste companies and send the majority of their “waste” to recycling.
  • 100% of our parcels are plastic free. Our packaging is also 100% biodegradable. Our production line follows a fully circular model. We ensure we never overproduce our garments, and we have never sent clothing to landfill or incineration.
  • We operate a take back scheme and a recycling scheme, through which we mechanically recycle old garments into new fibres (with our partner Valerius 360).
  • We are incorporating blockchain and AI technology into our supply chain and are working on innovative solutions with Supply Compass and Freedom Row to optimize our supply chain, and strengthen digital infrastructure through the use of QR technology that is consumer friendly.
    • Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure


    We do not directly impact this SDG, but we understand its importance. We are incorporating blockchain and AI technology into our supply chain and are working on innovative solutions with Supply Compass and Freedom Row to strengthen digital infrastructure.

    We are developing bespoke sustainable fabrics and supporting pioneering recycled fabric innovations.

    At House of Baukjen we are campaigning for change and striving for hope by disrupting the fast fashion model. We realise that we need to lead by example and encourage others, which is why we pride ourselves in transparency; across our fabrics, supply chain and our circular model including our re-commerce initiatives: Pre-Loved, Rental, and Care and Repair.


    We are proud of our journey so far, but we are not perfect and there is much more to be done. As we campaign, we encourage everyone to join our movement.