This Tuesday, the Chairman and CEO of Inditex, Pablo Isla, held an institutional meeting in Beijing with the People's Republic of China Ministry for Environmental Protection (MEP) minister, Chen Ji Ning, where he highlighted his commitment to the market and presented the Sustainability Plan that the Group is implementing all over the world. Specifically, he explained the implementation of the eco-efficient store model and informed the minister that this will be fully implemented in China by 2018 making it the first Country in the world to reach this target, two years before the final implementation in the remaining markets.

At the meeting, Isla and Minister Chen reviewed the various markets where Inditex has implemented sustainability projects around the world, as well as projects that hold a direct relationship to sustainability in China. Isla spoke about the environmental policy of the Group, which seeks the best resources for the entire life cycle of the products, from the use and treatment of the raw materials to the recycling and final reuse of the garments.

With respect to raw materials, Isla highlighted the importance of investing in Organic Cotton Farms in China and explained the importance of the right sourcing actions undertaken in the supply chain. He spoke of the company's renewable energy policy in the logistics platforms and warehouses, and placed strong emphasis on the importance of implementing eco-efficient stores all around the world and specifically in China.

In this sense, he stated that this eco-efficient store model can achieve a 30% reduction in energy emissions and 50% reduction in water use compared to a conventional store. By 2018 all stores in China, both new and existing, will be eco-efficient, following the commitment stated by Isla in Beijing.

Finally, the Chairman of Inditex presented the Recycle2 Project, which is aimed towards collecting and recycling products at the end of the garment's life cycle, and mentioned his personal commitment to sharing with China both this experience and the work developed in relation to environmental protection.

Inditex has a significant presence in China, where there are currently about 500 stores throughout 63 Chinese cities. The Group opened its first store in Shanghai in February 2006.

Community Involvement in China

In the same Beijing visit, Isla also met with He Junke, Chairman of All China Youth Federation (ACYF), an organization that represents youth groups in China, including the Young Communist League. ACYF is active in protecting and promoting the interests of youth in the country in key areas such as education, culture, voluntary work, amongst others. He Junke is also the Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Young Communist League.


Under ACYF's direction, its member group, the China Youth Development Foundation, is developing a series of social investment plans with Inditex, focusing on providing critical basic education through building village schools in rural areas.

The joint project involves reconstructing and renovating 10 rural schools, to equip students with basic facilities such as canteens for meals, classrooms, toilets and sports ground. When completed in 2016, the initiative will benefit 680 students in the rural areas of Fengshan (Guangxi province) and Heqing (Yunnan province).

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