Our Inclusive Sourcing Program: Creating Value for People and Planet

L'Oréal Groupe, a returning platinum sponsor of Climate Week NYC 2024, joined the world’s most innovative companies and sustainability leaders in taking action on climate change—one of the most pressing issues of our time. The global event, which took place September 22-29, 2024, brought together a dynamic group of businesses, government officials, climate activists, NGOs, and organizations to share solutions, exchange ideas, and advance climate action. Our participation centered around the L'Oréal For the Future program, L’Oréal Groupe’s global sustainability commitments for 2030. One key initiative of the program is the Inclusive Sourcing Program, which is making a significant social and environmental impact globally, benefiting both people and the planet. 

What is Sourcing?

Sourcing is how companies purchase the goods and services they need from outside suppliers. This often involves a bidding process, where potential suppliers compete to offer the best price and services. At L’Oréal, we source a wide range of items, from the ingredients and packaging used in our products to the specialized services that support our brands, including IT, media, and marketing.

Positive Environmental Impact

The Inclusive Sourcing Program is not about social impact alone; it aligns with L’Oréal’s broader environmental goals. By partnering with ethical and responsible suppliers, such as fair-trade producers and companies committed to eco-friendly practices, we're aiming to support businesses that prioritize sustainability. This means working with partners who are actively reducing their environmental footprint, contributing to the global push for more sustainable and resilient economies.

L’Oréal’s Inclusive Sourcing Program: Creating Opportunity

• Since its launch in 2010, L’Oréal’s Inclusive Sourcing Program has been dedicated to creating more opportunities and driving positive social change. The program targets a wide range of social issues, focusing on:
• Gender Equity: Empowering women economically by supporting suppliers that provide them with sustainable jobs.
• Disability Inclusion: Partnering with companies that create employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Diverse Businesses: Collaborating with businesses owned by a diverse range of people, including those who are minorities, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans, or with disabilities. We also prioritize working with smaller businesses who might not typically have access to large contracts.
• Economic Empowerment: Working with businesses that employ people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, such as long-term unemployed individuals or refugees.
• Intergenerational Support: Creating opportunities for people across different age groups.

Our inclusive sourcing program contributes to an ambitious goal of helping 100,000 additional people from vulnerable communities gain access to employment by 2030. 

Key Achievements

In 2023, L’Oréal supported 429 projects across 67 countries. The program provided job opportunities for 93,165 individuals from disadvantaged communities. Beyond the Inclusive Sourcing numbers, L’Oréal also has a strong Living Wage commitment, onboarding several strategic suppliers to our program each year.

A Sustainable and Inclusive Future

L’Oréal’s commitment to helping more people access employment underscores our dedication to creating a more inclusive and sustainable world. By fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion through our sourcing efforts, we are working to build a better future for both people and the planet. 

To learn more about our global sustainability commitments, click here.