Earth Month is not until April, but the winter season has long given rise to its fair share of climate discourse. As extreme temperatures become the norm, putting civil infrastructure to the test in the face of unanticipated weather events around the world, the annual United Nations Climate Change Conferences—better known as COP—marks the urgency of the moment. (With a few exceptions, the yearly convention has been held in November or December since 1995.)
This year’s COP landed in Dubai, where environmental, economic, and governmental leaders will meet until Dec. 12. On the occasion of the annual conference, luxury juggernaut LVMH renewed its commitment to the climate—officialized three years ago with the launch of its LIFE 360 environmental program—with a trio of initiatives.
A new agreement to fight deforestation was inked with the Foundation For Amazon Sustainability. Designer and lifelong animal rights activist Stella McCartney, who left Kering for LVMH in 2019, will receive continued support from the latter for her “Sustainable Market” project, which bolsters the creation of eco-responsible materials. Lastly, the luxury group has promised to continue its collaboration with shopping centers and real estate companies to reduce its stores’ carbon footprints.
Seven thousand miles away, in Miami’s bustling Design District where 15 of its maisons are tenants, LVMH concretized steps toward that promise this Tuesday. Amid the whirlwind of Miami Art Week, CEO Anish Melwani signed an agreement with MDD mastermind Craig Robins to take collective action against the climate crisis. Highlights of the partnership include a transition to 100 percent sustainably sourced electricity by 2025, the establishment of a comprehensive stormwater management plan, and the sourcing of a majority of materials for any new MDD LVMH stores from local industries.
In a wide-ranging conversation at the MDD’s Moore building with Florida Power & Light Company Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development Pam Rauch, and Miami Herald veteran journalist Jane Wooldridge, Robins and Melwani discussed the climate responsibility at the core of both of the MDD and LVMH’s futures, the vertical integration and unexpected benefits of sustainability measures, and the influence their agreement has already had on other groups. (Kering has also pledged that its MDD stores will abide by the partnership’s guiding principles.) An evergreen note to end the year on.
