L’Oréal Middle East has reinforced its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices during the second edition of the L’Oréal For the Future Summit, held recently in Dubai. This summit showcased the company’s ongoing transformation towards an inclusive business growth model that respects environmental limits and empowers communities.
As part of its sustainability strategy, L’Oréal announced a strategic partnership with Sephora, focusing on four key areas to drive progress by 2027. The collaboration will emphasize reliable consumption, eco-designed point-of-sale (POS) materials, women’s empowerment, and upskilling in sustainability.
The initiative aims to promote the availability of refillable and reusable products from L’Oréal’s luxury brands across the Middle East. To foster customer adoption, the two companies plan to launch digital media campaigns and increase in-store visibility. Furthermore, L’Oréal intends to switch to 75% eco-designed POS materials in Sephora stores, adhering to its 3R strategy: Respect, Reduce, and Replace.
Additionally, the partnership will empower local women through L’Oréal’s Beauty for a Better Life program, aiming to train and prepare 100 underprivileged women for employment in the beauty sector in collaboration with a local NGO.
Laurent Duffier, Managing Director of L’Oréal Middle East, emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful change in the beauty industry. “The L’Oréal For the Future Summit celebrates our sustainability progress while reminding us of the many goals still ahead. It is through collective efforts that we can bring about impactful change,” he stated.
The summit also featured keynote speaker H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council, who highlighted the vital role of the private sector in addressing environmental challenges. “By uniting our efforts, we can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and significantly reduce global emissions,” he said.
As part of the event, Climate Fresk, a nonprofit organization dedicated to climate awareness, hosted workshops and activities that promoted green initiatives and sustainability discussions.
L’Oréal has already made significant strides in sustainability across the Middle East. Garnier launched Saudi Arabia’s first recycling program, successfully recycling 340 tons of waste while promoting refillable products. Additionally, partnerships with Mohebi and Aramex have led to reduced CO2 emissions through electric vehicle usage and optimized transportation routes.
The company’s commitment to women’s empowerment is evident, having impacted over 25,000 women in the region through various initiatives. The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has provided substantial support to female researchers in the GCC, while campaigns aimed at combatting street harassment have trained thousands.
Moreover, the L’Oréal Fund for Women pledged AED 1.24 million to Shamsaha in Bahrain to support women’s rights, and the NxL training program has enhanced the employability of nearly 4,900 graduates since its inception in 2022.
As L’Oréal Middle East continues its journey towards a sustainable future, the company remains dedicated to not only reshaping its operations but also fostering collective action that benefits communities and the environment alike.