By 2030, Target aims to be a market leader by championing inclusive, sustainable brands and delivering exceptional experiences, understanding the crucial role of target partners in achieving these ambitious goals.
Initial Milestone: Sustainable Sourcing by 2030
Target’s first major milestone is ambitious yet vital: ensuring that 100% of the primary raw materials used in owned brand products are either recycled, regenerative, or sustainably sourced by 2030. This commitment extends to key resources like forest products and cotton, reflecting a deep understanding of responsible resource management and the importance of collaborative efforts with Target Partners throughout the supply chain.
Foundations Built: Sustainability Standards and Chemical Policies
Significant groundwork has already been laid. Target is committed to having 100% of its owned brands, including limited-edition lines and brand partnerships, adhere to established sustainability standards by 2025. Furthermore, brands like Everspring, Universal Thread, Spritz, and Cat & Jack are already implementing Target’s stringent Chemicals Policy and Forest Products Policy. This proactive approach demonstrates Target’s dedication and sets a strong precedent for target partners to align with.
Advancing Gender Equity with Supplier Partners
By 2025, Target is also committed to ensuring that 100% of owned brand suppliers have implemented policies and programs that actively promote gender equity. These crucial initiatives focus on:
- Fair hiring and promotion systems.
- Financial security for all workers.
- Confidential reporting mechanisms for incidents.
- Access to health information and services tailored to women’s needs.
Foundations Built: Ethical Supply Chain and Worker Well-being
Target has been actively building foundations to support these gender equity goals. This includes continuous investment in CARE’s Dignified Work Initiative and becoming a member of the Better Than Cash Alliance in 2022. This membership underscores Target’s commitment to digital payments for all owned brand supplier workers by 2025, enhancing financial security and transparency within its supply chain and reinforcing the importance of responsible target partners. The launch of Just and Equitable Supply Chain (JESC) requirements in 2022 and the development of supporting tools in 2023 further demonstrate Target’s proactive approach to building a responsible global supply network.
Circular Design for a Waste-Free Future by 2040
Looking further ahead, Target aims for 100% of owned brand products to be designed for a circular future by 2040. This long-term vision involves a fundamental shift towards eliminating waste through regenerative, recycled, or sustainably sourced materials. The focus is on creating products that are not only durable but also easily repairable or recyclable, fostering a truly circular economy with the collaboration of key target partners.
Initial Milestone: Circular Brands by 2025
A significant initial step towards this circular economy goal is Target’s commitment to offering two fully circular owned brands by 2025, showcasing tangible progress and innovation in sustainable product design.
Foundations Built: Expertise in Circularity
Target has identified Universal Thread and Everspring as the pioneering owned brands to embrace circular design principles by 2025. Since 2018, over 3,000 Target team members and 1,000 vendor employees have been trained in circular design methodologies. The launch of Target’s Circular Design Guide and the development of a Circular Design Calculator further empower teams and target partners to integrate circularity into product development decisions.
Reducing Virgin Plastic in Packaging by 2025
Addressing plastic waste directly, Target is committed to reducing annual virgin plastic use in owned brand packaging by 20% from a 2020 baseline by 2025. This reduction is a critical step in minimizing environmental impact and promoting more sustainable packaging solutions, often developed in close collaboration with packaging target partners.
Initial Milestone: Recyclable Packaging by 2025
By 2025, Target aims to achieve another crucial packaging milestone: ensuring 100% of owned brand plastic packaging is recyclable, compostable, or reusable. This commitment necessitates innovation and collaboration across the packaging supply chain, highlighting the role of forward-thinking target partners.
Foundations Built: Collaborative Initiatives for Plastic Reduction
Target is an active participant in collaborative initiatives like the U.S. Plastics Pact and the Global Commitment led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The launch of Target Zero, a curated collection of products designed for refillability, reusability, compostability, or made with recycled content, showcases tangible progress and provides consumers with sustainable choices, further encouraging target partners to innovate in this space.
Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2040
Target’s most ambitious environmental goal is achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire enterprise (scopes 1, 2, and 3) by 2040. This commitment requires a comprehensive strategy encompassing energy sourcing, supply chain management, and operational efficiency, demanding close alignment and collaboration with target partners at every level. Key interim targets include:
- By 2023: 80% of Target’s suppliers by spend setting science-based scope 1 and 2 targets.
- By 2025: Engaging suppliers to prioritize renewable energy and nature-protective solutions.
- By 2025: Sourcing 60% of electricity from renewable sources for operations.
- By 2030: Sourcing 100% renewable electricity for operations.
- By 2030: 55% absolute reduction in operations emissions (scopes 1 and 2) from 2017 levels.
- By 2030: 32.5% absolute reduction in supply chain emissions (scope 3) from 2017 levels.
Foundations Built: Science-Based Targets and Renewable Energy Progress
Target has already set and updated science-based targets for emissions reductions, aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard and the Paris Agreement. Notably, Target surpassed its interim goal by achieving 60% renewable electricity sourcing for operations in 2022, three years ahead of schedule. Significant progress has also been made in engaging suppliers, with 71% of spend covered by suppliers setting science-based targets. The retrofit of a net-zero energy store in 2022, now producing over 100% of its energy needs, demonstrates Target’s innovative approach and leadership, inspiring target partners to accelerate their own sustainability journeys.
Zero Waste to Landfill in U.S. Operations by 2030
Target is also committed to achieving zero waste to landfill in its U.S. operations by 2030, focusing on efficient resource management and waste diversion strategies in partnership with waste management and recycling target partners.
Foundations Built: Waste Diversion and Certification
In FY2023, Target diverted 85% of operational waste and 60% of construction waste from landfills. The Hawaii Flow Center achieved TRUE Zero Waste certification in 2022, marking a significant milestone. Furthermore, Target achieved its goal of reducing operational food waste by 50% by 2025, demonstrating effective waste reduction strategies and setting a benchmark for operational excellence for target partners.
Driving Equitable Opportunities and Community Engagement
Beyond environmental sustainability, Target is dedicated to driving equitable opportunities and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This commitment extends to community engagement, recognizing the vital role of communities as key target partners in building a more just and equitable society.
Foundations Built: REACH Committee and Community Impact
The establishment of the Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) committee and the launch of new three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion goals underscore Target’s commitment. In 2023, U.S. team members volunteered 1 million hours, demonstrating industry-leading community impact and a strong connection with local target partners. Target also focuses on benefit access and affordability to enhance team member well-being, recognizing the importance of a thriving workforce in achieving broader sustainability goals.
Empowering Communities and Elevating Voices
Target is committed to engaging and elevating community voices to co-create and implement community-driven solutions by 2030, reinforcing the concept of communities as essential target partners.
Initial Milestone: Evolving Philanthropic Practices by 2025
By 2025, Target and the Target Foundation plan to evolve philanthropic practices and place-based solutions to actively involve communities in the process, ensuring that initiatives are truly community-led and impactful, acknowledging communities as crucial target partners.
Foundations Built: Community Investment and Partnerships
Target team members have consistently demonstrated their commitment to local communities, volunteering over 1 million hours and contributing millions to charitable causes in 2023. A significant $100 million investment through 2025 is fueling economic prosperity in Black communities, supporting local organizations and initiatives like the PENSOLE Lewis College of Business and Design. The Target Scholars Program further exemplifies Target’s commitment to investing in future leaders and building strong relationships with educational target partners.
Target will continue to refine and expand these milestones, working towards a more equitable and regenerative future for all. Progress updates will be regularly shared in the annual sustainability and governance reporting, demonstrating transparency and accountability to stakeholders and target partners alike.
