How the Gap is Harnessing Sustainable Sourcing & Circularity

Gap operates more than 2,500 stores across the US, UK, Canada, France, Ireland and Japan. The global apparel retailer has published its 2025 Impact Report detailing its environmental and social performance.

The report covers the company's operations and tracks progress against sustainability targets set in earlier years. Gap was founded in 1969 and published its first sustainability report in 2003.

The company had its emissions targets verified by the Science Based Targets initiative in 2024. Gap has set targets to reduce Scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 90% and Scope 3 emissions by 32.5% by 2030 from a 2017 baseline.

The retailer also plans to source 100% renewable electricity for company-operated facilities globally. Its long-term target is to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its value chain by 2050.

Emissions reduction by 2025

According to the report, Gap achieved a 70% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 emissions in 2025. The company also reported a 20% reduction in Scope 3 emissions during the same period.

Gap sourced 46% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2025. This represents progress towards its target of 100% renewable electricity for company-operated facilities.

Richard Dickson, President and CEO of Gap, says: "Since our founding, we've worked to bridge gaps and create a better world, guided by a simple belief: When purpose and profit align, companies can be a force for good, for people and the planet.

"In a remarkably dynamic year for the apparel industry, I'm proud that Gap Inc. met the moment – performing while transforming, strengthening our business and the positive impact we make every day. As one of the largest specialty apparel companies in the US, we have the scale, capabilities and platform to matter. That's why, for us, aligning purpose and profit is not only the right thing to do, it's strategic."

Water access partnerships

Gap has set a target to empower 5 million people affected by the apparel industry to improve their equitable access to clean water and sanitation. According to the company, it has reached 2.8 million people with clean water access since 2017.

In January 2026, Gap partnered with Water.org, Starbucks, Amazon and Ecolab to launch Get Blue. The initiative aims to accelerate access to safe water and sanitation by aligning business leadership and allocating resources and capital.

The mission of Get Blue is to reach families and communities in need around the world. The initiative supports Water.org's goal to reach 200 million people by 2030.

Gary White, CEO and Co-Founder of Water.org, says: "Solving the global water crisis is possible if the business community comes together and focuses on measurable change. Water sits at the centre of opportunity in the global economy.

"Get Blue gives companies a way to lead on an issue their industries depend on and to help scale solutions that are already reaching millions of people who need them. This is the kind of leadership required to end the water crisis within our lifetimes."

Circular economy measures

Gap considers the full life cycle of its clothing products throughout its development and manufacturing process. The company aims to adopt more circular business models while reducing waste from its packaging and direct operations.

According to the report, Gap maintained 100% recycled content in polybags and polymailers across its brands in 2025. The company also achieved its goal of sourcing 100% of cotton from more sustainable sources.

These sources include Better Cotton Initiative, recycled, organic, regeneratively grown and traceable US-grown cotton. At its San Francisco headquarters, approximately 7,000 pounds of e-waste were diverted from landfills.

The diverted e-waste was used to support families in need with refurbished technology. Gap also diverted more than 3,000 pounds of food from the waste stream, donating it to local charities and providing meals to the local community.