Clarks qZERO®
Sustainability Score
United Kingdom Born in the heart of Somerset in 1825, Clarks has walked a unique path that blends heritage craftsmanship with a spirit of innovation. For nearly two centuries, the brand has been shaping how the world moves, creating shoes that reflect care, comfort and timeless style. Each pair tells a story of deep-rooted values, where tradition meets thoughtful design and modern technology.
Today, Clarks is committed to honouring the planet and its people. Through responsible sourcing, considered material choices and ongoing community initiatives, Clarks champions a future where every step leaves a lighter mark. Their "Made to Last" promise reflects a genuine effort to create longer-lasting products while nurturing positive change within the footwear industry. From the cobbled streets of Somerset to cities across the globe, Clarks continues to walk the talk — crafting quality with purpose and a vision for a more responsible tomorrow.
This means Clarks are above average compared to other companies in the Apparel, Accessories & Footwear.
Clarks positioning within the Apparel, Accessories & Footwear
The Apparel, Accessories and Footwear industry faces important challenges on the path to becoming more responsible. Key issues include the environmental footprint of material sourcing and production, social concerns around working conditions and workers' rights, and the need for greater transparency and ethical practices in business operations. These challenges highlight the importance of brands stepping up with genuine, lasting solutions.
Environmental: Clarks is on a journey towards lowering its environmental footprint, but there is room for further progress compared to some industry leaders. Ongoing efforts to improve material choices and production practices reflect a positive direction.
Social: Clarks demonstrates a meaningful commitment to social responsibility, with fair labour and community initiatives in place. However, there is an opportunity to strengthen practices even further to meet the highest industry benchmarks.
Governance: Clarks’ governance practices align with industry norms, focusing on ethical conduct and transparency. Continued improvements could enhance trust and leadership within the global sustainability movement.
Clarks brings expertly crafted footwear to life for women, men, and children worldwide. From iconic silhouettes like the Desert Boot and Wallabee to contemporary sneakers, sandals, loafers, and accessories, Clarks designs combine everyday comfort with timeless appeal. Each collection blends craftsmanship, quality materials, and innovative design, offering versatile styles that move easily from work to weekend.
Clarks believes that sustainability should be accessible, not exclusive. By designing products with longevity in mind, selecting more responsible materials, and optimising production methods, Clarks reduces waste and extends the life of each shoe. Their approach allows customers to invest in well-made, enduring footwear at fair prices, creating a balance where style, durability and responsible choices can go hand in hand without compromise.
Clarks weaves responsibility into every step of its journey. The brand strongly emphasises fair labour practices, ensuring the well-being of workers and uplifting the communities it touches. Through product lifecycle assessments, Clarks takes a thoughtful approach to resource use, aiming to reduce waste and extend the life of every product. The company’s commitment to responsible sourcing helps to minimise environmental impact, selecting materials that tread more lightly on the planet. With a transparent supply chain and open stakeholder engagement, Clarks supports ethical governance and better decision-making, laying the foundations for a future that cares for both people and the Earth.
Clarks embraces a thoughtful approach to environmental stewardship, with strengths in some areas and opportunities for growth in others. The brand has taken meaningful steps to anticipate and manage climate-related risks, demonstrating an awareness of the changing world around us. However, reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains an important area for further action. By deepening its emissions reduction and resource management efforts, Clarks has the potential to make an even greater positive impact. Strengthening these practices would help the brand move closer to global sustainability goals and create a lighter footprint for future generations.
Creating a welcoming and respectful environment is part of who they are at Clarks. The brand places great importance on ensuring that everyone, from employees to partners, feels valued, supported, and heard. Clarks is proud to encourage a culture of embracing different backgrounds, experiences and ideas. At the same time, there is an opportunity to build even stronger connections across their supplier network. By deepening collaboration and shared values with suppliers, Clarks can continue to strengthen responsible practices across the entire journey of their products. Their social commitment reflects a thoughtful and growing dedication to positive change, from the inside out.
Clarks demonstrates a strong commitment to transparency and ethical business conduct. The brand has made notable progress in building open, responsible practices, ensuring corporate compliance remains a clear priority. Their adherence to regulatory standards reflects a meaningful focus on operating with integrity. However, there is an opportunity to strengthen strategies that support long-term resilience and sustainability, helping to secure the brand’s future in a changing world. While there is still room to grow, Clarks’ emphasis on transparency and compliance lays a solid foundation for building even stronger governance in the coming years.
Clarks’ unique strength lies in its fusion of craftsmanship, comfort and conscious innovation. Every design is shaped by nearly 200 years of shoemaking expertise, ensuring superior fit and enduring quality. What sets Clarks apart is their clear focus on creating "Made to Last" shoes — made thoughtfully, with an eye on reducing environmental impact. Through timeless design, responsible sourcing, and a commitment to prolonging product life, Clarks offers consumers more than style — they provide a meaningful choice that supports everyday comfort and a more responsible future.
Clarks stands at an exciting crossroads in its sustainability journey. Rooted in craftsmanship and care, the brand is sincerely committed to building a more responsible future, even as it continues to strengthen its impact. Environmental initiatives, social responsibility efforts, and a foundation of transparent governance position Clarks as a brand evolving with purpose. While challenges remain, particularly in lowering emissions and strengthening resilience, the brand’s openness and actions offer encouraging signs for conscious shoppers seeking authenticity over empty promises.
Choosing better takes one thoughtful step at a time — and with Clarks, every step you take can help shape a future where style and responsibility walk side by side.
At Clarks, every step matters — and so does every choice. Their commitment to doing better for the planet and its people is reflected in their careful selection of practices and partnerships. To help you make informed choices, we’ve gathered the most up-to-date certifications on sustainability and responsibility by Clarks Limited. Explore each certification below to understand how Clarks brings their sustainability promises to life.
Clarks sources leather from tanneries that are certified by the Leather Working Group, an organisation that promotes responsible environmental practices across the leather supply chain. This certification focuses on water, energy, chemical management and waste reduction within leather production.
Clarks maintains strict compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act. Their Modern Slavery Policy ensures that steps are taken to prevent forced labour, child labour and human trafficking within their supply chains.
Clarks has developed a Restricted Substances Policy to ensure that all products meet or exceed international safety and environmental regulations, helping to limit harmful chemical use in manufacturing and safeguard consumer and environmental health.
Clarks follows a dedicated Animal Welfare Policy, promoting responsible sourcing of animal-derived materials and ensuring that animal welfare standards are respected across their supply chain.
Beyond animal welfare, Clarks commits to sourcing animal-derived materials responsibly, aligning with best practices that consider environmental stewardship and ethical treatment at every stage of sourcing.
Clarks requires all suppliers to comply with their Supplier Code of Practice, covering fair working conditions, human rights, environmental standards, and ethical business practices across the global supply network.
As Clarks continues to evolve its sustainability journey, certifications and initiatives may be updated or expanded. To stay informed about the latest developments, we warmly encourage you to visit Clarks' Sustainability Policy page for the most current information.
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