Kering launches industry-first water strategy
Kering, the French luxury group behind brands like Gucci and Balenciaga, has introduced the fashion industry’s first comprehensive water strategy. The initiative aims to reduce water consumption, improve watershed resilience, and promote responsible water use across its global supply chain. This bold move comes amid increasing scrutiny of fashion’s water footprint, particularly in dyeing and finishing stages.
The strategy rests on three pillars: regenerative raw material sourcing, water stewardship in production zones, and consumer-facing transparency. Kering plans to establish water resilience labs in ten key freshwater basins globally by 2035. These labs will facilitate collective action with local communities, suppliers, and NGOs to improve water quality and availability.
Kering is also integrating water-related metrics into its Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) accounting system to quantify and communicate water-related risks and progress. This initiative aligns with the Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN), making Kering one of the first companies to adopt nature-based accounting on water.
By becoming water-positive by 2050, Kering aims to not only reduce environmental impact but also secure long-term supply chain resilience. Experts argue that such holistic strategies are essential as climate change intensifies water scarcity, particularly in manufacturing hubs like South Asia.
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