In April 2024, French luxury group Kering announced a new “Water-Positive Strategy” as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability. The company has set an ambitious goal of achieving Net Water-Positive impact across its entire value chain by 2050, with measurable and tangible improvements in key operational areas by 2035.
This initiative marks a significant expansion of Kering’s long-standing focus on climate action and biodiversity, positioning water as a central pillar of its sustainability agenda. What is particularly noteworthy is the company’s shift from simply reducing water usage to actively regenerating water systems and the ecosystems connected to them.
Marie-Claire Daveu, Kering’s Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer, stated: “The need for responsible corporate water stewardship to stay within the planetary boundaries has never been more urgent. It is crucial that water commitments evolve from a reductions-only approach to become water-positive, regenerating and replenishing water and ecosystems associated with all business activities.”
“Kering’s Water-Positive Strategy has been designed to be transformative, and we will collaborate with local stakeholders to deliver measurable water-positive outcomes to enhance social, environmental and economic resilience, and ultimately contribute to building up the availability of clean water for all.”
The strategy is rooted in the concept of the “Climate-Nature-Water Nexus,” which recognizes that climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity are deeply interconnected challenges. Rather than addressing them in isolation, this approach advocates for integrated, holistic solutions.
Under this framework, Kering has identified ten priority water basins that are closely linked to its supply chain. These regions are considered critical, and the company is focusing its efforts on improving water quality, availability, and accessibility within them. By 2035, Kering plans to establish Water Resilience Labs in each of these basins, working in close collaboration with local communities, governments, and industry stakeholders to restore freshwater ecosystems and support the development of sustainable water cycles.
The first lab is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2025 in the Arno Basin in Tuscany, Italy. This region is a major hub for the leather industry and is home to many of Kering’s tanneries, as well as suppliers serving other luxury brands.
To implement this strategy, Kering has defined the following three core pillars of action.
Water-Positive Raw Materials
To reduce the burden on natural ecosystems and water resources, Kering is promoting the use of recycled materials and innovative alternatives, while also increasing the proportion of raw materials sourced from regenerative agriculture. This approach helps to minimize water pollution at the sourcing stage and supports the restoration of healthy water cycles across entire watersheds. Furthermore, it is expected to contribute to the recovery of soil and ecosystems in agricultural regions.
Water-Positive Stewardship Program
This program targets both Kering’s own operations and its broader supply chain, aiming to improve water quality and optimize water use by implementing best practices and innovative technologies. Specifically, it involves the adoption of chrome-free and low-impact tanning techniques, as well as water-efficient processing systems. By working collaboratively with suppliers, Kering addresses shared water-related challenges. The program is designed to protect local water environments in the regions where the company’s products are manufactured, while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of its business operations.
Water Resilience Labs
Kering plans to establish dedicated labs in each of the ten water basins by 2035. These labs will serve as collaborative platforms for companies, communities, governments, Indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders to jointly restore and replenish freshwater ecosystems. Grounded in the Climate-Nature-Water Nexus framework, these labs aim to drive measurable on-the-ground impact and enhance both community and environmental resilience.
These initiatives also offer valuable insights for the broader luxury industry. Ensuring the sustainability of water resources is not only fundamental to the foundation of manufacturing, but also reflects a company’s commitment to social responsibility and ethical integrity.
Kering’s comprehensive strategy is expected to serve as a pioneering model of corporate transformation centered on water, likely setting a ripple effect across other luxury brands in the years to come.
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