Kering reduces water usage by 19%, meets other sustainability targets

Kering, the French holding Group of labels like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Gucci, Puma, Volcom, Saint Laurent Paris, and other luxury, sport & lifestyle brands, had committed to a set of sustainability targets. Commemorating the end of target period, the Group has released heartening details of its sustainability-related initiatives. The report also outlines the rationale for the targets, the key sustainability projects and innovations implemented across the Group’s brands throughout the 2012-2016 period, as well as the ongoing challenges faced within supply chains, and the fashion industry more broadly.

Also Read – Levi, H&M high on global index of transparency of standards

For luxury bovine leather, and precious skins and furs, increased traceability has been realised 91 per cent of the target chalked out. Sourcing from EU-based production systems enabled a high quality of leather with a lower environmental footprint. For paper and packaging, the attainment of 81 per cent overall – and 85 per cent related to paper – goes on to illustrate that luxury requirements can be met with more sustainable solutions. For the efficiency targets, the focus was across the entire supply chain given that 93 per cent of impacts were realised, resulting in reduction of carbon emissions by 11 per cent, 16 per cent decreased waste and 19 per cent less water usage, which equals 44 per cent, 64 per cent and 76 per cent, respectively, of targets-achieved.

François-Henri Pinault, Chairman & CEO of Kering averred, “We will continue to enhance and expand our sustainability efforts to accelerate change in our own business and across the industry, particularly through our open-sourcing philosophy.” The statement released by the company quoted, the analysis highlighted that in order to become a more sustainable business, there was a clear need to go beyond the original targets and include a broader range of raw materials including cashmere, wool, silk and cotton. Kering will announce the next phase of its sustainability strategy, including the redefinition of its Sustainability Targets, at the end of 2016.