Kering has become the first fashion company to adopt science-based targets for nature, a significant step in the effort to preserve biodiversity. The announcement, made during the UN biodiversity conference in Colombia, follows a year-long pilot with 17 global companies. Along with GSK and Holcim, Kering has committed to meeting its nature-based targets and publicly disclosing its progress. These targets (both freshwater and land), aim to address the impact of fashion on biodiversity, which has often been overshadowed by the focus on climate change. Kering's efforts are focused on critical areas such as water use and land conservation, particularly in the Arno basin in Italy, where its leather tanneries are located.
The adoption of these targets by Kering is a crucial milestone in the fashion industry’s journey toward greater environmental responsibility. The company is committed to ensuring its operations and supply chain align with these targets, encompassing a wide range of environmental factors like soil health, water pollution, and ecosystem conservation. By engaging with local communities and adhering to principles such as Free and Prior Informed Consent; a human rights principle recognizing the right of Indigenous peoples to approve or deny consenting to projects that could affect their lands or rights, Kering is setting a positive example for others in the industry. This commitment highlights the growing importance of integrating biodiversity considerations into corporate sustainability strategies.
