Luxury group Kering claims to have become the first company globally to adopt science-based targets for land and freshwater after participating in a year-long pilot with the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN). By Leatherbiz.

Encompassing the group’s direct operations, including Kering-owned tanneries and factories and upstream suppliers, its first freshwater quantity target initially focuses on the Arno basin in Tuscany, where most of the group’s tanneries and supplier tanneries are located.

For the SBTN pilot, Kering used its in-house environmental impact assessment tool, the Environmental Profit and Loss account (EP&L), to assess upstream pressures on nature, added to water scarcity and water use pressure and biodiversity data from outside sources.

The group has now set a target to reduce water use in the Arno basin by 21% by 2030. This target applies to both the group’s direct operations and its suppliers.

Kering is preparing to set similar targets for other material basins, as part of its water strategy, which will be unveiled in the coming months.

The group has also said SBTN has provided an opportunity to strengthen Kering’s existing deforestation- and conversion-free commitments, notably to include more detailed land use change assessments associated with the group’s sourcing of leather. It will also focus on promoting regenerative practices and enhancing biodiversity in sourcing regions, including Olive Leaf’s Grass project, focused on sheep wool and leather in South Africa.

The group said: “The substantial work Kering dedicated to the pilot enhances the group’s Biodiversity Strategy and enables the setting of ambitious, science-based targets. SBTN’s focus on localised impacts and targets has encouraged Kering to think more about place-based measures and strategies, which will now feature more prominently in its strategies going forward.”

Kering owns Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, Qeelin, Ginori 1735 as well as Kering Eyewear and Kering Beauté. In 2023, Kering had over 49,000 employees and revenue of €19.6 billion.