Levi Strauss sets 90% emissions reduction target by 2025

Levi Strauss has released a bold new strategy to combat climate change across its entire business.

The iconic clothing company has set new targets, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, which could transform its global footprint.

The campaign helps corporations decarbonise in line with the goals of the Paris climate agreement to keep temperatures well below 2 degrees.

Its new sustainability targets include a 90 percent reduction its greenhouse gas emissions within its own facilities and a 40 percent reduction in its global supply chain. This represents a major increase on its current performance of 25 and 5 percent reductions on each respective side.

In addition, the company will source 100 percent of its electricity from renewables, up from its current level of 20 percent.

Investments in onsite renewables and energy efficiency upgrades are key to achieving reductions in direct emissions. On the more significant supply chain side, it intends to work with the International Finance Corporation, an offshoot of the World Bank, to provide low-cost financing to sustainable initiatives, such as water consumption and energy.

Levi Strauss operates 2,900 shops in in 110 countries. As one of the world’s most popular jeans manufacturers the new strategy could set an important trend for others in the fashion industry to follow.

“We believe that business has the opportunity and the responsibility to be a force for positive change in the world,” said Chip Bergh, president and chief executive officer. “We are proud to be one of the first companies to set science-based targets for our global supply chain, and we hope to be an inspiration for others to follow.”

“Levi Strauss & Co. has set an ambitious science-based target aligned with the Paris Agreement for its operations and value chain, which will help bring energy efficiency and renewable energy to its suppliers in developing markets,” said Cynthia Cummis, at the World Resources Institute (WRI), one of the Science Based Targets partners. “The company’s targets represent the kind of forward-thinking innovation that the fashion industry needs, and are a model for business success in a low-carbon world.”

Source: Levi-Strauss