Kering’s Strategy Integrates Regenerative Agriculture and Supplier Stewardship

Kering, the French luxury conglomerate, has launched the fashion industry’s first comprehensive water strategy, aiming to become “water positive” by 2050. This initiative focuses on three pillars: adopting regenerative agriculture for raw materials, establishing water resilience labs in 10 global freshwater basins—including Tuscany, India, and Mongolia—by 2035, and implementing stewardship programs to enhance water quality and efficiency among suppliers. The strategy addresses the fashion sector’s significant water footprint, which impacts both biodiversity and community well-being, and seeks to mitigate risks associated with water scarcity and pollution. Experts commend Kering’s detailed, location-specific approach and its integration with science-based environmental targets, though concerns persist about corporate involvement in local water governance and the need for industry‑wide, standardized metrics for water impact assessment. Kering’s plan not only aims to reduce reputational and operational risks in water‑stressed supply chains but also aspires to catalyze a broader shift within the fashion industry towards sustainable water management.