Levi Strauss & Co. unveils a new global water strategy

Denim giant Levi Strauss & Co. has unveiled a new water action strategy that aims to alleviate the pressure on communities facing water stress.

The company has announced that it will move from from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to saving water towards a more nuanced approach, allowing it to focus on the areas most in need of a reduction in water use. It has also set a target of cutting its cumulative water use for manufacturing in water-stressed areas by 50 percent by the year 2025, and increasing access to clean, safe drinking water for communities in its sourcing locations.

"We all know that water is perhaps the most critical resource on the planet and that many places, including countries the apparel industry sources from, are struggling with water crises," said Liz O'Neill, Executive Vice President and President of LS&Co.'s Global Product, Innovation, and Supply Chain in a statement. "This announcement is an illustration of what sustainability means to us now: innovative, responsive, scalable programs that drive impact and inspire collective action to address the most pressing social and environmental issues facing our business, industry and planet."

The company, which owns the brands Levi's, Dockers, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. and Denizen, has been focusing on water stewardship since 2011.
The conglomerate is not the only fashion brand focusing on water stewardship. In June, Gap Inc. announced the launch of a new innovation center in 2020 focused on reducing water waste within the textiles industry, in partnership with its Indian sourcing and franchise partner Arvind Limited. The duo are also investing in a new water treatment facility in Ahmedabad, India, replacing freshwater with reclaimed water in an effort to help conserve the local community's resources.