Levi Strauss & Co. announced this commitment as part of its newly released 2030 Water Strategy – Beyond the Blue, a plan designed to address water usage, quality, and resilience throughout its supply chain and the communities in which it operates.
The strategy forms a component of Levi Strauss’ wider Climate Transition Plan and marks an expansion of existing water goals that are set to conclude at the end of this year.
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Levi Strauss & Co. president and CEO Michelle Gass said: “We know climate change is the existential challenge of our time—and water is where many of its impacts are felt most acutely. Our 2030 Water Strategy outlines how we’ll continue to lead on water stewardship, not just by reducing our own impact, but by helping build resilience in the places that need it most.”
In addition to cutting freshwater consumption, the company aims to ensure that 40% of water used in its manufacturing processes is recycled or reused by 2030.
Levi Strauss will also publish an open-source industry guide focused on water recycling and reuse, intended to support both its own operations and those of others in the apparel sector.
The new targets build upon previous efforts within the company’s supply chain to manage water resources and reflect a continued response to global concerns about water scarcity.
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By GlobalDataThe brand will require all direct discharge supplier facilities to achieve at least the “Foundational” performance level of water pollution compliance as outlined by the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation by 2030.
Additionally, Levi Strauss & Co. has set a goal for 25% of these facilities to reach the ZDHC’s “Progressive” level. Annual reporting on progress towards these objectives will be made public, reflecting the company’s stated emphasis on transparency.
Efforts under the new strategy will centre around three main approaches. These include improving the company’s foundation by using science-based analysis to understand water impacts, reducing the overall environmental footprint through measurable targets, and building resilience among suppliers and affected communities.
Using scientific insights, Levi Strauss said it will identify where actions are most needed, particularly in areas facing high water stress, to prioritise interventions that address both manufacturing and raw material sourcing.
It plans to support suppliers with training programmes and tools aimed at bolstering their capacity to manage water-related risks.
Beyond manufacturing operations, the company will initiate watershed restoration projects in high-water stress regions such as Pakistan’s Sutlej and Indus basins and Bangladesh’s Meghna basin.
Expansion of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programmes will include continued participation in WaterAid’s Women + Water Collaborative in India. This project aims to provide clean water access to 150,000 people over two years.
The updated strategy integrates the company’s water goals with its broader work on climate action and nature stewardship.
The company stated that these objectives are aligned with international frameworks such as the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).
Levi Strauss’ chief sustainability officer Jeffrey Hogue said: “This strategy is about more than water savings—it’s about resilience and supporting business continuity for the long-term. We’re working to ensure that our supply chain and the people within it are equipped to adapt to some of the most acute impacts of climate change.”
In September this year, Levi Strauss & Co. unveiled its LS&Co. Energy Accelerator Program (LEAP) to help more suppliers in India get access to renewable energy.
