The Deforestation-Free Call to Action for Leather
The Deforestation-Free Call to Action for Leather asks brands to commit to sourcing their bovine leather from deforestation/conversion-free supply chains by 2030 or earlier, in line with our Climate+ strategy. Co-led by Textile Exchange and the Leather Working Group (LWG), it sets meaningful expectations for brands and develops tools and guidance to support them on this journey.
PURPOSE
Cattle rearing is considered one of the most significant drivers of the deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems.
It’s also a major driver of the conversion of natural ecosystems such as grasslands and savannahs. The private sector has an important role to play, both individually and collectively, to transform their supply chains by engaging with their suppliers to cascade down requirements that help to stop the deforestation and conversion of these natural ecosystems.

CHALLENGES
Leather brands and retailers are facing increasing pressure, but don’t know where to start.
Leather brands and retailers are facing increasing pressure from special interest groups, non-profit organizations, investors, media, and now from legislation, to ensure that the leather products and materials they are sourcing are deforestation and conversion-free. In parallel, brands are finding it challenging to engage with their suppliers and map their supply chains far enough to identify their raw material sources, let alone to take action.

GOAL
We’re aiming to drive collective action to stop deforestation in leather supply chains.
The goal of the Deforestation-Free Call to Action for Leather is to galvanize action towards ending the deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems from leather supply chains, protecting wildlife habitat and biodiversity as well as preserving carbon stocks to mitigate climate change. Participating brands also commit to respecting human rights across the entire bovine leather supply chain, including recognizing and protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities. We understand that cattle farming practices cannot be transformed overnight, so working together in partnership with suppliers will be critical for driving change on the ground and for delivering the outcomes of the Deforestation-Free Call to Action for Leather.
IMPACTS
The impacts we want to have

HOW IT WORKS
What is expected of participating brands?

LEARN MORE
Get in touch with our team to learn more and sign up.
Brands can get in touch with our team directly to learn more about the Deforestation-Free Call to Action for Leather and request the introductory toolkit. You can also download the Call-to-Action overview to learn more about the expected commitments.