Textile Exchange Launches the Leather Impact Accelerator (LIA) 0.1
Lubbock, Texas | February 4, 2021 – Textile Exchange has launched version 0.1 of the Leather Impact Accelerator (LIA), and a one-year pilot phase is now underway. All LIA 0.1 documents and components are available for use by interested companies, including benchmarking industry standards, trading Impact Incentives, and making corporate commitments and claims.
LIA is a framework that combines existing industry tools and new concepts into a coherent package and enables leather supply chain members – from farmers to retailers – to contribute to a more responsible leather supply chain.
The International Working Group (IWG) for LIA voted in favor of all core documents just before the holidays, and the full program launched on January 5, 2021, as version 0.1. In 2021, all LIA components are undergoing piloting to ensure implementation runs smoothly and all aspects of the program achieve a level of impact and credibility that the industry expects. At the close of the pilot year, feedback and results will be used to refine LIA for the release of version 1.0.
“The burden of sustainability is too heavy to be supported only by producers.”
Charton Locks, COO Produzindo Certo
LIA is not a standard – instead, it is a program that uses benchmarks and protocols to set a minimum threshold for practices at the farm and leather production levels and gives recognition to those who meet or exceed them. Brands can use Impact Incentives to provide direct financial support to farmers that meet LIA benchmarks, and the LIA Claims Guideprovides support for all LIA participants to make credible claims.
There are several opportunities for companies to take part in pilot programs. For more information or to register your interest in participating in a pilot, please contact us.
Textile Exchange is also welcoming brands and retailers to make a public commitment to LIA and set targets through the LIA Corporate Commitment program. Learn more about the opportunity to lead the industry in accelerating impact here.
Learn more about LIA and all its components at TextileExchange.org/LeatherImpactAccelerator.
Watch the LIA 0.1 + Pilot Year Launch Webinar
On January 12, the LIA team hosted the webinar “Leather Impact Accelerator (LIA) 0.1 Launch + Pilot Year.” The recording and presentation slides are available for those who were not in attendance.
Responsible Leather Round Table (RLRT)
The work on LIA has been led by the International Working Group that sits under Textile Exchange’s Responsible Leather Round Table (RLRT). The RLRT is a platform that brings together stakeholders from all parts of the leather industry and related industries to accelerate the adoption of practices that will lead to measurable reduced GHGs from Tier 4 (particularly those that improve biodiversity, water, and soil health) and advance animal welfare and fair treatment of workers.
The RLRT is open to all and holds virtual meetings periodically; find out how you can participate here.
About Textile Exchange
Textile Exchange is a global nonprofit that creates leaders in the sustainable fiber and materials industry. The organization develops, manages, and promotes a suite of leading industry standards as well as collects and publishes vital industry data and insights that enable brands and retailers to measure, manage, and track their use of preferred fiber and materials.
With a membership that represents leading brands, retailers, and suppliers, Textile Exchange has, for years, been positively impacting climate through accelerating the use of preferred fibers across the global textile industry and is now making it an imperative goal through its 2030 Strategy: Climate+. Under the Climate+ strategic direction, Textile Exchange will be the driving force for urgent climate action with a goal of 45% reduced CO2 emissions from textile fiber and material production by 2030.
To learn more about Textile Exchange, visit TextileExchange.org. Follow us on Twitter at @TextileExchange.
Related Articles
