The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has announced the launch of the Deforestation-Free Leather Fund, a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing the sustainability of leather supply chains through targeted financial support. The fund seeks contributions from brands, retailers, leather processors, and manufacturers to drive improvements in traceability and responsible sourcing, particularly in regions at high risk of environmental degradation.
Leveraging over 25 years of expertise in supply chain sustainability, WWF intends to use the fund to invest in projects that reduce deforestation and ecosystem conversion linked to leather production. The initiative will initially focus on Brazil, a key player in global beef and leather markets, with plans to expand to other South American beef-producing countries in the near future.
Industry Leaders Join the Movement
Recognizing the environmental impact of leather production, WWF is calling on companies in the fashion, automotive, and furniture industries to take collective action in mitigating deforestation-related risks. Tapestry, Inc., a prominent New York-based house of lifestyle brands, including Coach and Kate Spade, has emerged as one of the first major contributors to the fund.
Tapestry’s commitment builds upon its previous sustainability efforts, including a $3 million philanthropic grant by the Tapestry Foundation in 2022 to improve traceability in the Brazilian leather supply chain. The company’s Vice President of ESG and Sustainability, Logan Duran, emphasized the importance of industry-wide participation, stating, “We believe strongly in the importance of sustainability in leather manufacturing, and this commitment reaffirms that belief. We invite other companies, both within and outside our industry, to join us in these efforts.”
Strategic Goals and Investment Areas
The Deforestation-Free Leather Fund will channel investments into three key areas:
- Enhancing Traceability Systems: Expanding existing initiatives and supporting new efforts to establish end-to-end tracking mechanisms in cattle supply chains.
- Farm-Level Sustainability Investments: Providing direct financial support to help farmers and ranchers adopt deforestation-free practices and improve cattle production methods.
- Farm Regularization for Market Access: Assisting producers in formalizing operations, rehabilitating degraded land, and meeting sustainability benchmarks to secure market entry.
The initiative aims to tag and individually track 1 million cattle within its first three years while supporting the recovery of 45,000 hectares (111,200 acres) of degraded farmland during the same period.
Funding and Governance
WWF will oversee the governance and management of the fund, targeting an initial $10 million in corporate contributions to finance the first three years of operations. Companies will be asked to contribute based on annual revenue (for brands and retailers) or the number of hides processed annually (for leather processors and manufacturers).
This collaborative effort aims to strengthen global supply chains while reinforcing corporate commitments to deforestation-free sourcing and sustainable business practices.
About WWF
WWF is a leading global conservation organization operating in nearly 100 countries. With over five decades of experience, WWF is committed to implementing science-based solutions to protect biodiversity, combat climate change, and promote sustainable resource use.
Download Our Free Magazine
Get Industry Insights, Trends & Latest Innovations in the Textile & Apparel Industry
