25 January 2013, Singapore – Conservation organization WWF and H&M have entered a three year global partnership.
“This partnership marks an evolution in the corporate approach to water. H&M understands that its long-term success depends on access to adequate water supplies. It also understands that its social license to operate depends on being a good neighbour and good steward of shared resources. H&M‟s water strategy is an integral part of its business plan and we hope other companies will be inspired to take the same approach,” says Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International.
H&M designers and buyers will receive additional training in the water impacts of raw material production, as well as wet processes for different styles, to promote more sustainable choices.
“Water is a key resource for H&M and we are committed to ensure water is used responsibly throughout our value chain. We do this to minimize risks in our operations, protect the environment and to secure availability of water. We are proud of the partnership with WWF which we hope will inspire others to follow, “says Karl-Johan Persson, CEO of H&M.
Currently, 2.7 billion people – roughly half the world‟s population – live in river basins that experience severe water scarcity during at least one month of the year, according to WWF‟s 2012 Living Planet Report. About a third of the factories that make clothes for H&M using wet processes are already located in extreme water scarce areas, or will be by 2025. H&M has worked for more than 10 years to reduce negative water impacts in different parts of the value chain.
For more infomation visit www.hm.com/water