Levi’s deadly climate impact detailed in new report

Read the report “Too Deadly To Wear: Levi’s Pollution, the Booming Fashion Industry, and its Role in Deaths from Air Pollution and Climate Change”: http://fashion.stand.earth/

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Today, international environmental organization Stand.earth released its “Too Deadly to Wear” report, detailing the fashion industry’s and Levi Strauss & Co’s outsized role in the deadly impacts of climate change and air pollution across the globe. 

Read the report “Too Deadly To Wear: Levi’s Pollution, the Booming Fashion Industry, and its Role in Deaths from Air Pollution and Climate Change”: https://fashion.stand.earth/

Among the report’s findings:

• Deadly pollution: The fashion industry is responsible for as many as 38,000 climate change deaths a year. Levi’s climate pollution can be correlated with as many as 31 deaths a year from the impacts of climate change — approximately one every 12 days.* 

• Levi’s climate impact: Levi’s annual climate pollution is vast — equal to that of 1.1 million cars. Many of Levi’s factories are located in pollution hot spots in China.

• Ignoring the supply chain: 99% of Levi’s climate pollution comes from its supply chain. Yet the company has no policy, and has taken no meaningful action, to address impacts outside of its owned operations.

• Brand leader: With its financial strength, global brand recognition, and stated commitment to environmental sustainability, Levi’s is positioned to lead the fashion industry into ambitious climate action. 

• Real commitment: To meet or beat the targets of the UN Paris Agreement on climate change, a true climate commitment from Levi’s must include: absolute reductions in total greenhouse gases, transitioning its entire supply chain to renewables, and committing to long-term carbon emission reductions. 

“The fashion industry is the source of approximately 8% of global climate pollution — if it were a nation, it would be the fourth largest climate polluter on Earth. Yet major brands like Levi’s continue to drag their feet on comprehensive climate action, ignoring the massive amount of pollution hiding in their supply chain,” said Todd Paglia, Executive Director at Stand.earth.

“The report findings are incredibly clear: the fashion industry’s fossil fuel addiction contributes to deadly air pollution and climate change. The fashion industry doesn’t have the luxury to stand on the sidelines — climate solutions are readily available, but immediate action is required, and Levi’s can lead the way,” added Paglia. 

The report release follows the December 2017 launch of Stand.earth’s “Too Dirty to Wear” campaign. Learn more: https://www.stand.earth/toodirtytowear. 

ATTENTION EDITORS: At 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 26 in New York City, campaign activists will gather outside the Levi’s store in Times Square, removing their jeans in protest over the company’s climate pollution.

*See report for full information on methodologies, baseline information, and data limitations in the projections.

Media contact: Virginia Cleaveland, Stand.earth, virginia@stand.earth, 510-858-9902