Leather Working Group reviews 2024 achievements
The Leather Working Group (LWG) has highlighted its key achievements for 2024, focusing on sustainability, transparency, and collaboration within the leather industry. In an interview with The Prospect Society, Executive Director Vanessa Podmore, who joined the organisation this year, discussed her vision for LWG and its future direction.
“My very first job was at Clarks Shoes,” Ms Podmore shared. “I joined them in the UK as a Graduate Trainee and learned about the importance of a supplier community. That exposure to and experience with supply chains is part of what brought me to LWG.”
Among the year's milestones, LWG published a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) report that provided detailed insights into leather production and contributed to a 60% reduction in the material's global warming potential in the Higg Materials Sustainability Index. Ms Podmore noted, “The analysis was somewhere in the region of a 60% reduction in the environmental impact of leather, compared to previous assessments. This is clearly significant and has been highly beneficial to our stakeholder groups.”
LWG also introduced the next phase of its Audit Standard, focusing on deforestation due diligence, carbon footprint measurement, and supply chain transparency. “Ultimately, this Standard will show our commitment to continuous improvement in the leather sector,” Ms Podmore said.
Collaboration remained central to LWG’s work, with partnerships involving organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund, UNIDO, and Textile Exchange.
Looking ahead to 2025, LWG plans to open public consultation on its updated Audit Standard and celebrate its 20th anniversary at Lineapelle in September.
Additional updates and resources are available on the LWG website.
