JLR: Luxury Interiors with High Sustainability Standards

Leather is a material that can provide the highest luxury, but too often comes with unsustainable and unethical practices. 

JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) has joined the Leather Working Group (LWG) in attempts to address these problems. 

The LWG is an organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable and responsible practices within the leather industry with members including Adidas, LVMH, Maserati, Harrods and Dune Group.

Andrea Debbane, Chief Sustainability Officer at JLR, says: “Through becoming a member of the Leather Working Group, JLR can help promote the highest standards in leather production and sustainable development, in line with our Reimagine strategy, which aims to set new benchmarks in environmental societal and community impact for a luxury business.

“This means committing to transparency, social responsibility and environmental stewardship, and ensuring full traceability in all our material sourcing, including leather.”

The sustainability issues with leather

Cattle ranching for leather is a big driver of deforestation, particularly in the Amazon rainforest. 

Up to 80% of deforestation in the Amazon is linked to cattle ranching. 

The livestock industry is also a significant emitter of methane and nitrous oxide emissions that impact climate change. 

The leather industry has been linked to forced labour in some countries and can impact indigenous people’s territories. 

Many leather supply chains lack transparency, making it difficult for consumers to know and understand the true origin and impact of leather products. 

However, leather can be biodegradable, having a smaller impact on the environment than materials like plastics. 

Meet the Leather Working Group

The LWG was first formed in 2005 as a collaborative initiative between footwear, apparel and upholstery brands and leather manufacturers. 

The organisation has grown to become the world’s largest leather industry-specific stakeholder organisation representing more than 2000 stakeholders across more than 60 companies. 

Members of the organisation include Cargill, Gant, Asics Corporation, Hobbs and Hugo Boss. 

Leather Working Group Executive Director Vanessa Podmore says: “Collaboration is at the heart of our organisation. 

“Over 19 years ago, one of our first collaboration partners was the World Wildlife Fund and that continues to this day, including the work we do with both them and Textile Exchange on the Deforestation Free Call to Action for Leather.”

How JLR uses leather

In a luxury vehicle, customers expect the absolute best materials and there are few more comfortable, long-lasting seats than leather. 

It’s not just seats - both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands have lifestyle collections that include leather goods like briefcases, wallets and jackets.

In 2021, the company launched a trial of a digital supply chain for leather using blockchain technology in partnership with Circulor, Bridge of Weir Leather Company and the University of Nottingham. 

Barbara Bergmeier, Executive Director Industrial Operations at JLR, says: "Through Reimagine, we have been creating a new end-to-end industrial operation, increasing transparency at all levels and focusing on strengthening relationships with our suppliers.

"By collaborating with the Leather Working Group, we are taking a step further to understand fully our leather supply chain, whilst maintaining the highest quality standards on the end product for our clients."

Through its LWG membership, JLR reaffirms its commitment to supporting the development of tools that drive continuous improvement and create a positive impact across the leather industry. 

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