GSFA 2018 | HSBC | The Ganges Leather Buyers Platform

In 2016, WWF began a water stewardship programme to help tackle the pollution produced by leather tanneries in the Ganga River Basin. An estimated 286 million litres of industrial effluent from tanneries are discharged into the river every day, leading to poor water quality – water which people use for bathing, washing and ritual needs. The pollution is also affecting some of the unique wildlife in the river.

With support from HSBC, the programme established ‘The Ganges Leather Buyers Platform’ to enable retailers sourcing leather to support improved practices. Members of the platform include Tesco, John Lewis, ASOS, Next, Matalan and HSBC (the Bank joined the Platform as part of their ambitious strategy to improve sustainability in textile supply chains). The engagement so far has helped create a business case for tannery owners to improve practices, highlighting how this can save them money and increase access to international buyers.

This innovative platform contributes to achieving many SDGs, and in particular SDG 12 “Responsible consumption and production”.

Shot in the Kanpur region of India, this film was made to highlight the issues around leather production and inspire other brands to join the platform and support improved sustainability of leather production across India.