H&M announces it will stop using leather from Brazil.

Amidst the growing global opposition to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, H&M has been quick to make its position clear.

Last month, 32 companies owning 150 fashion brands signed a pledge to minimize the negative impact of the fashion industry on the environment, aiming to protect biodiversity and the oceans. Quickly, in the face of the Amazon rainforest being engulfed in flames, H&M announced it would stop using leather from Brazil (the Amazon fire-prone region), although this was only a temporary measure.

“Due to the severe wildfires occurring in the Amazon rainforest and their connection to cattle grazing, we have decided to implement a temporary ban on leather materials from Brazil. The ban will be in effect until reliable statistics and evidence demonstrate that the consumption of animal hides does not negatively impact the environment in the Amazon region,” H&M stated.

The ongoing news of the Amazon rainforest fires has sparked widespread protests around the world, with H&M being the latest company to publicly take a clear stance against Brazil. In addition, fashion brands like The North Face and Vans have also issued temporary bans on sourcing leather from the South American country. All bans remain in effect until suppliers can demonstrate that the consumption of animal hides does not cause any harm to the environment.

As the world's second-largest fashion retailer, every move H&M makes can have far-reaching global impacts. Although the majority of leather goods manufacturers are European companies, even the smallest positive decision by this fashion conglomerate is a step in the right direction.

Phuong Anh