Levi Strauss & Co. has unveiled the LS&Co. Energy Accelerator Program (LEAP) in collaboration with Schneider Electric, a strategic effort to accelerate the transition to renewable electricity within its supply chain. This initiative aligns with Levi Strauss’s commitment to cutting supply chain emissions by 42% by 2030, based on a 2022 baseline, and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The LEAP programme will initially be implemented in India, with plans to expand into additional markets in the future. Jeffrey Hogue, Chief Sustainability Officer at Levi Strauss, expressed the company’s dedication to promoting renewable energy solutions that are adaptable to each supplier’s needs. The partnership with Schneider Electric leverages India’s extensive renewable electricity opportunities, enhancing support for suppliers’ sustainability efforts.
Participants in the programme will gain access to advantageous pricing and investment terms for renewable power, along with training and technical support. Schneider Electric will offer advisory services and financial analysis, enabling suppliers to explore options such as on-site solar installations, renewable energy certificates, or joining collective power purchase agreements. Levi Strauss’s participation in Walmart’s Gigaton Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) programme, also managed by Schneider Electric, will serve as a model for LEAP’s group PPAs.
Steve Wilhite, President of Schneider Electric Sustainability Business, emphasised the importance of advancing renewable energy across global supply chains to achieve significant climate impact. By merging Schneider Electric’s expertise with Levi Strauss’s sustainability goals, the programme seeks to unlock new opportunities for renewable energy in India and beyond.
