In a landmark move that reiterates luxury conglomerate Kering’s leadership in sustainable fashion, the company took centre stage at the 2025 ChangeNOW Summit in Paris.
affirming its long-standing commitment to eco-innovation and systemic change. With a platinum partnership and strategic presence at the three-day summit—billed as the world’s largest event for planet-positive solutions—Kering demonstrated its growing influence in shaping a climate-resilient, equitable, and circular economy.Held from April 24 to 26 at the iconic Grand Palais Éphémère, the event brought together stakeholders from global businesses, climate tech startups, civil society, and policymakers. For the sixth consecutive year, Kering used this international platform to champion purpose-driven transformation, especially in fashion, by integrating science-based climate goals with inclusive, scalable innovations.
One of the key themes was “Nature as an Economic Choice,” where experts explored the monetisation of ecosystem services like clean water, air, and climate regulation. At the core of the conversation was how ecosystems can no longer be treated as passive assets but as economic drivers critical to urban resilience and human well-being. Discussions revolved around the valuation of natural resources and how businesses can be incentivised to support biodiversity and land stewardship—an approach aligned with India’s growing push for urban nature integration and net-zero cities.Another notable session, “Getting Your Board on Board,” turned the spotlight on sustainability governance, an area where Indian companies are steadily progressing. The panel underscored the urgency for board-level leadership to embed ESG into corporate DNA. Leaders were encouraged to foster cultures of accountability and to take decisive steps in enabling transitions to low-carbon operations, a lesson equally relevant for India’s climate-sensitive urban hubs like Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi.
Kering also brought a strong focus on youth-led innovation, showcasing six startups from its Generation Award programme. The award, recently expanded to include Japan and Saudi Arabia, featured ventures working in circular economy models—from textile recycling to bio-based materials and PFAs-free clothing technologies. These startups echoed the kind of localised, clean-tech solutions Indian cities need as they balance fashion growth with sustainability imperatives.
In a parallel initiative, students from the IFM-Kering Sustainability Chair presented pioneering ideas, including plant-based fur alternatives, upcycled fashion hubs, and educational tools that demystify fashion’s environmental costs. This highlights the rising tide of academic-industry collaboration, a model that India’s fashion institutes could emulate to close the gap between learning and real-world action.
Kering’s persistent engagement at ChangeNOW demonstrates how global luxury brands can move beyond tokenism and catalyse change across industries. As India’s urban spaces evolve into more sustainable and inclusive ecosystems, such international collaborations provide critical insights into policy framing, grassroots innovation, and cross-sectoral partnerships.By consistently backing systemic innovation, Kering reinforces the idea that environmental integrity and economic growth are not mutually exclusive but deeply intertwined. The luxury giant’s Paris narrative offers a compelling model for emerging economies like India to frame climate action as a shared, investable opportunity rather than a burdensome obligation.
Kering Leads Eco Action at ChangeNOW Summit 2025