SHARM EL SHEIKH, November 8, 2022 – Today, at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, the Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) announced that they have partnered to launch the Fashion Industry Targets Consultation, seeking public input on cohesive and measurable impact goals from the fashion industry.
The Fashion Industry Objectives Consultation will aim to identify and converge existing objectives aligned with the industry, in accordance with the five priorities of the Fashion CEO Agenda: respectful and safe work environments, better salary systems, resource management, smart choices of materials and circular systems. In addition, the Consultation will seek to formulate new objectives where they are not currently covered, such as criteria for purchasing practices and circular design, to establish a path towards a positive network. (1) fashion industry.
The new Consultation will be a multi-stakeholder project led by GFA, a non-profit organization that fosters industry collaboration on sustainability in fashion to accelerate impact, and UNEP, drawing on the expertise of the network more wide United Nations around the world. the process. Together, GFA and UNEP are inviting stakeholders and partners from across the global value chain, including brands, retailers, NGOs, manufacturers, data providers, innovators, intergovernmental organizations, policymakers and more, to share their insights on the performance indicators and milestones that the industry should strive to meet and, more importantly, assess what tools and support these actors need to take action.
The fashion and textiles industry is responsible for some 300 million jobs worldwide, supporting vital livelihoods but also creating significant social and occupational risks for workers. Meanwhile, if the fashion industry continues on its current trajectory, it will fall short of the decarbonization targets needed to meet the UNFCCC’s 1.5 degree pathway by 50%. (two). The fashion value chain also has a significant impact on ecosystems through land use, resource use and pollution. Progress demands a holistic path to respect planetary sustainability, provide decent work and protect the human rights of these millions of people and their communities.
next UNEP report, Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain: A Global Roadmap and Global Fashion Agenda’s recent GFA Monitoring The report sets out the priorities and actions that all key stakeholders can take to achieve the transformation. However, this transformation will require stakeholders to work together towards common goals that will reduce the impact of fashion and create positive social and environmental contributions.
“We know that tackling the complex matrix of environmental and social issues prevalent in the fashion industry can seem insurmountable, especially when acting in isolation, which is why we at Global Fashion Agenda recognize the unparalleled value of collaboration. We are delighted to be working with UNEP and capturing the broader industry direction for goals that will accelerate the fashion industry forward, united in its purpose of a net positive industry,” said Federica Marchionni, CEO of Global Fashion. Diary.
Through consultation, the organizations intend to provide clarity and drive accountability by concluding a consistent, measurable, monitored and comprehensive set of goals, so that the industry can understand the current state of progress, areas what to focus on to accelerate impact and the timeframe for doing so.
“Addressing climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss requires a collaborative and holistic approach. Together with partners within the United Nations and beyond, UNEP works to ensure a just and effective transition to circularity involving all stakeholders. UNEP welcomes this unique opportunity with GFA to consult with the textile sector, including on circularity, chemicals in products, gender, worker protection and business models to ensure all voices are understood and inform ambitions,” said Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of Economics. and Industry Division.
The consultation will consist of an online survey for feedback on the goals that will be available in multiple languages and regional workshops organized by UNEP in Latin America and the Caribbean, Western Asia, Asia Pacific and Africa.
NOTES TO EDITORS
(1) A net positive industry is one that gives back more to the natural world, to people, to societies and to the economy than it extracts. The targets to be defined by the consultation will not be directly responsible for a net positive industry, but will help define the path towards it by fostering ambitious sustainability strategies that reduce harm, but also deliver positive outcomes for the environment and societies.
(2) Global Fashion Agenda, McKinsey & Company. (2020) Fashion in the Climate.
Learn more about the Consultation and how to get involved. Feedback is welcome between now and February 2023, after which feedback analysis will be shared and aligned goals will be announced in the 2023 GFA release. Fashion CEO Agenda at Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen edition in June 2023. In future editions of The GFA Monitor as of 2023.
About the Global Fashion Agenda
Global Fashion Agenda is a non-profit organization that fosters industry collaboration on sustainability in fashion to accelerate impact. With the vision of a net positive fashion industry, it drives action by mobilizing, inspiring, influencing and educating all stakeholders.
About the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
UNEP is the world’s leading voice on the environment. It provides leadership and fosters partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. Since its inception in 1972, UNEP has employed a number of cross-sectoral sub-programmes, specifically its work within textiles taking shape through providing strategic leadership and fostering collaboration across the sector to accelerate a just transition to a value chain. of sustainable and circular textile value, while supporting the rational management of chemical products.
The UNEP report, Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain: Global Stocktaking, identified environmental and socio-economic hotspots, and mapped initiatives working to address them. Its upcoming roadmap report defines a common transformation agenda for all value chain actors. UNEP’s textile work is based on multi-stakeholder consultation and collaboration in all regions for a holistic and inclusive approach. This includes participation in the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, an initiative of United Nations agencies and partner organizations designed to comprehensively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals through coordinated action in the fashion sector. Fashion.
For more information, contact:
Keisha Rukikaire, Head of News and Media, United Nations Environment Program