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 a partnership to launch a consultation on fashion industry goals.
The fashion industry target consultation aims to identify and converge targets aligned with the existing industry according to five priorities. fashion CEO agenda: respectful and safe working environment, better wage system, resource management, smart material selection and circular system.In addition, the consultation will aim to develop new targets not currently covered – such as purchasing practices and circular design criteria – to establish a path to net positives. (1) fashion industry.
The new consultation is a multi-stakeholder project led by GFA and UNEP, non-profit organizations promoting industry collaboration on fashion sustainability to accelerate impact. process. Together, GFA and UNEP will invite stakeholders and partners from across the global value chain, including brands, retailers, NGOs, manufacturers, data providers, innovators, intergovernmental organizations, policy makers, etc., to discuss performance indicators and milestones. share insights. And critically, we need to assess the tools and support these stakeholders need to take action.
The fashion and textiles industry, which employs approximately 300 million people worldwide, supports vital livelihoods, but also poses significant social and occupational risks to workers. On the other hand, if the fashion industry continues on its current trajectory, he will fall short of the 50% decarbonization target required to comply with his 1.5 degree pathway to the UNFCCC. (2)The fashion value chain also has a significant impact on ecosystems through land use, resource use and pollution. Progress requires a holistic course that respects the sustainability of the planet, provides dignified jobs and protects the human rights of millions of people and their communities.
Future UNEP reports, Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain: A Global Roadmap and of the global fashion agenda Recently GFA monitor The report outlines priorities and actions that all key stakeholders can take towards transformation. However, this transformation requires stakeholders working together towards a common goal of reducing fashion’s impact and creating social and environmental contributions.
“We know that dealing with the complex matrix of environmental and social issues prevalent in the fashion industry can sometimes feel insurmountable, especially when acting in isolation. We are delighted to be working with UNEP to steer the entire industry towards the goal of accelerating the fashion industry’s progress, united in its purpose of being a net positive industry.”
Through consultation, each organization will develop a clear vision by concluding a set of coherent, measurable, monitored and complete goals to help the industry understand current progress, areas that need to be focused on. It is intended to provide integrity and promote accountability. Accelerate impact and time frame to do so.
“Tackling climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss requires a collaborative and holistic approach. UNEP is working to ensure an effective and effective transition, including circularity, chemicals in products, gender, worker protection and business models to ensure that all voices are heard. , welcomes this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with GFA to consult with the textile sector and industry sector,” said Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Minister of Economic Affairs.
The consultation will consist of an online survey of targeted feedback available in multiple languages and regional workshops hosted by UNEP in Latin America and the Caribbean, West Asia, Asia Pacific and Africa.
Note to editors
(1) A net plus industry is an industry that gives back to nature, people, society and the economy more than it gets. The goals defined by the consultation are not directly accountable to the industry for net positives, but rather ambitious sustainability strategies that not only reduce harm but also have positive environmental and social outcomes. Encouragement helps define a path towards it.
(2) Global Fashion Agenda, McKinsey & Company. (2020) climatic fashion.
Learn more about the consultation and how to participate. Feedback is welcome from now until February 2023. Feedback analysis will then be shared and the aligned targets will be revealed in his GFA publication for 2023. fashion CEO agenda An assessment of the industry’s progress towards these goals will be presented at the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition in June 2023. GFA monitor After 2023.
About the Global Fashion Agenda
The Global Fashion Agenda is a non-profit organization that facilitates industry collaboration on fashion sustainability to accelerate impact. With a vision of a net positive fashion industry, we mobilize, inspire, influence and educate all stakeholders to drive action.
About the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. UNEP provides leadership in environmental stewardship by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising it for future generations; We encourage partnerships. Work within Textiles will be shaped through providing strategic leadership and fostering collaboration across the sector to support sound management of chemicals while accelerating a just transition to a sustainable and circular textile value chain. increase.
The UNEP report, Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain: Global Stocktaking, identified environmental and socio-economic hotspots and mapped initiatives to address them. Future roadmap reports will define transformational challenges common to all value chain actors. UNEP’s textile operations are based on multi-stakeholder consultation and collaboration across all regions for a holistic and comprehensive approach. This includes its involvement in the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, an initiative of United Nations agencies and affiliated organizations aimed at contributing collectively to the Sustainable Development Goals through concerted action in the fashion sector. included.
For more information, please contact:
Keisha Rukikaire, Head of News & Media, United Nations Environment Program
