A number of retailers and fashion giants have signed the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, which was announced at COP24, the United Nation’s conference on climate change held in Poland.
These firms have pledged to reduce their carbon emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and UN Climate Change.
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Major fashion retailers and brands such as Adidas, Burberry, Esprit, Guess, Gap, H&M Group, Levi Strauss & Co., Mammut Sports Group, SLN Textil, Stella McCartney and Target joined the Charter as the founding signatories.
Meanwhile, organisations including Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), Sustainable Fashion Academy (SFA) and more have joined as the supporting members.
The Charter works in collaboration with all the members to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the industry to zero by 2050 and contribute to sustainable development.
It also defines various issues to be addressed by signitories such as decarbonisation of the production phase, the use of sustainable materials, low-carbon transport, better consumer dialogue and awareness, as well as circular business models.
Under the Charter, six working groups have been set up featuring the founding signatories to define measures to address the issues.
UN Climate Change executive secretary Patricia Espinosa said: “The fashion industry is always two steps ahead when it comes to defining world culture, so I am pleased to see it now also leading the way in terms of climate action.
“I congratulate the signatories of this important charter, which represents a unique commitment and collaboration from an array of fashion leaders. The Charter, like the renowned fashion runways of the world, sets an example that I hope others will follow.”
