WHY FASHION ON CLIMATE?
Introduction
Fashion needs to act on climate. If we continue on our current path, we will miss our 2030 emissions reduction targets by 50%, leading to accelerated global warming.
From rising sea levels, to extreme rainfall and more powerful heatwaves, the consequences of climate change can no longer be ignored, either by society or the fashion industry, which will see many impacts on its operations in the years ahead.
Together with our Strategic Knowledge Partner, McKinsey & Company, we create thematic deep-dives focused on specific sustainability topics. To realise our vision and support industry sustainability efforts, we develop common industry fact-bases and demystify complexities to guide and mobilise the industry to take bold action on sustainability.
Fashion on Climate
Published by Global Fashion Agenda
In partnership with McKinsey
TOGETHER, WE CAN ACHIEVE GLOBAL CLIMATE GOALS TO SAFEGUARD OUR FUTURE
SUMMARY
Fashion on Climate presents the fashion industry’s impact on climate change. With analysis on the GHG emissions, it outlines areas in which industry players can focus their efforts to meet climate targets.
It offers insight into the industry’s potential for decarbonisation and calls on all stakeholders, including brands, retailers, manufacturers, citizens, investors, and policy makers to play their part in setting the fashion industry on the 1.5-degree pathway. Only by daring to change, collaborate and embrace new ways of operating can we, together, transform the industry and prevent further global warming.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
We all have a role to play in combatting climate change. Together we have the potential to drastically reduce carbon emissions by 2030.
Brands and retailers have influence across the value cycle. Decisions conceived at the designers’ drawing table, policies established at HQ, partner choices, and end-of-use strategies are among the many factors that will dictate levels of emissions.
Factories, material producers and other upstream players must be fully involved in and committed to decarbonisation programmes. Brands and retailers should support value chain players in tracking, analysing and benchmarking their carbon emissions and enhancing transparency.
As citizens, we all need to work to extend the longevity of the clothes we wear. We can do that by washing less often and at cooler temperatures and ensuring that we recycle or enable reuse, rather than throwing things away.
Additionally, investors and regulators must help create an environment that promotes change and enables fashion players to accelerate their efforts.
