There are less than eight years left to align with the 1.5 degree path and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. If the fashion industry does not accelerate its response to climate change, by 2030 it will be responsible for producing roughly twice the volume of emissions allowed to align with the global warming pathways of the Paris Agreement towards net-zero emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, The global pandemic and volatile geopolitical climate is dramatically altering the global economy, exacerbating social dilemmas and disrupting commodity and value chains around the world. Bold partnerships are needed to reshape the fashion system and bring about widespread change.
In an attempt to speed up progress, The GFA Monitor presents a guide according to the five sustainability priorities of the Fashion CEO Agenda: Respectful and safe work environments, better salary systems, circular systems, resource management and smart material choices. Building alliances through shared industry knowledge, each priority includes expert insights from GFA’s impact partners, including: Fair Labor Association (FLA), Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Apparel Impact Institute and Textile Exchange, respectively. Through action on these priorities, GFA believes the industry will move toward achieving a living wage and fair compensation for all, a significant reduction in conventional virgin resources, and a decline in emissions that will lead to an industry of net positive mode.
Federica MarchionniCEO, Global Fashion Agendasays: “With such a variety of information circulating on sustainability, it can be challenging for leaders to identify what actions will guide them on the path to progress. Through this report, our goal is to create an aligned resource for the industry. We have created alliances with multiple expert organizations with different specialties to combine existing knowledge and reduce complexity. The solutions and tools that the fashion industry needs to improve already exist. It is time to use them with ambition. I hope that this report can be a companion for the industry on its journey to reach a net positive industry by 2050.
Through a newly formed partnership with sustainability insights platform Higg, GFA is working to establish a measurement baseline to improve the availability, reliability and consistency of data to measure industry progress. Data from brands and retailers that have completed the Higg Brand & Retail (BRM) module* indicates that they have made the most progress in the areas of Resource Management, Safe and Respectful Work Environments and Smart Material Choices, while improvements remain significant to do. related to Better Salary Systems and Circular Systems. The data demonstrates that more action is urgently needed in all five priority areas to improve industry performance. (See more highlights below.)
Building on the inaugural 2022 edition, GFA intends to The GFA Monitor become an annual indicator of the fashion industry; monitor industry progress to increase accountability, present the latest insights and impact data, and identify critical actions required to meet your goals. GFA welcomes further cooperation with other industry organizations as the annual report evolves and responds to scientific and industry developments.
GFA and its Impact Partners will discuss the findings during the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition, the leading international forum for sustainability in fashion, taking place June 7-8 at the Royal Opera House, Copenhagen.
Jason KibbeyCEOhig – Data partner for The GFA MonitorHe says: “Higg IIt is an honor to have been selected as a GFA Data Partner. We look forward to helping close the information gaps that exist today to give businesses the data they need to make critical interventions and reduce impact.”
Words from The GFA Monitor Impact Partners:
Lewis PerkinsPresidentClothing Impact Institute (Aii)He says: “Congratulations to GFA for this new report that highlights the necessarily collaborative nature of industry efforts to accelerate positive impact. Aii is proud to contribute content on proven data-driven solutions that are ready to scale to improve resource efficiency. Only with greater transparency and by paying attention to the tremendous gaps that we must fill quickly in the coming years, will our industry be able to successfully make the changes that are imperative today.“
Laura Balmond, Head of FashionEllen MacArthur FoundationHe says: “GFA brings together key industry players to tackle challenges and create real change, so we’re delighted to share our vision of a circular economy for fashion in the latest GFA Monitor report. Together we can redesign the fashion industry from a linear model of take, make waste, to one that eliminates waste and pollution, circulates products and materials, and regenerates nature.“
Sharon Waxmann, president and CEO, Fair Labor Association (FLA), He says: “The GFA Monitor shows what can be achieved when fashion companies commit to sustainability. At the Fair Labor Association, we work with global brands to foster that same commitment to improving the lives of workers in factories around the world. Collaboration is key to addressing the health, safety and economic well-being of workers, especially when it comes to living wages.”
janet mensink, Executive Director, Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP)He says: “The need to focus on respectful and safe working environments in fashion supply chains has never been more urgent. The guidance provided in GFA Monitor can help the industry move in the right direction and harness the power of collaborative approaches that create systemic change and maximize impact.“
Ashley GillDirector of Strategy, textile Exchange, He says: “With the Clima+ strategy, Textile Exchange is committed to driving a 45% reduction in GHG emissions in the production of fibers and materials. We urge companies to consider material options and business models that reduce impacts while keeping in mind interdependent impacts such as biodiversity, soil health, and water. The GFA Monitor will provide essential guidance for change agents on the industry journey..“
Watch The GFA Monitor press conference to learn more and hear from our impact partners.
Download the full embargoed report here and supporting images here.
Visit globalfashionagenda.org to stay up to date on Global Fashion Agenda news and insights.
SOURCE Global Fashion Agenda
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