The fashion industry is responsible for 8 to 10 % of the world's carbon emissions. Around 85 % of all textiles are sent to landfill every year, and this figure is only rising. This is due to the sector's focus on short-term gains rather than sustainability, as well as the use of heavy, water-hungry fabrics and processes.

The fashion industry also has a major impact on our waterways and ecosystems. The textile industry uses large quantities of water and energy and produces harmful chemicals. It generates large quantities of waste and litter and contributes to climate change. What's more, it encourages a culture of over-consumption, leading to environmental degradation.

When it comes to fast fashion, consumers around the world produce around 3 billion plastic bags every year. And these plastic bags end up in our waterways, where they can harm marine life and stunt the growth of vital coral reefs. Washing certain types of clothing releases significant quantities of microplastics into the ocean, so consumers can help reduce this impact by limiting their use of synthetic clothing wherever possible.

Leadership with management concept. Ranking in chess and team victory in business with influence.
Leadership with management concept. Ranking in chess and team victory in business with influence.

Plastics in textiles

- Synthetic fibers, such as polyester, account for around 60 % of all clothing and 70 % of household textiles.

- They are mainly used for their properties such as durability, water resistance, ease of washing, high strength and low weight.

- Fast fashion is heavily dependent on synthetic fibers, such as polyester, which are derived from plastic.

- The textile sector accounts for 15 % of total plastic use, and is a major source of plastic leakage into the environment.

- Every year, between 200,000 and 500,000 tonnes of microplastics from textiles enter the marine environment.

- It poses environmental risks for marine life due to its small size and ability to accumulate in the food chain.

- For example, seabirds can become entangled in synthetic fibers or ingest them unintentionally by pecking at floating debris.

- These microplastics also pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems as they can impact the development of fish larvae by causing impaction or absorbing pollutants such as flame retardants and hormonal compounds (EOS).;

Further reading: EOS - https://www.environmentalimpactassessment.org/resources/reports/epa-toxic-substances-synthetic-fibres-sea-animals?utm_campaign=Synthetic+Fibres&utm_source=EOS&utm_medium=C2E&utm_term=Synthetic+Fibness&C2E=EOS

International cooperation on sustainable fashion

The UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion strives to improve collaboration between UN agencies and put an end to environmentally and socially destructive fashion practices. The "Forests for Fashion" initiative, launched by the UNECE, FAO and partners in 2013, aims in particular to support sustainable solutions in fashion through materials sourced from forests. As such, it encourages apparel companies to use certified sustainable forest products in their products instead of non-certified forest products.

The WBCSD has also supported corporate initiatives in favor of the circular economy and sustainable consumption and production (SCP). This includes initiatives specific to the fashion industry, such as the Declaration of sustainable developmentwhich describes a set of business principles that companies can follow to create sustainable supply chains. The misalignment of business ethics, cultural values and socio-economic conditions between Western and Asian countries can be a barrier to the adoption of sustainable supply chains in the fashion industry.

As such, international cooperation on sustainability must be strengthened so that the fashion industry can adopt more sustainable practices and meet global environmental goals.

Group of business consultants working with digital tablets, big data management and analysis of corporate financial documents.
Group of business consultants working with digital tablets, big data management and analysis of corporate financial documents.

World Cotton Day

- World Cotton Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2020 to celebrate the importance of cotton to economic development and world trade.

- Cotton production can have a negative impact on the environment through the use of pesticides and high water consumption.

- Sustainable production practices are essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. sustainable development.

- The WTO, ITC, UNCTAD, WWF, FAO and ICAC have all launched initiatives to promote sustainable cotton growing.

- The Better Cotton Initiative is an example of an organization working to measure the sustainability of cotton-growing systems.

This organization has developed sustainable cotton-growing standards for farmers around the world, and provides information and support to help them achieve these goals.

- By promoting sustainable cotton production, organizations like this one can help ensure that the environmental impact of cotton growing is manageable and sustainable over time.

Sustainable fashion in Geneva

- The City of Geneva provides resources and events to learn about environmental sustainability in the fashion industry through the Clothes We Wear initiative and Planet Wednesdays. With these activities, the City of Geneva aims to raise consumer awareness of environmental issues.

- In particular, it promotes sustainable fashion practices by encouraging consumers to choose sustainable clothing and accessories. In this way, it shows that fashion can be sustainable and ethical.

- International organizations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable sustainable development (WBCSD) and members of the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion are based in Geneva. These organizations provide information on sustainable fashion and encourage their member brands to adopt sustainable fashion practices.

- Consumers can take steps to support sustainability in their clothing choices, such as buying responsibly and seeking out second-hand and rental stores. Research from Aalto University and the Sustainability journal suggests that sustainable fashion is complex and requires interaction between design and consumption.

Better Cotton Initiative

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is a global platform that seeks to improve cotton production for sustainable and profitable use. The United Nations General Assembly declared October 7 World Cotton Day in recognition of cotton's role in economic development and poverty reduction. BCI strives to support cotton growers around the world by improving their farming practices and business skills. Primark has set up a sustainable cotton program that works with CottonConnect and the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) to support over 11,000 women cotton farmers in India. Through this program, Primark offers training courses and technical assistance to help these women growers increase their productivity and reduce their operating costs. By supporting sustainable cotton production, Primark contributes to make sure to make this fiber accessible and affordable to consumers worldwide.

International Labor Organization

The International Labor Organization promotes decent work in the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sector through social dialogue, capacity building, sustainable production initiatives and policy support. The World Business Council for Sustainable sustainable developmentbased in Geneva, supports corporate initiatives in favor of the circular economy and sustainable consumption and production throughout the world. fashion industry. The City of Geneva provides resources for responsible purchasing and a directory of second-hand and rental stores.

Public Eye provides fashion labels and standards, as well as information on fairer fashion. The UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion includes UNDP, UNEP, the UN Global Compact, UNFCCC and UNOPS. The alliance aims to promote sustainable fashion practices through education, research and advocacy.

CCI's ethical fashion initiative

The sustainable fashion industry is growing and evolving rapidly, requiring innovative business models and sustainability practices. The International Trade Centre's Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) seeks to help fashion brands make ethical and sustainable choices. EFI connects marginalized artisans in the developing world with international fashion houses for mutually beneficial relationships. The EFI secretariat is part of the United Nations Sustainable Fashion Alliance, which strives to promote environmental sustainability in the fashion industry. At Clothes We Wear Wednesdays for the Planet, fashion companies come together to celebrate environmental sustainability in the fashion industry through education, networking and collaboration.

EFI events seek to raise awareness of ethical and sustainable purchasing in the fashion industry while empowering marginalized artisan groups.

A strategic approach to international chemicals management

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a multi-stakeholder project that promotes information sharing and cooperative action to address chemicals in products, particularly textiles. As part of this initiative, various stakeholders have adopted a number of joint efforts to promote sustainable business practices, including the development of new methods for testing the safety of processes or products. These efforts are essential as the fashion industry is highly dependent on chemicals.

Policymakers need to focus on RI, BMI and ECB in fashion manufacturing, as these parameters have a direct impact on environmental sustainability and health risks. This can be achieved by implementing safe and sustainable processes, such as alternative textile manufacturing methods that offer better safety and health for workers. Sustainable marketing activities are also an important area of research for brands seeking to increase customer satisfaction and trust.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development is committed to the circular economy and sustainable trade in the textile industry through research and support for developing countries. The World Business Council for Sustainable sustainable development supports corporate initiatives in favor of the circular economy and sustainable consumption and production, including in the fashion industry. In 2018, the UN joined forces with the World Business Council to launch a fashion sustainability initiative to promote sustainable fashion practices. The UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion was created in 2019 with the support of major fashion brands such as H&M and Inditex. The COVID-19 pandemic had a direct effect on global fashion production networks, leading to an increase in demand for sustainable clothing.

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

The World Business Council for Sustainable sustainable development (WBCSD) and the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion (UNASF) are based in Geneva and support circular economy and sustainable consumption and production initiatives in the fashion industry. These organizations regularly organize workshops and training sessions to help fashion companies take action on sustainability. In March 2019, they organized an event on sustainable fashion that featured talks from industry leaders, including representatives from Céline and other brands. The event addressed current sustainability challenges in the fashion industry, such as supply chain issues and the environmental impacts of production, as well as ways to address them.

In addition to these organizations, there are also many other resources available to learn about environmental sustainability in the fashion industry. The Fashion Pact was presented to the G7 summit of world leaders by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2019, and several major fashion brands have endorsed it. The COVID-19 pandemic had an immediate impact on global fashion production networks, leading to a sharp increase in demand for sustainable materials. This forced manufacturers to scramble to find alternative supply routes or increase production of sustainable materials to meet demand.

The World Business Council for Sustainable sustainable development

The World Business Council for Sustainable sustainable development (WBCSD), based in Geneva, supports circular economy and sustainable consumption and production initiatives in the fashion industry. In 2019, UNASF was established in Geneva to promote sustainability in fashion. The Planet: Fashion event at the Geneva Environment Network drew attention to environmental sustainability issues within the fashion industry. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development provides research and support to developing countries on the circular economy and sustainable trade in the textile industry. The United Nations Conference on Women (UNCOW) is a global organization fighting for gender equality in the workplace.

The #UNfashion hashtag helps fashion brands and consumers around the world share their sustainable practices and look for more sustainable fashion options.

Conclusion

Ethical and sustainable purchasing is about maintaining a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability. It also requires fashion brands to strive to reduce their environmental impact by using materials such as organic cotton and sustainable fibers in their products. In addition, fashion brands must use recycled materials wherever possible, minimize the use of fast-fashion production techniques and create long-term sustainable business models. As consumers, we play an important role in influencing brands to adopt ethical purchasing practices through our purchasing decisions. If we choose to buy products made to ethical and sustainable standards, fashion brands will have no choice but to follow suit. Join the conversation on ethical fashion and sustainable by commenting below!

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