Fashion houses sign UN-backed pledge on climate change

The Fashion Industry is taking steps to address climate change by launching the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.

The charter was officially launched during the United Nation's COP24 climate summit in Poland, with several fashion houses signing on with the aim to reduce emissions and combat climate change.

The charter which is open for other companies and organizations to join recognizes the crucial role that fashion plays on both sides of the climate equation; as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and as a sector with multiple opportunities to reduce emissions while contributing to sustainable development.

Further, it contains the vision for the industry to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and defines issues that will be addressed by signatories, ranging from decarbonization of the production phase, selection of climate-friendly and sustainable materials, low-carbon transport, improved consumer dialogue and awareness, working with the financing community and policymakers to catalyze scalable solutions, and exploring circular business models.

Fashion houses and brands such as Adidas, Burberry, Esprit, Stella McCartney, Gap Inc. Hugo Boss, H&M Group, Inditex, Kering, Levi Strauss & Co., Puma SE, PVH Corp., and Target; have pledged to reduce their CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, under the guidance of the United Nations. There are also leading membership organizations, including Business for Social Responsibility, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, China National Textile and Apparel Council, Outdoor Industry Association and Textile Exchange.

'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,' said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa. '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.'

The fashion industry remains one of the most polluting industries in the world and a huge source of greenhouse gases. The textile production caused 1.2 billion tons of CO2 emissions in 2015 - which is more than all international flights and transports combined and exceeds the annual emissions of all of Australia.

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