Dozens of top fashion industry firms have pledged at the UN climate talks to reduce their combined greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.
“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,” UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa said in announcing the endeavour.
Industry giants joining the UN-led initiative include Adidas, Burberry, Esprit, Guess, Gap, H&M, Hugo Boss, Levi Strauss, Puma, Salomon and the Kering group, which owns Balenciaga, Gucci, and Yves Saint Laurent among others.
Maersk, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, also signed the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action Monday on the margins of UN climate talks in Katowice, Poland.
The 43 firms have agreed to prioritise “climate-friendly” materials and low-carbon transport, and to stop installing coal-fired boilers at manufacturing sites from no later than 2025.
The companies have also pledged to explore so-called circular business models and encourage consumers to increase the lifespan of clothing, despite the “fast fashion” trend of frequently renewing entire wardrobes.
The fashion industry is said to produce about 10% of the world’s CO2 emissions.
