Fashion brands are set to receive valuable support in measuring their carbon footprint and aligning with climate science, thanks to a pioneering platform that is set to launch in 2022. Three retailers – About You, Zalando, and Yoox Net-A-Porter – are leading the initiative, which aims to expand its reach to 250 brand partners, surpassing the 55 participating brands in its successful first year.
The objective of the platform is to empower fashion brands to accurately measure and monitor their carbon footprint, as well as establish targets in line with climate science. In its second year, the initiative will offer an eight-week hands-on course to brand partners, comprising four modules that span eight hours in total. Participants can choose between an engagement track that provides tailored support or a self-directed approach with access to on-demand learning materials.
Hannes Wiese, Co-chief executive officer of Holding SE at About You, emphasized the significance of collaboration and transparency in driving sustainable change across the fashion industry. He stated that accountability and comparability between businesses can lead to positive changes in the sector. About You, Zalando, and Yoox Net-A-Porter are excited to move into the second year of the initiative, building on the strong results achieved by Fashion Leap for Climate in its inaugural year.
During the platform’s first year, brand partners experienced an impressive 85% increase in their understanding of science-based goals. Additionally, 100% of participants felt more prepared to set these goals, with over half intending to do so in the coming year. The collaborative opportunities provided by the platform were deemed invaluable by 91% of participants, as they encouraged discussions and the sharing of sustainable practices with industry experts and peers.
The impact of textile production on the environment cannot be underestimated. According to a report from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), textile production accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and heavily relies on natural resources and water. Furthermore, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlighted that textile production is the leading cause of microplastic pollution, responsible for a staggering 35% of marine microplastics.
To address these environmental challenges, the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), in collaboration with Fashion Pact and Conservation International, recently launched a new primer. This resource aims to assist the fashion industry in setting measurable and realistic nature-based targets.
The joint efforts of About You, Zalando, and Yoox Net-A-Porter are undoubtedly a positive step towards a more sustainable future for the fashion industry. As the Fashion Leap for Climate initiative enters its second year, the number of brand partners embracing science-based targets continues to rise. About You aims to increase the percentage of partners with such targets to 54.4% in 2022, nearing its goal of 90% by 2025. Similarly, Zalando aims to reach 58% of partners with science-based targets in 2022, aligning with its 90% target for 2025.
David Schneider, Co-chief executive officer of Zalando SE, expressed his satisfaction with the initial progress made by the initiative’s partner brands. He noted the increased confidence they gained in taking climate action as a result of their learning journey. Schneider believes that partnerships like this are the driving force behind progress, as it is through collaboration that long-term impacts become possible.
With the fashion industry facing growing scrutiny for its environmental footprint, initiatives like Fashion Leap for Climate are crucial in driving much-needed change. By providing fashion brands with the tools and knowledge to measure and set science-based targets, this platform has the potential to significantly reduce the industry’s impact on the environment. As more brands join this initiative, the transformative power of collaboration and shared responsibility becomes increasingly evident, creating a path towards a more sustainable future.
