The British fashion industry is under scrutiny for its lack of action on climate change, with only a small fraction of brands setting emissions reduction targets.
- A report by Collective Fashion Justice highlights that less than 4% of British Fashion Council members have committed to reducing emissions.
- This shortfall stands in stark contrast to broader British industry, where nearly half have set structured climate impact plans.
- The report underscores the significant environmental impact of the fashion and textiles industry, attributing it a large share of global emissions.
- Prominent voices are urging the industry to adopt meaningful climate targets and move away from harmful materials.
The British fashion industry’s response to climate change is increasingly coming under the microscope. According to the campaign group Collective Fashion Justice, only 3.4% of member brands of the British Fashion Council have published targets to reduce emissions. This finding is part of a broader critique by the group, which suggests that the industry’s commitments to tackling the climate crisis are insufficient.
The report contrasts the fashion industry’s meager commitments with those of British companies in general, of which 44% have adopted structured plans to mitigate their climate impact. This discrepancy highlights a significant gap in the fashion sector’s engagement with sustainability initiatives, a gap that has drawn criticism from climate advocates.
Emma Hakansson, the founding director of Collective Fashion Justice, has voiced her concerns regarding this lack of commitment. She described the industry’s inaction as ‘an embarrassment for an industry that considers itself one of the most creative and innovative in the world.’ Her statement underscores the disconnect between the fashion industry’s public image and its practical steps, or lack thereof, towards sustainability.
The report also points out the extensive environmental footprint of the fashion and textile industry. It accounts for 12% of global emissions, comparable to the combined economies of the UK, Germany, and France. The fashion industry is a powerful economic entity, yet its environmental impact remains a pressing concern that necessitates urgent action.
In response to this challenge, the report calls on the British Fashion Council to demand more concrete climate action from its members. It encourages the Council to provide necessary support for brands to establish and achieve meaningful climate targets. The urgency of this call to action is further emphasized by the impending London Fashion Week, a significant event on the global fashion calendar.
Moreover, the CFJ acknowledges that while the majority of the industry lags behind, a few brands, including Burberry, Mulberry, and others, have implemented science-based emissions reduction targets. This highlights a potential blueprint for other brands to follow.
The report also stresses the importance of shifting away from raw materials with high environmental costs, such as those from ruminant animals and fossil fuels. It echoes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s call to significantly cut methane emissions to deter climate catastrophe. The fashion sector’s reliance on these materials is a critical point of concern in the ongoing discourse on sustainability.
The British fashion industry must accelerate its efforts towards sustainability to truly lead in both creativity and climate action.
