NEW YORK – Fashion industry trade shows striving to be more sustainable have a new report that can help them on their journey. The recently released reportSustainable Development Report 2022: The Road to 2030 Excerpt from the Sourcing Journal provides valuable information onhow far the apparel industry has come; where the potholes and pitfalls still lie; and how global policies, emerging market data and consumer trends can impact business decisions and operations.
One of the main themes of the report is the importance of collaboration. According to the report, working together with a common goal is the only way to bring about lasting change. Another important point is the importance of circular and regenerative materials.
“As industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint and reduce the environmental harm caused by its processes, tracking and accountability have become paramount. For many, the first step is to establish a baseline and set targets from there. This typically includes Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions reduction targets,” the report says.
To relaunch efforts in sustainable development, the Global Fashion Agenda and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change have formed a new alliance to bring together industry stakeholders to deliver on the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.
Related. EIC announces first online sustainability certification in 2022
Information marketswhich produces fashion events, including MAGIC, COTERIE, PROJECT And SOURCING at MAGICanswers the call. Kelly Helfman, president of Informa Markets Fashion, emphasizes the importance of getting it right. “As fashion industry leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure we are doing our part to support the health of the environment by accelerating education and providing resources for our industry,” she said.
Informa has set ambitious targets over the next five years as part of its FasterForward programme, with the aim of becoming a zero waste and net zero carbon emissions company by 2030. These targets include becoming carbon neutral as a company and across all its products by 2025. In addition, the company is working to embed sustainability into 100% of all its brands by 2025. It will also multiply the positive impact it can create by helping to connect and inform those who struggle to access knowledge and networks.
To help Informa achieve these goals, the company has hired a third-party company, Hey Social Good, to help it review and audit the brands it works with to assess where they are on their sustainability journey. Informa then shares this information with the retailers it works with to show what a brand is doing and what it can do better. “With the help of Hey Social Good, we celebrate the wins, even if they are small, and can really identify the results of certain collections,” Helfman says.
Informa’s commitment takes on added importance in light of criticism of the fashion industry for its pollution. “The fashion industry needs to accelerate its strategies, as manufacturers and brands are among the biggest contributors to negative environmental impact,” Helfman said. “We have a huge responsibility to make a difference and drive change in our industry. We will do this through education, strategic partnerships, transparency, open sharing of information and doing our part to accelerate this process. It’s not just about walking the talk, it’s about talking.”
Contact Kelly Helfman at Kelly.helfman@informa.com