Under the auspices of UN Climate Change and in alignment with the Paris Agreement, Schoeller, along with other leaders of the global fashion sector, has agreed to collectively address the climate impact of the fashion industry across its entire value chain by signing the UN Charter for Climate Action.
The Charter contains the vision for the industry to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and the founding signatories have committed to implementing or supporting the 16 principles and targets that underpin the Fashion Climate Charter. Issues that will be addressed by signatories, ranging from decarbonization of the production phase, selection of climate-friendly and sustainable materials, low-carbon transport, and improved consumer dialogue and awareness.
The signatories are not waiting for these issues to be fully elaborated and have set an initial target to reduce their aggregate greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. They have also defined concrete measures, such as phasing out coal-fired boilers or other sources of coal-fired heat and power generation in their own companies and direct suppliers from 2025.
“A focus on sustainability has been mandatory at Schoeller since serving as a founding developer of the Bluesign system and then becoming the very first company to receive the Bluesign award in 2008,” said Siegfried Winkelbeiner, Schoeller CEO. “We are proud to continue that tradition in our 150th year, as we come together with other influential partners in our industry and hope that others will join this important pursuit.”
Other Charter signatories include adidas, Burberry, Esprit, Guess, Gap Inc. Hugo Boss, H&M Group, Inditex, Kering Group, Levi Strauss & Co., Mammut, Puma SE, PVH Corp., Target. 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.
“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.”
By signing on to the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, CEOs and presidents of these organizations have confirmed their commitment to address climate change and their willingness to step up collaboration within and beyond the fashion sector towards a cleaner, low-carbon future. The fashion industry — which encompasses textiles, clothing, leather, and footwear industries, from the production of raw materials and manufacturing of garments, accessories and footwear to their distribution and consumption — has long supply chains and energy intensive production.
