British Fashion Council's Institute of Positive Fashion
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020-02 to 2021-08)
Reporting Period: 2020-02 to 2021-08
Environmental Metrics
Waste Generated:Over a million tonnes of clothing every year
ESG Focus Areas
- Circular Economy
- Climate Change
- Social Equity
Environmental Achievements
- Developed a strategic framework for accelerating the transition to a circular fashion ecosystem in the UK, focusing on reducing the volume of new physical clothing, maximizing utilization through product circularity, and optimizing sorting methods and materials recovery.
Social Achievements
- Conducted extensive research involving stakeholder consultations and consumer surveys to understand the needs and preferences of various groups within the fashion ecosystem.
- Highlighted the importance of a just and fair transition to ensure equitable benefits and avoid negative impacts on vulnerable groups.
Governance Achievements
- Established a collaborative framework involving government, industry bodies, and various stakeholders to drive change and implement recommendations.
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- High volume of new clothing purchases in the UK.
- Short garment lifespans.
- Limited domestic recycling infrastructure.
- Inconsistent supply of quality feedstock for recycling.
- Poor commercial viability of recycling technologies.
- Need to change consumer behavior and mindsets.
- Lack of investment in circular businesses and infrastructure.
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed a strategic framework with three target outcomes and ten priority action areas.
- Proposed 30 recommendations for stakeholder action.
- Conducted research to understand consumer behavior and preferences.
- Advocated for government investment in infrastructure and technologies.
- Emphasized the need for collaboration and partnerships across the fashion ecosystem.
- Highlighted the importance of education and awareness campaigns.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Recommendations for using recycled, recyclable, and renewable inputs; designing for reprocessing; and developing a B2B market platform for trade in supply chain textiles and recycled materials.