Breaking the deadlock: delivering a sustainable apparel sector

The apparel sector has been pacesetting in developing strategies, regulations and innovations to develop a sustainable future within the sector. Growing demands from stakeholders and, most importantly, consumers, have been the key driver for this transformation over the past few years. As a 2021 Zalando report highlighted, over 60% of survey respondents expressed transparency to be an important factor when purchasing clothing.

However, there are ongoing challenges brands are faced with in continuing and building on this momentum to bring real impact. Recent research from Planet Tracker says that major apparel brands are failing to report on water-related risks, for example. Know the Chain says that despite strong commitment to stakeholder engagement, human rights and due diligence, the apparel sector is still being reactive on human rights violations rather than developing robust embedded human rights and environment due diligence practices. There is certainly still work to be done.

Policy makers are accelerating progress in introducing reforms and policy developments introducing new rules on green claims, waste management, product traceability and more. In the European Union, there’s a strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, a corporate sustainability reporting directive and the green claims directive. In the US, there’s a climate corporate data accountability act in California, the New York fashion sustainability and social accountability act, and the proposed fabric act legislation at a federal level.

Despite the potential positive long-term outcomes, it is challenging for businesses to be on top of all developments of new legislations and the necessary compliance, and engagement with their suppliers. To understand what some of the incoming regulations worldwide means for apparel brands, strategist and research analyst at Sustainable & Social Amy Nguyen shared a how-to-cope guide for the apparel sector. You can read the full article here.

Regenerative agriculture continues to be a buzzword in many sectors, not least the apparel industry, gaining recognition on its potential for brands to shift their business models and meet their corporate goals. Fashion brands have set ambitions on their route to sourcing nature fibres grown regeneratively. This, however, will need time, space and resources to get right.

Innovation Forum’s Catie Ball interviewed Megah Meiklejohn, senior vice-president of supply chain innovation at Land to Market about what this regenerative transition would mean in practice. They discussed the climate impacts in this transition and addresses the overconsumption problem in the US. You can read the interview article here.

Hearing directly from suppliers and factory workers can help understand the needs to ensure a safe supply chain. Innovation Forum’s Savanna Razzaque curated a factory spotlight series featuring individuals from apparel manufacturers to discuss how they’re ensuring worker protection and safety, especially for women workers. And most importantly, she uncovered how brands can support driving this progress.

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One problem that has been on everyone’s radar for some time is managing post-consumer textile waste. As experts from Quantis shared on the Innovation Forum podcast, there are growing circular economy models within the apparel sector. However, there are inevitably challenges to enable this transition to take place. To get a better picture, Savanna Razzaque conducted a deep dive on the latest in regulations, innovations and challenges in managing the waste problem. Click here to read the article.

Innovation Forum also invited thought leaders within the space to an hour-long session to discuss their challenges in using recycled materials and the role of business in helping to build and scale textile recycling infrastructure. The webinar participants included Nienke Steen from the Cradle-to-Cradle Products Innovation Institute, Anna-Karin Dahlberg at Lindex and Steven Bethell from Bank & Vogue. You can watch the video recording here or listen as a podcast here.

There have been innovations in the textile recycling sector, focusing on the potential of fibre-to-fibre recycling techniques including advanced recycling. Geoff Brighty, head of sustainability at Mura Technology, joined the Innovation Forum podcast recently to discuss the future of advanced recycling in supporting the delivery of a more circular approach to plastic use. Listen to the interview here.

It is apparent now that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for brands to implement sustainable strategies and deliver on their climate goals. Clearly brands and other stakeholders such as NGOs, government and industry leaders will benefit from an exchange of ideas and collectively pulling in efforts to develop a sustainable apparel sector.

Innovation Forum’s sustainable apparel and textiles conferences are returning to Amsterdam and New York City in 2024 to address how brands can adapt to deliver on ambitious commitments and growing stakeholder expectations. Join the conversation with the likes of Zalando, PVH, H&M Group, European Commission, UNEP, New Balance, Mara Hoffman, New York State Assembly and many more.

For full registration details, see below: