A recent report exposes the British fashion industry’s insufficient action on climate change.
- Only 3.4% of British Fashion Council brands have emissions reduction targets.
- The industry contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions.
- The British Fashion Council is urged to demand stricter climate commitments.
- Five brands stand out with science-based emissions targets.
A recent report highlights a concerning lack of action by the British fashion industry in addressing climate change. Only 3.4% of brands associated with the British Fashion Council have set targets for reducing emissions, underscoring an alarming trend within an industry often seen as innovative.
The campaign group, Collective Fashion Justice (CFJ), points out a glaring disparity: while 44% of British companies have structured plans to mitigate their climate impact, British fashion brands are lagging. The industry is accused of not investing meaningfully in climate action, an expectation that has not been enforced by government policies.
Emma Hakansson, the founding director of CFJ, strongly criticises this inaction, stating that without science-based targets, fashion will continue to harm the planet and risk lives. The report further notes that the fashion and textiles sector is responsible for 12% of global emissions, equating to 2.1 billion metric tons annually, comparable to the emissions of the UK, Germany, and France combined.
Hakansson urges the British Fashion Council to uphold its position as a leader in the creative sector by insisting that its members adopt stringent climate targets. The industry must not only lead on the catwalk but also in addressing climate change, with clear plans on how these goals will be achieved. Currently, brands like Burberry, Mulberry, Kyle Ho, Rixo, and Margaret Howell are exemplars, having set science-based targets.
The report further identifies that 38% of fashion industry emissions are tied to raw material production, particularly from animal-derived materials and synthetic fibres. Hakansson references the IPCC’s call for a one-third reduction in methane emissions, advocating for a significant shift away from these traditional materials to avoid mere ‘green-washing’.
The British fashion industry must urgently advance its climate commitments to maintain its creative leadership.
