INSTITUTE OF POSITIVE FASHION

Communication change must be a driving force in the fashion sector’s climate response if it is to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement, according to a consultation led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This session will explore the future of storytelling to engage audiences, leading with science based information to change behaviours and taking action to encourage sustainable values and aspirations.

Garment longevity can play a useful role in achieving the Paris Agreement goals. Material efficiency is a key contributor to energy efficiency, as well as product care information being readily available to citizens. Different approaches to sharing product care information may be needed over time in response to both market and technological evolutions, setting the task for industry experts to work together to enable and help promote garment longevity, as well as fostering the production of more sustainable products and achieving supply chain transparency for citizens.

There is a fundamental need to establish innovative and scalable solutions for next generation materials, and factor circular principles and fibres into the fashion form of the future. Participants will discuss how this demand can feed into design and product development practices to achieve circular ambitions, including the application of realistic and actionable challenges.

Tackling Scope 3 emissions will be crucial to companies meeting the aims of the Paris Agreement and to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius*. The measurement of these emissions is one of the most challenging and significant parts to understanding one’s true impact. We need to gain a consensus on how to manage Scope 3 emissions – this session will explore the top carbon management strategies.   

*unglobalcompact.org.uk

As the industry moves wholesale to circularity, the role of investment is crucial to unlocking innovation and scaled solutions to enable climate solutions for our industry and on the pathway to 1.5 degrees. What are the keys to unlocking financial flows and investment in order to scale up circularity in the UK? Discover and unpack the reasons behind certain startups attracting investment over others, as well as discussing some of the key obstacles preventing businesses from building momentum and taking action on sustainability, such as securing green finance and forging partnerships with government. 

Management of the waste from the fashion industry continues to be a significant challenge. Moving toward a more circular and regenerative system will take years for the industry. Within this session, participants will look at how the industry can responsibly deal with the excess products to avoid products going into landfill, as well as the role brands will play to implement actionable strategies.