This follows the Fashion Charter’s publication of a communiqué, signed by more than 70 brands and manufacturers, urging policymakers to speed up a fair clean energy transition.
In the letter, signatories have requested more government support for increased access to renewable energy. They also called for more robust reporting requirements, higher climate targets, and expanded policies on adaptation, with the aim of helping the industry phase out coal and curb emissions.
However, climate groups Action Speaks Louder, Stand.earth, and Fashion Revolution warn that unless these requests are translated into a more targeted advocacy, they are “unlikely” to result in meaningful policy outcomes.
According to the groups, emissions from the fashion sector have continued to rise even after the launch of the Fashion Charter at COP24 seven years ago.
The Apparel Impact Institute reports that industry emissions had reached 944m tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2023. The group estimates that if current business growth continues, emissions could surpass 1.24bn tonnes in 2030.
“Clearly, brands are way off track: to stay within a 1.5°C trajectory,” the groups said, adding that emissions would need to be reduced by at least 45% by the end of this decade to meet this climate goal.
The lack of progress has been attributed by signatories to inadequate mandatory reporting standards, insufficient financing mechanisms, and limited government backing for renewable energy solutions.
Action Speaks Louder fashion campaign manager Ruth MacGilp said: “Even as political headwinds challenge sustainability narratives, fashion brands must double down on climate policy advocacy efforts and invest meaningfully in both climate mitigation and adaptation. Without this, fashion’s future business is at risk, alongside the livelihoods of millions of workers in the supply chain.”
Key actions recommended for fashion industry leaders at COP30
1. Fashion Charter signatories should engage directly with policymakers in key sourcing and consumer countries like China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, and report transparently on their advocacy efforts.
2. The Fashion Charter should require brands to create region-specific transition plans with worker involvement, allocate funding for adaptation, and set clearer fossil fuel phase-out targets.
3. Major brands need to invest in existing supply chain decarbonisation and climate adaptation solutions without delay.
Stand.earth fashion and IT senior corporate climate campaigner Rachel Kitchin said: “This COP, key fashion industry issues like climate adaptation, the needs of communities, and a worker-led just transition are at the forefront of the climate negotiations, and all brands must step up.
“The UN Fashion Charter’s communique shows that the industry knows what the solutions are; brands must pay their fair share by funding and enabling climate action in the supply chain, report transparently on progress, and actively include workers in their transition plans.”
