Is Fashion Finally Going Green?

Even if 2019 saw a huge shift towards “GOING GREEN”, fashion remains one of the MOST POLLUTING INDUSTRIES on the planet. How is the textile industry reacting to the CLIMATE CRISIS? What are luxury giants, fast fashion veterans and newcomers doing to change their ways? Here are their plans for 2020

- Ilaria Casati

THE MAJOR PLAYERS COMMIT

Last August, François-Henri Pinault, the president of the Kering Group (which includes brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta), presented the Fashion Pact alongside the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, which aims to put the environment first by reducing the impact of fashion on ecology, biodiversity and the oceans. Carbon neutrality, using 100 per cent renewable energy, and ending single-use plastic by sometime between 2030 and 2050 are a few of the Pact’s ambitions. Many signed in the first hour, including Armani, Hermès, Moncler, Prada, Chanel and Burberry. Fast fashion was there too: H&M, Gap and Zara expressed their commitment. Since then, close to 36 companies, altogether the owners of 250 fashion brands, have set goals to establish more eco-efficient business models that compromise neither profits nor their global market share. One major exception is Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH, who explained that he has already put in motion numerous environmental strategies. The president of the luxury giant explained his group’s progress last September at the Future Life event. From 2013-2018, LVMH reduced its carbon emissions by 16 per cent and it is aiming for 100 per cent certified diamonds in 2020, with total traceability of animal-derived products by 2025. These good intentions are reinforced by the relationship LVMH established recently with Stella McCartney — who became a special consultant for Bernard Arnault on sustainable development — and the nomination of Hélène Valade as director of Environmental Development. On paper, their desire to change is evident, but many NGOs want to know who is verifying these claims.