Fashion industry trade policy request

The global apparel and textile industry, which generates over $1.5 trillion in annual revenue and used 109 million tons of fibers in 2020, is actively working to be part of the solution to the climate crisis. Over 50 companies and organizations have joined forces to ask for policy change to incentivize the use of environmentally preferred materials such as organic cotton and recycled fibers.
The request, presented at 26^th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow/UK by global non-profit organization Textile Exchange, O’Donnell, TX/USA, is a practical solution to help the industry achieve its climate goals with an important but often overlooked policy lever: trade policy.
Cost is one of the key barriers faced by companies looking to shift their supply chain towards environmentally preferred materials. Using trade policy to incentivize better practice in materials sourcing is a ground-breaking use of legislation for the industry, working alongside regulations and penalties to promote positive action instead.
The request supports Textile Exchange’s aim to accelerate progress towards its industry goal of a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from textile fiber and material production by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement.