Read the full Op-Ed “Convening to catalyse change: fashion’s call to embrace climate week” here.

GFA Assembly: 

Global Fashion Agenda hosted the GFA Assembly at Nike NYHQ on 25 September 2024, where fashion executives engaged in action-oriented roundtable discussions covering four key sustainability topics.

Stitching Compliance: EU’s Legislation Impact on US Textiles and Apparel Roundtable

Global Fashion Agenda hosted an insightful discussion on the ripple effects of EU legislation on the US textile and apparel industry. With EU regulations increasingly influencing global markets, the roundtable explored the challenges posed by extraterritorial laws and how US companies are navigating these changes. The conversation highlighted the significant role of leaders like Ursula von der Leyen in shaping policy and addressed potential strategies for the US fashion sector to adapt to the evolving legislative landscape.

Circular Systems for Footwear

In collaboration with Nike, GFA led a roundtable focused on the urgent need for circular systems within the global footwear market, which is projected to produce 24 billion pairs of shoes in 2024, generating revenues of $412.9 billion. The discussion focused on the importance of reducing the use of virgin resources and mitigating climate impacts. Participants reviewed current efforts to promote circularity, discussed interdependencies and system gaps, and identified potential solutions to drive collective action at scale, ensuring that progress is coordinated and impactful.

Strengthening Corporate Accountability to Scale Regenerative Agriculture

In partnership with WBCSD, OP2B, and Textile Exchange, GFA hosted a meeting that focused on the critical role of the agricultural sector in meeting global sustainability targets. Participants discussed how agriculture and land use changes account for about a third of global GHG emissions, with nearly 90% of global deforestation driven by agricultural expansion. The roundtable emphasised the need to strengthen corporate accountability to scale regenerative agriculture, a practice crucial not only for reducing environmental impact but also for supporting the livelihoods of around 80% of the world’s poor who rely on agriculture. The session explored the benefits of regenerative practices for the fashion industry and addressed the challenges and opportunities for scaling these approaches.

Indigenous Partnership Principles for Fashion, Apparel, and Textile Industry

In collaboration with Ralph Lauren, Conservation International, and Textile Exchange, GFA hosted a roundtable that expanded on the Indigenous Partnership Principles launched earlier this year at Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2024. As the sector increasingly recognises the importance of nature and biodiversity within its supply chain, engaging Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IP&LCs) has become crucial. With only 5% of fashion and textile companies currently consulting with IP&LCs as part of their sustainability strategies, this roundtable focused on the next steps toward operationalising the Indigenous Partnership Principles. The session was grounded in case studies and ongoing dialogues, aiming to foster meaningful engagement with IP&LCs in sustainability efforts.

GFA Policy Masterclass: Threads of Pre-Election Policy

GFA in collaboration with Climate Group, Ceres, and E.C.O. Equity, hosted a policy masterclass focusing on the impact of recent legislation, including the California Responsible Textile Recovery bill. The session explored how policy changes are driving sustainability within the fashion industry, with insights from experts such as Yana Garcia, California Secretary for Environmental Protection, and Eric Liedtke, CEO & Founder of UNLESS. The discussion provided valuable perspectives on how the public sector can support fashion brands in creating the infrastructure needed for extended producer responsibility, ultimately fostering a more sustainable future for the industry.

Responsible Fashion Education Roundtable at Parsons School of Design

In collaboration with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Parsons School of Design, GFA hosted a roundtable that addressed the critical role of design schools in shaping the next generation of responsible fashion leaders. The discussion centered on establishing sustainability standards in education, guiding research, curriculum development, and student instruction. By incorporating insights from students, designers, and educators, the session aimed to lay the groundwork for embedding sustainable practices into fashion education, preparing future designers to meet the industry’s evolving sustainability goals.

SDGs in Brazil – UN Global Compact

GFA also participated in the SDGs in Brazil, the world’s largest corporate sustainability event, hosted by the UN Global Compact – Brazil Network. As part of Global Fashion Agenda’s mission to mobilise impact across the fashion ecosystem, CEO Federica Marchionni delivered a keynote speech outlining ‘How Fashion can Transform Ambition to Action’. Her intervention emphasised the growing importance of resource stewardship across fashion’s global value chain and planted the seed for upcoming discussions at COP30, which will take place in Brazil in 2025.