On 5 December 2024, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) and the Embassy of Ireland in Denmark hosted an insightful event, The Sustainable Textiles Landscape in the 2024-2029 EU Mandate, at the Irish Embassy in Copenhagen. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape for textiles within the European Union.

The discussion was inaugurated by H.E. Ms. Elizabeth McCullough, Ambassador of Ireland to Denmark, followed by opening remarks from GFA CEO Federica Marchionni, who underscored the urgency of aligning legislative ambitions with the climate and biodiversity crises. Virginijus Sinkevičius, former European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, reflected on the legacy of his term, emphasising the transformative potential of the EU Green Deal to shift from a linear economy to one rooted in circularity and resource efficiency.

“Scaling up the shift to circularity offers a recipe for sustainability that protects resources, strengthens supply chains, and benefits consumers while addressing the planet’s needs.” – Virginijus Sinkevičius, MEP and former European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries

Lars Fogh Mortensen from the European Environment Agency delivered a stark analysis of the textile sector’s environmental footprint, noting its position as the sixth-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with 70% of emissions occurring outside the EU. This externalisation, he warned, often obscures the full environmental cost in national climate strategies. His insights underscored the need for a more comprehensive approach to align the industry with the EU’s Green Deal goals.

The discussion delved into legislative tools critical for advancing circularity and transparency in textile supply chains, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the Green Claims Directive, and the Digital Product Passport (DPP). While the DPP was highlighted as a key enabler of traceability, panelists also addressed challenges such as compliance costs, data standardisation, and the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on a global scale.

Shahidul Karim, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Denmark, provided a global perspective by showcasing Bangladesh’s innovative approaches to sustainable textiles. He emphasised international collaboration as essential for ensuring equitable progress. Similarly, Lea Wermelin, Member of the Danish Parliament, stressed the importance of maintaining momentum in a shifting global context, remarking that collective commitment from industry, policymakers, and consumers is essential.

The event concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to prepare for impending regulatory changes by actively participating in consultations, embracing tools like the ESPR and DPP, and fostering deeper collaboration between policymakers and industry leaders. As Federica Marchionni aptly put it, achieving a sustainable and circular textile future requires unified efforts, proactive engagement, and unwavering collaboration.