The EU regulatory landscape at the intersection of textiles, climate, and sustainability is multifaceted. Buttressed by an intricate web of stakeholders, it encompasses a patchwork of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental protection, circular economy principles, and sustainable production practices within the textile industry. From mandatory regulations to voluntary initiatives, the EU has an expansive array of instruments in its "toolbox" for climate policies for the apparel and footwear sector. While these tools aim to foster and facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile industry, not all mechanisms are created equal. On the cusp of the new mandate, how can policymakers leverage and integrate EU climate policy mechanisms to effectively drive decarbonisation in the textile sector?
Industry’s part in climate change is undeniable; by the same token, they are also an integral part of the solution. There is substantial decarbonisation potential across the value chain, such as raw material processing, energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and circular business models. Existing voluntary efforts by textile and apparel companies have helped steer the industry in the right direction. However, more policy frameworks and standardisation are needed to continue to go in the right direction.
Marking the launch of our latest report “Threads of Change”, the Policy Hub hosted a roundtable discussion in Brussels to unpack our findings and to delineate the obstacles, opportunities and synergies as the EU approaches the new mandate. Uniting policymakers, technical experts, and industry representatives, the discussion offered valuable insights into the gaps to address as well as the layered dimensions to consider when devising solutions. The conversation unearthed three key reflections:
The social, environmental and economic dimensions are intrinsically linked in the transition towards sustainability and decarbonisation of the textile industry. An intersectional approach when discussing climate change is crucial, ensuring that governments and companies adopt tailored solutions aligned with protecting people and the planet.
The intersectional policy dimensions reinforce the call to strengthen cooperation and coordination horizontally and vertically across stakeholders, from national, regional and international bodies and industry to civil society. Stronger together, a synergistic and coordinated approach to decarbonisation benefits the entire value chain, from the cotton grower in India to the end consumer thousands of miles away.
A key element in promoting cross-cutting collaboration and alignment is by promoting data harmonisation and standardised data collection. Standards and metrics are tried and true methods to measure progress and drive solutions: they can guarantee transparency, reliability, and efficacy, helping policymakers and stakeholders make informed decisions on production and consumption practices. They also serve to rebuild trust and confidence among consumers, adding a layer of accountability through corporate reporting and independent evaluation.
What are the obstacles to implementation & accountability?
Frameworks to incentivise companies and consumers require delicate calibration to ensure long-term impact, and to reach the decarbonisation targets. Moving forward, it will be important that the approach adopted does not commit to the lowest common denominator. It’s not enough to encourage companies to simply divest from key production countries with higher risks or impacts; rather, it’s about leading a concerted effort to agree on standards that safeguard human rights and protect the environment.
As we turn our gaze to implementing policies, challenges will naturally emerge to ensure accountability. It is fundamental to take into consideration the complexity of the value chains in the sector, the need for further development and investments in gathering granular data, and to ensure that collaboration within the sector and coherence between the different instruments is the basis of the implementation approach.
What comes next?
Policies play an important role in helping drive consistency and ambition. With so much information and instruments at our fingertips, it’s a matter of wielding them properly. Properly optimised and integrated across the board, the various mechanisms presented in the report can work synergistically to boost and contribute to achieving the EU climate objectives, set the right level of incentives, and address environmental concerns associated with the textile industry.
Looking to the 2024-2029 mandate, the EU has a singular opportunity to leverage its leadership position on the world stage to delineate the roadmap to decarbonising the global textile industry. Steps to achieve this include:
The question of how EU policymakers and industry can work together to foster a coordinated and synergistic approach to decarbonisation efforts continues to evolve in complexity. This roundtable by the Policy Hub offered a fruitful platform to share ideas, reservations, and hopes for the sector moving forward. With issues as complex and imminent as climate change, there's no silver bullet; yet, we are steadfast in our work to ensure the sector maintains its commitment to decarbonisation, to work towards a robust, clean and equitable value chain. An initial building block, this event was just the first in a series over the coming months on topics and issues relevant to our work and the work of our members. We look forward to building on these conversations in the coming days, weeks, and months. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to explore these questions in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.
The EU regulatory landscape at the intersection of textiles, climate, and sustainability is multifaceted. Buttressed by an intricate web of stakeholders, it encompasses a patchwork of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental protection, circular economy principles, and sustainable production practices within the textile industry. From mandatory regulations to voluntary initiatives, the EU has an expansive array of instruments in its "toolbox" for climate policies for the apparel and footwear sector. While these tools aim to foster and facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile industry, not all mechanisms are created equal. On the cusp of the new mandate, how can policymakers leverage and integrate EU climate policy mechanisms to effectively drive decarbonisation in the textile sector?
Industry’s part in climate change is undeniable; by the same token, they are also an integral part of the solution. There is substantial decarbonisation potential across the value chain, such as raw material processing, energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and circular business models. Existing voluntary efforts by textile and apparel companies have helped steer the industry in the right direction. However, more policy frameworks and standardisation are needed to continue to go in the right direction.
Marking the launch of our latest report “Threads of Change”, the Policy Hub hosted a roundtable discussion in Brussels to unpack our findings and to delineate the obstacles, opportunities and synergies as the EU approaches the new mandate. Uniting policymakers, technical experts, and industry representatives, the discussion offered valuable insights into the gaps to address as well as the layered dimensions to consider when devising solutions. The conversation unearthed three key reflections:
The social, environmental and economic dimensions are intrinsically linked in the transition towards sustainability and decarbonisation of the textile industry. An intersectional approach when discussing climate change is crucial, ensuring that governments and companies adopt tailored solutions aligned with protecting people and the planet.
The intersectional policy dimensions reinforce the call to strengthen cooperation and coordination horizontally and vertically across stakeholders, from national, regional and international bodies and industry to civil society. Stronger together, a synergistic and coordinated approach to decarbonisation benefits the entire value chain, from the cotton grower in India to the end consumer thousands of miles away.
A key element in promoting cross-cutting collaboration and alignment is by promoting data harmonisation and standardised data collection. Standards and metrics are tried and true methods to measure progress and drive solutions: they can guarantee transparency, reliability, and efficacy, helping policymakers and stakeholders make informed decisions on production and consumption practices. They also serve to rebuild trust and confidence among consumers, adding a layer of accountability through corporate reporting and independent evaluation.
What are the obstacles to implementation & accountability?
Frameworks to incentivise companies and consumers require delicate calibration to ensure long-term impact, and to reach the decarbonisation targets. Moving forward, it will be important that the approach adopted does not commit to the lowest common denominator. It’s not enough to encourage companies to simply divest from key production countries with higher risks or impacts; rather, it’s about leading a concerted effort to agree on standards that safeguard human rights and protect the environment.
As we turn our gaze to implementing policies, challenges will naturally emerge to ensure accountability. It is fundamental to take into consideration the complexity of the value chains in the sector, the need for further development and investments in gathering granular data, and to ensure that collaboration within the sector and coherence between the different instruments is the basis of the implementation approach.
What comes next?
Policies play an important role in helping drive consistency and ambition. With so much information and instruments at our fingertips, it’s a matter of wielding them properly. Properly optimised and integrated across the board, the various mechanisms presented in the report can work synergistically to boost and contribute to achieving the EU climate objectives, set the right level of incentives, and address environmental concerns associated with the textile industry.
Looking to the 2024-2029 mandate, the EU has a singular opportunity to leverage its leadership position on the world stage to delineate the roadmap to decarbonising the global textile industry. Steps to achieve this include:
The question of how EU policymakers and industry can work together to foster a coordinated and synergistic approach to decarbonisation efforts continues to evolve in complexity. This roundtable by the Policy Hub offered a fruitful platform to share ideas, reservations, and hopes for the sector moving forward. With issues as complex and imminent as climate change, there's no silver bullet; yet, we are steadfast in our work to ensure the sector maintains its commitment to decarbonisation, to work towards a robust, clean and equitable value chain. An initial building block, this event was just the first in a series over the coming months on topics and issues relevant to our work and the work of our members. We look forward to building on these conversations in the coming days, weeks, and months. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to explore these questions in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.
The EU regulatory landscape at the intersection of textiles, climate, and sustainability is multifaceted. Buttressed by an intricate web of stakeholders, it encompasses a patchwork of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental protection, circular economy principles, and sustainable production practices within the textile industry. From mandatory regulations to voluntary initiatives, the EU has an expansive array of instruments in its "toolbox" for climate policies for the apparel and footwear sector. While these tools aim to foster and facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile industry, not all mechanisms are created equal. On the cusp of the new mandate, how can policymakers leverage and integrate EU climate policy mechanisms to effectively drive decarbonisation in the textile sector?
Industry’s part in climate change is undeniable; by the same token, they are also an integral part of the solution. There is substantial decarbonisation potential across the value chain, such as raw material processing, energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and circular business models. Existing voluntary efforts by textile and apparel companies have helped steer the industry in the right direction. However, more policy frameworks and standardisation are needed to continue to go in the right direction.
Marking the launch of our latest report “Threads of Change”, the Policy Hub hosted a roundtable discussion in Brussels to unpack our findings and to delineate the obstacles, opportunities and synergies as the EU approaches the new mandate. Uniting policymakers, technical experts, and industry representatives, the discussion offered valuable insights into the gaps to address as well as the layered dimensions to consider when devising solutions. The conversation unearthed three key reflections:
The social, environmental and economic dimensions are intrinsically linked in the transition towards sustainability and decarbonisation of the textile industry. An intersectional approach when discussing climate change is crucial, ensuring that governments and companies adopt tailored solutions aligned with protecting people and the planet.
The intersectional policy dimensions reinforce the call to strengthen cooperation and coordination horizontally and vertically across stakeholders, from national, regional and international bodies and industry to civil society. Stronger together, a synergistic and coordinated approach to decarbonisation benefits the entire value chain, from the cotton grower in India to the end consumer thousands of miles away.
A key element in promoting cross-cutting collaboration and alignment is by promoting data harmonisation and standardised data collection. Standards and metrics are tried and true methods to measure progress and drive solutions: they can guarantee transparency, reliability, and efficacy, helping policymakers and stakeholders make informed decisions on production and consumption practices. They also serve to rebuild trust and confidence among consumers, adding a layer of accountability through corporate reporting and independent evaluation.
What are the obstacles to implementation & accountability?
Frameworks to incentivise companies and consumers require delicate calibration to ensure long-term impact, and to reach the decarbonisation targets. Moving forward, it will be important that the approach adopted does not commit to the lowest common denominator. It’s not enough to encourage companies to simply divest from key production countries with higher risks or impacts; rather, it’s about leading a concerted effort to agree on standards that safeguard human rights and protect the environment.
As we turn our gaze to implementing policies, challenges will naturally emerge to ensure accountability. It is fundamental to take into consideration the complexity of the value chains in the sector, the need for further development and investments in gathering granular data, and to ensure that collaboration within the sector and coherence between the different instruments is the basis of the implementation approach.
What comes next?
Policies play an important role in helping drive consistency and ambition. With so much information and instruments at our fingertips, it’s a matter of wielding them properly. Properly optimised and integrated across the board, the various mechanisms presented in the report can work synergistically to boost and contribute to achieving the EU climate objectives, set the right level of incentives, and address environmental concerns associated with the textile industry.
Looking to the 2024-2029 mandate, the EU has a singular opportunity to leverage its leadership position on the world stage to delineate the roadmap to decarbonising the global textile industry. Steps to achieve this include:
The question of how EU policymakers and industry can work together to foster a coordinated and synergistic approach to decarbonisation efforts continues to evolve in complexity. This roundtable by the Policy Hub offered a fruitful platform to share ideas, reservations, and hopes for the sector moving forward. With issues as complex and imminent as climate change, there's no silver bullet; yet, we are steadfast in our work to ensure the sector maintains its commitment to decarbonisation, to work towards a robust, clean and equitable value chain. An initial building block, this event was just the first in a series over the coming months on topics and issues relevant to our work and the work of our members. We look forward to building on these conversations in the coming days, weeks, and months. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to explore these questions in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.
The EU regulatory landscape at the intersection of textiles, climate, and sustainability is multifaceted. Buttressed by an intricate web of stakeholders, it encompasses a patchwork of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental protection, circular economy principles, and sustainable production practices within the textile industry. From mandatory regulations to voluntary initiatives, the EU has an expansive array of instruments in its "toolbox" for climate policies for the apparel and footwear sector. While these tools aim to foster and facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile industry, not all mechanisms are created equal. On the cusp of the new mandate, how can policymakers leverage and integrate EU climate policy mechanisms to effectively drive decarbonisation in the textile sector?
Industry’s part in climate change is undeniable; by the same token, they are also an integral part of the solution. There is substantial decarbonisation potential across the value chain, such as raw material processing, energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and circular business models. Existing voluntary efforts by textile and apparel companies have helped steer the industry in the right direction. However, more policy frameworks and standardisation are needed to continue to go in the right direction.
Marking the launch of our latest report “Threads of Change”, the Policy Hub hosted a roundtable discussion in Brussels to unpack our findings and to delineate the obstacles, opportunities and synergies as the EU approaches the new mandate. Uniting policymakers, technical experts, and industry representatives, the discussion offered valuable insights into the gaps to address as well as the layered dimensions to consider when devising solutions. The conversation unearthed three key reflections:
The social, environmental and economic dimensions are intrinsically linked in the transition towards sustainability and decarbonisation of the textile industry. An intersectional approach when discussing climate change is crucial, ensuring that governments and companies adopt tailored solutions aligned with protecting people and the planet.
The intersectional policy dimensions reinforce the call to strengthen cooperation and coordination horizontally and vertically across stakeholders, from national, regional and international bodies and industry to civil society. Stronger together, a synergistic and coordinated approach to decarbonisation benefits the entire value chain, from the cotton grower in India to the end consumer thousands of miles away.
A key element in promoting cross-cutting collaboration and alignment is by promoting data harmonisation and standardised data collection. Standards and metrics are tried and true methods to measure progress and drive solutions: they can guarantee transparency, reliability, and efficacy, helping policymakers and stakeholders make informed decisions on production and consumption practices. They also serve to rebuild trust and confidence among consumers, adding a layer of accountability through corporate reporting and independent evaluation.
What are the obstacles to implementation & accountability?
Frameworks to incentivise companies and consumers require delicate calibration to ensure long-term impact, and to reach the decarbonisation targets. Moving forward, it will be important that the approach adopted does not commit to the lowest common denominator. It’s not enough to encourage companies to simply divest from key production countries with higher risks or impacts; rather, it’s about leading a concerted effort to agree on standards that safeguard human rights and protect the environment.
As we turn our gaze to implementing policies, challenges will naturally emerge to ensure accountability. It is fundamental to take into consideration the complexity of the value chains in the sector, the need for further development and investments in gathering granular data, and to ensure that collaboration within the sector and coherence between the different instruments is the basis of the implementation approach.
What comes next?
Policies play an important role in helping drive consistency and ambition. With so much information and instruments at our fingertips, it’s a matter of wielding them properly. Properly optimised and integrated across the board, the various mechanisms presented in the report can work synergistically to boost and contribute to achieving the EU climate objectives, set the right level of incentives, and address environmental concerns associated with the textile industry.
Looking to the 2024-2029 mandate, the EU has a singular opportunity to leverage its leadership position on the world stage to delineate the roadmap to decarbonising the global textile industry. Steps to achieve this include:
The question of how EU policymakers and industry can work together to foster a coordinated and synergistic approach to decarbonisation efforts continues to evolve in complexity. This roundtable by the Policy Hub offered a fruitful platform to share ideas, reservations, and hopes for the sector moving forward. With issues as complex and imminent as climate change, there's no silver bullet; yet, we are steadfast in our work to ensure the sector maintains its commitment to decarbonisation, to work towards a robust, clean and equitable value chain. An initial building block, this event was just the first in a series over the coming months on topics and issues relevant to our work and the work of our members. We look forward to building on these conversations in the coming days, weeks, and months. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to explore these questions in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.
The EU regulatory landscape at the intersection of textiles, climate, and sustainability is multifaceted. Buttressed by an intricate web of stakeholders, it encompasses a patchwork of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental protection, circular economy principles, and sustainable production practices within the textile industry. From mandatory regulations to voluntary initiatives, the EU has an expansive array of instruments in its "toolbox" for climate policies for the apparel and footwear sector. While these tools aim to foster and facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile industry, not all mechanisms are created equal. On the cusp of the new mandate, how can policymakers leverage and integrate EU climate policy mechanisms to effectively drive decarbonisation in the textile sector?
Industry’s part in climate change is undeniable; by the same token, they are also an integral part of the solution. There is substantial decarbonisation potential across the value chain, such as raw material processing, energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and circular business models. Existing voluntary efforts by textile and apparel companies have helped steer the industry in the right direction. However, more policy frameworks and standardisation are needed to continue to go in the right direction.
Marking the launch of our latest report “Threads of Change”, the Policy Hub hosted a roundtable discussion in Brussels to unpack our findings and to delineate the obstacles, opportunities and synergies as the EU approaches the new mandate. Uniting policymakers, technical experts, and industry representatives, the discussion offered valuable insights into the gaps to address as well as the layered dimensions to consider when devising solutions. The conversation unearthed three key reflections:
The social, environmental and economic dimensions are intrinsically linked in the transition towards sustainability and decarbonisation of the textile industry. An intersectional approach when discussing climate change is crucial, ensuring that governments and companies adopt tailored solutions aligned with protecting people and the planet.
The intersectional policy dimensions reinforce the call to strengthen cooperation and coordination horizontally and vertically across stakeholders, from national, regional and international bodies and industry to civil society. Stronger together, a synergistic and coordinated approach to decarbonisation benefits the entire value chain, from the cotton grower in India to the end consumer thousands of miles away.
A key element in promoting cross-cutting collaboration and alignment is by promoting data harmonisation and standardised data collection. Standards and metrics are tried and true methods to measure progress and drive solutions: they can guarantee transparency, reliability, and efficacy, helping policymakers and stakeholders make informed decisions on production and consumption practices. They also serve to rebuild trust and confidence among consumers, adding a layer of accountability through corporate reporting and independent evaluation.
What are the obstacles to implementation & accountability?
Frameworks to incentivise companies and consumers require delicate calibration to ensure long-term impact, and to reach the decarbonisation targets. Moving forward, it will be important that the approach adopted does not commit to the lowest common denominator. It’s not enough to encourage companies to simply divest from key production countries with higher risks or impacts; rather, it’s about leading a concerted effort to agree on standards that safeguard human rights and protect the environment.
As we turn our gaze to implementing policies, challenges will naturally emerge to ensure accountability. It is fundamental to take into consideration the complexity of the value chains in the sector, the need for further development and investments in gathering granular data, and to ensure that collaboration within the sector and coherence between the different instruments is the basis of the implementation approach.
What comes next?
Policies play an important role in helping drive consistency and ambition. With so much information and instruments at our fingertips, it’s a matter of wielding them properly. Properly optimised and integrated across the board, the various mechanisms presented in the report can work synergistically to boost and contribute to achieving the EU climate objectives, set the right level of incentives, and address environmental concerns associated with the textile industry.
Looking to the 2024-2029 mandate, the EU has a singular opportunity to leverage its leadership position on the world stage to delineate the roadmap to decarbonising the global textile industry. Steps to achieve this include:
The question of how EU policymakers and industry can work together to foster a coordinated and synergistic approach to decarbonisation efforts continues to evolve in complexity. This roundtable by the Policy Hub offered a fruitful platform to share ideas, reservations, and hopes for the sector moving forward. With issues as complex and imminent as climate change, there's no silver bullet; yet, we are steadfast in our work to ensure the sector maintains its commitment to decarbonisation, to work towards a robust, clean and equitable value chain. An initial building block, this event was just the first in a series over the coming months on topics and issues relevant to our work and the work of our members. We look forward to building on these conversations in the coming days, weeks, and months. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to explore these questions in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.
The EU regulatory landscape at the intersection of textiles, climate, and sustainability is multifaceted. Buttressed by an intricate web of stakeholders, it encompasses a patchwork of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental protection, circular economy principles, and sustainable production practices within the textile industry. From mandatory regulations to voluntary initiatives, the EU has an expansive array of instruments in its "toolbox" for climate policies for the apparel and footwear sector. While these tools aim to foster and facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile industry, not all mechanisms are created equal. On the cusp of the new mandate, how can policymakers leverage and integrate EU climate policy mechanisms to effectively drive decarbonisation in the textile sector?
Industry’s part in climate change is undeniable; by the same token, they are also an integral part of the solution. There is substantial decarbonisation potential across the value chain, such as raw material processing, energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and circular business models. Existing voluntary efforts by textile and apparel companies have helped steer the industry in the right direction. However, more policy frameworks and standardisation are needed to continue to go in the right direction.
Marking the launch of our latest report “Threads of Change”, the Policy Hub hosted a roundtable discussion in Brussels to unpack our findings and to delineate the obstacles, opportunities and synergies as the EU approaches the new mandate. Uniting policymakers, technical experts, and industry representatives, the discussion offered valuable insights into the gaps to address as well as the layered dimensions to consider when devising solutions. The conversation unearthed three key reflections:
The social, environmental and economic dimensions are intrinsically linked in the transition towards sustainability and decarbonisation of the textile industry. An intersectional approach when discussing climate change is crucial, ensuring that governments and companies adopt tailored solutions aligned with protecting people and the planet.
The intersectional policy dimensions reinforce the call to strengthen cooperation and coordination horizontally and vertically across stakeholders, from national, regional and international bodies and industry to civil society. Stronger together, a synergistic and coordinated approach to decarbonisation benefits the entire value chain, from the cotton grower in India to the end consumer thousands of miles away.
A key element in promoting cross-cutting collaboration and alignment is by promoting data harmonisation and standardised data collection. Standards and metrics are tried and true methods to measure progress and drive solutions: they can guarantee transparency, reliability, and efficacy, helping policymakers and stakeholders make informed decisions on production and consumption practices. They also serve to rebuild trust and confidence among consumers, adding a layer of accountability through corporate reporting and independent evaluation.
What are the obstacles to implementation & accountability?
Frameworks to incentivise companies and consumers require delicate calibration to ensure long-term impact, and to reach the decarbonisation targets. Moving forward, it will be important that the approach adopted does not commit to the lowest common denominator. It’s not enough to encourage companies to simply divest from key production countries with higher risks or impacts; rather, it’s about leading a concerted effort to agree on standards that safeguard human rights and protect the environment.
As we turn our gaze to implementing policies, challenges will naturally emerge to ensure accountability. It is fundamental to take into consideration the complexity of the value chains in the sector, the need for further development and investments in gathering granular data, and to ensure that collaboration within the sector and coherence between the different instruments is the basis of the implementation approach.
What comes next?
Policies play an important role in helping drive consistency and ambition. With so much information and instruments at our fingertips, it’s a matter of wielding them properly. Properly optimised and integrated across the board, the various mechanisms presented in the report can work synergistically to boost and contribute to achieving the EU climate objectives, set the right level of incentives, and address environmental concerns associated with the textile industry.
Looking to the 2024-2029 mandate, the EU has a singular opportunity to leverage its leadership position on the world stage to delineate the roadmap to decarbonising the global textile industry. Steps to achieve this include:
The question of how EU policymakers and industry can work together to foster a coordinated and synergistic approach to decarbonisation efforts continues to evolve in complexity. This roundtable by the Policy Hub offered a fruitful platform to share ideas, reservations, and hopes for the sector moving forward. With issues as complex and imminent as climate change, there's no silver bullet; yet, we are steadfast in our work to ensure the sector maintains its commitment to decarbonisation, to work towards a robust, clean and equitable value chain. An initial building block, this event was just the first in a series over the coming months on topics and issues relevant to our work and the work of our members. We look forward to building on these conversations in the coming days, weeks, and months. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to explore these questions in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.
The EU regulatory landscape at the intersection of textiles, climate, and sustainability is multifaceted. Buttressed by an intricate web of stakeholders, it encompasses a patchwork of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental protection, circular economy principles, and sustainable production practices within the textile industry. From mandatory regulations to voluntary initiatives, the EU has an expansive array of instruments in its "toolbox" for climate policies for the apparel and footwear sector. While these tools aim to foster and facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile industry, not all mechanisms are created equal. On the cusp of the new mandate, how can policymakers leverage and integrate EU climate policy mechanisms to effectively drive decarbonisation in the textile sector?
Industry’s part in climate change is undeniable; by the same token, they are also an integral part of the solution. There is substantial decarbonisation potential across the value chain, such as raw material processing, energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and circular business models. Existing voluntary efforts by textile and apparel companies have helped steer the industry in the right direction. However, more policy frameworks and standardisation are needed to continue to go in the right direction.
Marking the launch of our latest report “Threads of Change”, the Policy Hub hosted a roundtable discussion in Brussels to unpack our findings and to delineate the obstacles, opportunities and synergies as the EU approaches the new mandate. Uniting policymakers, technical experts, and industry representatives, the discussion offered valuable insights into the gaps to address as well as the layered dimensions to consider when devising solutions. The conversation unearthed three key reflections:
The social, environmental and economic dimensions are intrinsically linked in the transition towards sustainability and decarbonisation of the textile industry. An intersectional approach when discussing climate change is crucial, ensuring that governments and companies adopt tailored solutions aligned with protecting people and the planet.
The intersectional policy dimensions reinforce the call to strengthen cooperation and coordination horizontally and vertically across stakeholders, from national, regional and international bodies and industry to civil society. Stronger together, a synergistic and coordinated approach to decarbonisation benefits the entire value chain, from the cotton grower in India to the end consumer thousands of miles away.
A key element in promoting cross-cutting collaboration and alignment is by promoting data harmonisation and standardised data collection. Standards and metrics are tried and true methods to measure progress and drive solutions: they can guarantee transparency, reliability, and efficacy, helping policymakers and stakeholders make informed decisions on production and consumption practices. They also serve to rebuild trust and confidence among consumers, adding a layer of accountability through corporate reporting and independent evaluation.
What are the obstacles to implementation & accountability?
Frameworks to incentivise companies and consumers require delicate calibration to ensure long-term impact, and to reach the decarbonisation targets. Moving forward, it will be important that the approach adopted does not commit to the lowest common denominator. It’s not enough to encourage companies to simply divest from key production countries with higher risks or impacts; rather, it’s about leading a concerted effort to agree on standards that safeguard human rights and protect the environment.
As we turn our gaze to implementing policies, challenges will naturally emerge to ensure accountability. It is fundamental to take into consideration the complexity of the value chains in the sector, the need for further development and investments in gathering granular data, and to ensure that collaboration within the sector and coherence between the different instruments is the basis of the implementation approach.
What comes next?
Policies play an important role in helping drive consistency and ambition. With so much information and instruments at our fingertips, it’s a matter of wielding them properly. Properly optimised and integrated across the board, the various mechanisms presented in the report can work synergistically to boost and contribute to achieving the EU climate objectives, set the right level of incentives, and address environmental concerns associated with the textile industry.
Looking to the 2024-2029 mandate, the EU has a singular opportunity to leverage its leadership position on the world stage to delineate the roadmap to decarbonising the global textile industry. Steps to achieve this include:
The question of how EU policymakers and industry can work together to foster a coordinated and synergistic approach to decarbonisation efforts continues to evolve in complexity. This roundtable by the Policy Hub offered a fruitful platform to share ideas, reservations, and hopes for the sector moving forward. With issues as complex and imminent as climate change, there's no silver bullet; yet, we are steadfast in our work to ensure the sector maintains its commitment to decarbonisation, to work towards a robust, clean and equitable value chain. An initial building block, this event was just the first in a series over the coming months on topics and issues relevant to our work and the work of our members. We look forward to building on these conversations in the coming days, weeks, and months. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to explore these questions in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.
The EU regulatory landscape at the intersection of textiles, climate, and sustainability is multifaceted. Buttressed by an intricate web of stakeholders, it encompasses a patchwork of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental protection, circular economy principles, and sustainable production practices within the textile industry. From mandatory regulations to voluntary initiatives, the EU has an expansive array of instruments in its "toolbox" for climate policies for the apparel and footwear sector. While these tools aim to foster and facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile industry, not all mechanisms are created equal. On the cusp of the new mandate, how can policymakers leverage and integrate EU climate policy mechanisms to effectively drive decarbonisation in the textile sector?
Industry’s part in climate change is undeniable; by the same token, they are also an integral part of the solution. There is substantial decarbonisation potential across the value chain, such as raw material processing, energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and circular business models. Existing voluntary efforts by textile and apparel companies have helped steer the industry in the right direction. However, more policy frameworks and standardisation are needed to continue to go in the right direction.
Marking the launch of our latest report “Threads of Change”, the Policy Hub hosted a roundtable discussion in Brussels to unpack our findings and to delineate the obstacles, opportunities and synergies as the EU approaches the new mandate. Uniting policymakers, technical experts, and industry representatives, the discussion offered valuable insights into the gaps to address as well as the layered dimensions to consider when devising solutions. The conversation unearthed three key reflections:
The social, environmental and economic dimensions are intrinsically linked in the transition towards sustainability and decarbonisation of the textile industry. An intersectional approach when discussing climate change is crucial, ensuring that governments and companies adopt tailored solutions aligned with protecting people and the planet.
The intersectional policy dimensions reinforce the call to strengthen cooperation and coordination horizontally and vertically across stakeholders, from national, regional and international bodies and industry to civil society. Stronger together, a synergistic and coordinated approach to decarbonisation benefits the entire value chain, from the cotton grower in India to the end consumer thousands of miles away.
A key element in promoting cross-cutting collaboration and alignment is by promoting data harmonisation and standardised data collection. Standards and metrics are tried and true methods to measure progress and drive solutions: they can guarantee transparency, reliability, and efficacy, helping policymakers and stakeholders make informed decisions on production and consumption practices. They also serve to rebuild trust and confidence among consumers, adding a layer of accountability through corporate reporting and independent evaluation.
What are the obstacles to implementation & accountability?
Frameworks to incentivise companies and consumers require delicate calibration to ensure long-term impact, and to reach the decarbonisation targets. Moving forward, it will be important that the approach adopted does not commit to the lowest common denominator. It’s not enough to encourage companies to simply divest from key production countries with higher risks or impacts; rather, it’s about leading a concerted effort to agree on standards that safeguard human rights and protect the environment.
As we turn our gaze to implementing policies, challenges will naturally emerge to ensure accountability. It is fundamental to take into consideration the complexity of the value chains in the sector, the need for further development and investments in gathering granular data, and to ensure that collaboration within the sector and coherence between the different instruments is the basis of the implementation approach.
What comes next?
Policies play an important role in helping drive consistency and ambition. With so much information and instruments at our fingertips, it’s a matter of wielding them properly. Properly optimised and integrated across the board, the various mechanisms presented in the report can work synergistically to boost and contribute to achieving the EU climate objectives, set the right level of incentives, and address environmental concerns associated with the textile industry.
Looking to the 2024-2029 mandate, the EU has a singular opportunity to leverage its leadership position on the world stage to delineate the roadmap to decarbonising the global textile industry. Steps to achieve this include:
The question of how EU policymakers and industry can work together to foster a coordinated and synergistic approach to decarbonisation efforts continues to evolve in complexity. This roundtable by the Policy Hub offered a fruitful platform to share ideas, reservations, and hopes for the sector moving forward. With issues as complex and imminent as climate change, there's no silver bullet; yet, we are steadfast in our work to ensure the sector maintains its commitment to decarbonisation, to work towards a robust, clean and equitable value chain. An initial building block, this event was just the first in a series over the coming months on topics and issues relevant to our work and the work of our members. We look forward to building on these conversations in the coming days, weeks, and months. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to explore these questions in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.
