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A new ISEM study on "Policy, sustainability and innovation in fast fashion and luxury fashion groups".

A paper by Professors Silvia Pérez-Bou and Isabel Cantista analyzes the role of the Sustainable Development Goals development , the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action and the Fashion Pact, in some of the main companies of the fashion industry.

05 | 10 | 2022

The fashion industry has worldwide relevance and its activity also has a global impact. The professors Pérez-Bou y Singer have conducted a study in which they apply the concept of Innovation Systems based on political power, the Education, the business and finance, to the fashion industry. Specifically, the research aims to assess the impact of some initiatives of the political powers on climate change, such as the SDGs or the Fashion Industry Charter; and of others carried out by the business power in partnership with the political power, such as the Fashion Pact or Fashion Pact, which aim to drive corporate innovation in a more sustainable direction. The study analyzes these three initiatives and the impact they have had on the actions of four major fashion groups: Inditex, H&M, Burberry and Kering Group. These groups have been selected because they are signatories to the Fashion Industry Charter and the Fashion Pact, as well as being large in terms of turnover and representing different segments, from the more generalist market to the luxury market, in both apparel and footwear. What do these three initiatives consist of?
  • Sustainable development Goals: these are 17 interconnected global goals designed as a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. The SDGs were established in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by 2030.
  • Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action: At the framework of the December 2018 United Nations Climate Change lecture (COP24 in Katowice, Poland), leading fashion brands, retailers and supplier organizations agreed to collectively address the climate impact of the fashion sector across their entire value chain, with a particular focus on strategies for decarbonization.
  • Fashion Pact: is the first major global coalition of fashion companies (including suppliers and retailers), to tackle environmental objectives core topic in three areas: stopping global warming, recovering biodiversity and protecting the oceans. French President Macron asked the Chairman of group Kering to launch this initiative during the G7 summit in August 2019. It was immediately signed by 32 of the world's leading companies in the sector, and currently welcomes companies that account for more than a third of global turnover.  

The researchers have used a qualitative methodology, thanks to which they have been able to analyze more than 100 documents published by the fashion groups themselves or by the companies and institutions with which they collaborate. A work that has taken them from May 2019 to December 2021. Going into detail about what the research reveals in each group, according to the documents published, in Inditex, for example, sustainability is a central element of its business and has circularity and digitization as pillars. In addition, they address social and environmental aspects through different programs that have been creating social value in their community and also in the industry. H&M is the one that has collaborated with the largest issue of organizations, covering different initiatives: from the promotion of circularity in several of its brands (with rental systems or second-hand sales), to support for textile innovation start-ups, through initiatives with workers or alliances for a more sustainable transport, with Maersk. Burberry in turn is following a double sustainable approach through its Foundation and the brand itself. On the one hand, they contribute to social sustainability by sponsoring organizations focused on equal opportunities and youth Education . Their reports reflect the gender gap in male-female salaries and how they are working to even it out, have started doing carbon neutral fashion shows (offsetting emissions), and have changed their practices to stop burning unsold items. Although they are looking into using more sustainable materials, the Dirty Fashion Report assessed that group was "falling behind" due to their viscose sourcing practices. For its part, the group Kering seeks to be recognized as issue one in sustainability, which it has been working on since 1996. Its sustainability program is based on three pillars: "Caring for the Planet" (environmental), "Collaborating with People" (social) and "Creating new business models" (economic). As a driver of the Fashion Pact, the company is working with other companies, leading changes in the industry. Within one year of its signature, 80% of the companies had incorporated strategies and practices (increased use of renewable energy, reduction of GHG emissions, new materials, etc.). The conclusion of this study is that, when analyzing the information on sustainability prepared by companies, the aforementioned documents (SDGs, UN Fashion Charter and Fashion Pact) play an essential role in both the practices they develop and the strategies they propose. To achieve the objectives, partnership with other institutions and companies is necessary. In final, these international policy initiatives have positively influenced the fashion groups studied. Therefore, two of the commonly recognized drivers for Innovation Systems (political and business power) are also effective when creating synergies in innovation for sustainability in fashion.   

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