Beginnings of the Charter
Under the auspices of UN Climate Change, fashion stakeholders came together during 2018 to identify ways in which the broader textile, clothing and fashion industry can move towards a holistic commitment to climate action. They created the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action which contains the vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees. The Fashion Industry Charter was thus launched at COP24 in Katowice, Poland, in December 2018 and renewed at COP26 in Glasgow, UK, in November 2021.
The Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action goes beyond previous industry-wide commitments. With the renewed ambition at COP26 for the Charter, emphasis is put on action. Companies should pursue Science Based Targets or 50% absolute reductions and commit to decarbonisation no later than 2050. The Charter provides a plan pointing to key areas of focus in commitments and requires accountability through public reporting and preparation of reduction pathway plans to be submitted to UN Climate Change.
Commitments
The Charter’s primary mission is to drive the fashion industry to net-zero GHG emissions no later than 2050. In addition, signatories commit to key principles on climate action that go beyond industry-wide commitments.
PLEDGE
Pledge at the head-of-organization level to reach (net)-zero GHGs as soon as possible and by 2050 at the latest, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5C.
PLAN
Explain what steps will be taken toward achieving net zero, especially in the short- to medium-term. Plans to be submitted to the UN Climate Change within 12 months of signing.
PROCEED
Take immediate action toward achieving net zero, consistent with delivering interim targets specified. Demonstrate actions that have been taken on an annual basis.
PUBLISH
Commit to report publicly progress against interim and long-term targets at least annually, via CDP.
SCOPES
Cover all emissions, including Scope 3 for businesses and investors where they are material to total emissions and where data availability allows them to be reliably measured, and all territorial emissions for cities and regions.