FICCA Meeting 2023 in Bonn, Germany 

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.

Fashion Industry Charter For Climate Action Commitments

Delivery Mechanism

Convened and facilitated by UN Climate Change, the Signatories and Supporting Organizations of the Charter work collaboratively to deliver on the principles enshrined in the Charter.

This is being done through established Steering Committee and Working Groups, which are responsible for driving the work and success of the initiative. Steering Committee and Working Groups serve as a platform to:

• Support Signatories meet their climate targets, and,
• Help drive long-term industry transformation in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Signatories to the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action are committed to support the implementation of the principles contained in it, both by pursuing the principles within their own organizations and by working collectively with other signatories. Delivery of the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action is through Working Groups, each having a focus on one or more of the principles in the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee decides, with input from Working Group co-chairs and UN Climate Change, on the core staffing requirements of the Charter support team and incorporate those requirements and corresponding funding needs into the planning of the Charter’s work.

Working Groups

The Working Groups provide useful forums to build capacity, discuss on challenges and generate ideas, develop networks and understand the broader context. Currently, the charter structure consists of three working Groups that are led by co-chairs who are nominated and serve a term of two years. These working groups constitute a delivery mechanism of the Charter by identifying and amplifying best practices, strengthening existing efforts, identifying and addressing gaps, facilitating and strengthening collaboration among relevant stakeholders, joining resources, and sharing tools and knowledge to enable the sector to achieve its climate targets.

Participation

Signatories to the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action are committed to support the implementation of the principles contained in it, both by pursuing the principles within their own organizations and by working collectively with other Signatories.

Organizations, also professionally engaged in the fashion sector, that are in a position to substantially contribute to the realization of the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action may also participate in this work. It is recognized that the Supporting Organizations are committed to the principles of the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action but that they may not be in a position to apply and implement all of them within their own organizations.

See here the participating signatories and supporting organizations

Tracking of Commitments

Over the past three years, the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action requested more than 100 signatories to respond to CDP’s Climate Change questionnaire administered through CDP Supply Chain. Each year, signatories who meet the annual scoring deadline are evaluated and assessed based on demonstrated transparency through disclosure, awareness of climate-related risks, environmental management, and environmental leadership reflecting best practice in climate strategy and actions for climate change mitigation.

Compared to an initial response rate of 73% in 2020, 89% of companies were compliant with the Charter in the last reporting cycle (2022), therefore meeting the requirement to respond to the UNFCCC’s CDP request. The 16% increase is a sign of growing transparency among the Fashion Charter industry group.

From 2020 to 2022, there has also been a noticeable increase from 18% to 42% of signatories who reported they have set a measurable 100% renewable energy target for their operations by 2030.

	Fashion Industry Charter For Climate Action Progress Report 2023 This report demonstrates that during the three years of reporting there has been some progress but continuing and extending the reporting coverage must remain a high priority for the Fashion Charter if it’s to ultimately achieve its goals and drive climate action.
	Global Climate Action Portal Explore how signatories of the Fashion Industry Charter are engaging in global climate action.