Introducing #GoalsForGood
During our delve into fast fashion over the last few months as part of our #LoveMeForLife campaign we have seen the significant impact fast fashion has on our planet.
The facts (unece.org and un.org):
🌊The fashion industry produces 20 percent of global water waste
🌎 It is responsible for 10 percent of the global carbon emissions
🚜 Cotton farming is responsible for 24 percent of insecticides and 11 percent of pesticides despite using only 3 percent of the world’s arable land
👗 85 percent of textiles are sent to landfills = 21 billion tons a year
🚺 Fast fashion is closely linked to labour, gender and poverty issues. 1 in 6 people in the world works in a fashion related job, and 80 percent of the labour force throughout the supply chain are women.
There is a direct link between the fashion industry and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The SDGs address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.
Let’s take a closer look at the links between the fashion industry and the SDGs;
🔗SDG 1 eradicating poverty -influences the salaries paid to millions of people working in the apparel industry in developing countries
🔗SDG 3 Good health and well being - the health impact of chemicals used in the production process on workers as well as communities affected by the environment pollution
🔗SDG 5 Gender equality - the social dimension of the fashion industry
🔗SDG 6 relates to water pollution, the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, treatment of wastewater and water-use efficiency.
🔗SDG 8 - to promote inclusivity and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. For example improving working conditions for ‘fashion workers’
🔗SDG 11 sustainable cities and communities - looking at the recycling of clothing.
🔗SDG 12 - commits to ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns and is structured over eight targets, addressing the use of natural resources, chemical waste, fossil fuels and the integration of sustainable practices into the production cycles. It also addresses the consumer’s right to be informed so as to be better aware of sustainable development issues – an area almost untouched by the fashion industry.
🔗SDG 13 stresses to ‘take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts’. With textile production generating more greenhouse gas emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined, the fashion industry is a key sector for this SDG.
🔗SDG 14 addresses the issue of marine pollution such as microfibers and microplastics
released into the oceans from washing clothes
🔗SDG 15 restoration of soil quality degraded by cotton production
Over the coming weeks we are going to explore the SDG’s in greater depth, looking at how we can all play our part in making the world a better place for everyone. Join us on our journey! #GoalsForGood