With around 70% of the fashion industry’s emissions coming from upstream activities such as

production, preparation and processing of materials, international fashion brands are increasingly expecting their suppliers to reduce their environmental impact. This is not least driven by consumers demand for eco-friendly products and legislation requiring transparency of the supply chain.

 

Compliance with these green changes can be challenging for suppliers in the least developed and developing economies. They are often unaware or unable to enhance their environmental

performance. In addition, the COVID-19 unveiled the urgency for MSMEs in these economies not only to mitigate the effects of climate change, but also to build resilience against its consequences, and adapt to them.

While going green is a complex effort, the circular transition can also offer opportunities for fashion suppliers. They can reduce costs by using resources more efficiently and seize opportunities on sustainable markets by better meeting customers’ demands and offering sustainably produced fashion.

However, to succeed, suppliers linked to the fashion industry require support from their business ecosystem. Trade can play a crucial role in making fashion more sustainable by helping them access technology, skills and green markets for their products and services.

 

The session will feature representatives of suppliers, governments, business support organisations and sustainable fashion entrepreneur. Together, they will explore ways to accelerate the green transition of the fashion industry – not only to be good businesses, but also to do good business.

 

The International Trade Centre (ITC), through its GreenToCompete initiative, has a longstanding experience activating MSMEs and their ecosystems organisations in traditional sectors to go green and supporting policymakers to transform trade and investment in a manner conducive to the least developed and developing countries. Taking advantage of the momentum of Pre-COP meetings, ITC is convening different stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and suppliers in the fashion industry to contribute to global environmental targets.