The textiles industry is one of the largest global industries. It produces around 80 billion garments annually and employs 60 to 75 million people worldwide. 

The current linear system for producing, distributing, and using clothing loses more than $500 billion in value every year due to under-utilized clothes and the lack of recycling. Eliminating today's negative environmental and health impacts from poor chemicals and facilities management would have an estimated economic benefit of $8 billion annually in 2030. 

What are the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the textile value chain? 

What are priority actions to create a circular and sustainable textiles industry?

How can we accelerate the shift to circularity in established brands and producers?

What financial innovations support the development of circular business models, especially for SMEs?

What kinds of policy frameworks enable a shift to circular business models, including incentives for changes in consumer behaviour?

Join us on 20 October (2-3:30pm CET) for the launch of the UN Environment Programme report, Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain: Global Stocktaking, that explores these questions and spotlights existing initiatives to advance sustainability and circularity in textile value chains. 

A panel discussion will feature voices from the fashion industry, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and the Fashionomics Africa initiative, among others.