Creation of an ESG Association SL.

Announcing the officially forming an ESG Association SL! As a member of this association, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals, contribute to our shared goals, and shape the future of our community.

To help us get started, please take a moment to fill out the attached Google Form. Your information will help us keep in touch, understand your interests, and ensure that our association reflects the needs and aspirations of all its members.
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Protect and conserve the ‘Weoya’ catchment of the Kelani River basin

Hirdaramani Apparel joined hands with Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL) to support their efforts towards its native sapling planting initiative to protect and conserve the ‘Weoya’ catchment of the Kelani River basin. This project will entail the restoration of the ‘Weoya’ catchment area by clearing it and planting 500 native sapling species in carefully chosen locations. As part of the MOU with KVPL, Hirdaramani Apparel will oversee the management of the planting site and support its progress, in line with the company’s Future First Sustainability Roadmap 2025 agenda’s reforestation target.

Synthetics continue to dominate

The production of virgin fossil-based synthetic fibers increased from 67 million tonnes in 2022 to 75 million tonnes in 2023. Polyester remained the most produced fiber globally, accounting for 57% of total fiber production.

Textile Exchange released the 11th edition of its Materials Market Report on 26 September. The report examines global fibre market trends and highlights a continued reliance on virgin fossil-based synthetic materials, their challenges in textile-to-textile recycling, and an increased industry demand for responsible animal fibres. Access the full report here.

Gap Inc. Leads the Charge in Sustainability Through Supplier Engagement in MCAP

Gap Inc. has pledged to reduce its environmental footprint through innovative initiatives and collaborative efforts, such as Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), which accelerates the adoption of science-aligned targets (SATs) and fosters a culture of collaborative sustainability within the consumer goods industry.

Contribute to the Global Textile Policy Dialogue: Showcase Your Policy Efforts for Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain

UNEP seeks to gather insights and perspectives from policymakers on the policy frameworks being implemented by countries to support the transition towards creating sustainable, circular textile value chains. As part of the Global Textiles Policy Dialogue, UNEP, in collaboration with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), are calling for inputs from policymakers to develop case studies on countries’ approaches to develop and implement sustainable textile policies. Access the survey here

Aii’s "Brand Playbook for Financing Decarbonization" 

Aii’s "Brand Playbook for Financing Decarbonization" outlines 12 financial strategies brands can undertake to encourage producers to invest in carbon reduction projects. It provides real-world examples, assessing the risks and benefits of each approach while recognizing the need for tailored strategies across different brands and retailers.

Global Risks Report 2024

The World Economic Forums' Global Risks Report 2024 presents the findings of the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS), which captures insights from nearly 1,500 global experts. The report analyses global risks through three time frames to support decision-makers in balancing current crises and longer-term priorities. Chapter 1 explores the most severe current risks, and those ranked highest by survey respondents, over a two-year period, analysing in depth the three risks that have rapidly accelerated into the top 10 rankings over the two-year horizon. Chapter 2 focuses on the top risks emerging over the next decade against a backdrop of geostrategic, climate, technological and demographic shifts, diving deeper into four specific risk outlooks. The report concludes by considering approaches for addressing complex and non-linear aspects of global risks during this period of global fragmentation. Read the full report

InTex India project

UNEP announces that the Centre For Responsible Business (CRB) India will be the implementing partner of the InTex India project. InTex India is a four-year UNEP project funded by Denmark and implemented in collaboration with the Government of India’s Ministry of Textiles. The project aims to accelerate the transition of the Indian textile sector towards circularity. It will work with Indian brands as well as with textiles manufacturers Surat and Karur (along with adjoining clusters including Salem, Dindigul, Perundurai) to transition to circular practices, including through Life Cycle approaches and Eco-innovation. Read more about InTex India here.

A Manufacturer’s Perspective: Busana Group’s CEO Sunil Shewakramani on Why He Prioritizes Collaboration, Data, and Sustainability

At Busana Group, sustainability is more than just a buzzword — it’s part of our DNA. Our journey toward environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals began back in 1982, long before ESG became an industry staple. It started with a focus on social impact—caring for our people and fostering community development. Over time, this expanded into environmental impact, where we prioritized energy efficiency, automation, and sustainable practices. We’ve always believed in doing good simply because it’s the right thing to do.

Bangladesh holds garment sector climate forum

The Bangladesh Climate Action Forum 2024 which recently concluded in Dhaka was a huge success and surpassed all expectations. Key to the event was the scale in terms of the number of delegates and the quality of the speakers; and the international element, with the event shining a light on Bangladesh and its efforts to take a leadership role on climate issues.

At the forum, significant emphasis was placed on decarbonisation, particularly in renewable energy and industrial processes. The launch of the "Better Mills Initiative" and the OnetrueSOLar Fund reflects Bangladesh's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, especially in garment production, which is a major contributor to global emissions.

Circular Fashion Partnership: Indonesia Launch

Global Fashion Agenda has officially launched the Circular Fashion Partnership: Indonesia, a new initiative that aims to support stakeholders in fostering a circular textile industry in the region. The partnership is in collaboration with Rantai Tekstil Lestari (RTL) Indonesia, supported by implementation partners Reverse Resources, Closed Loop Fashion, and Circle Economy Foundation, and funded by H&M Foundation and private sector contributions. The launch event, ‘Establishing Circular Textile Systems in Indonesia’, gathered over 100 leading experts and stakeholders to discuss best practices for managing textile waste, ensuring traceability and the scaling of domestic recycling capabilities.

Nominations open for Global Change Award

The H&M Foundation today announces a significant shift in its overall strategic direction, with a new mission of promoting just and fair climate solutions for the textile industry, with the innovation challenge Global Change Award being the first initiative to reflect this shift.

Since its launch in 2015, 46 innovations have received support and a combined grant of 8 million euros from the GCA. While it continues to award 10 winners every year, with each receiving 200,000 EUR, there are some key updates to align the award, and its Changemaker Programme, with H&M Foundation’s new strategic focus.

The nomination process for the Global Change Award 2025 opens on 23 October 2024, with winners to be announced in April 2025.

Cascale Publishes Q3 2024 Global Legislative Update: New Worker Protections, Sustainability, and Climate Regulations

The comprehensive quarterly report offers a thorough overview of legislative actions from July to September 2024 affecting the textile and apparel industry across the EU, U.S., Asia, and other key markets. With over 300 leading organizations, Cascale recognizes the importance of staying informed on policy shifts to support sustainable practices and navigate evolving regulations.

The latest update highlights significant regulatory advancements focused on worker protections, environmental sustainability, and climate-related disclosures, with key developments in regions like the U.S., EU, and Asia. These updates emphasize stricter compliance requirements across the industry, particularly in addressing climate change and promoting responsible supply chains.

UKFT releases report on circular UK fashion industry

CFIN was launched in September 2023 to support and guide the creation of a circular fashion ecosystem in the UK by 2032 and is co-chaired by the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) and the British Fashion Council (BFC), in partnership with UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).

Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT, commented: “After a year, we’ve made some real progress and taken practical steps forward, but more importantly, we’ve brought together all parts of the supply chain. This isn’t just about solving the challenges in our sector – it’s also about creating new opportunities for growth, efficiency and sustainability across the whole industry.”

A full version of the report will be released in May 2025.

Understanding EU Climate Law: The Path to Net-Zero by 2050

The EU Climate Law serves as the legal framework to support these efforts, ensuring that we stay on course to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. But what are the key policies underpinning this ambitious transition? In this article, our experts bring you an overview of the EU’s Climate Law, and discuss some of the most critical initiatives developed to shape Europe’s green future.