The fashion industry, with all its glory and breakthroughs, deeply hurts the planet.
Far from the inspired fashion editorials and stunning fashion shows, the ugly truth is that the industry produces 10 percent of humanity’s carbon emissions, pollutes oceans with microplastics, and consumes an awful lot of water, among other environmental offenses.
A 2017 report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature estimated that 35 percent of all microplastics in the ocean came from washing synthetic textiles such as polyester.
Fashion industry’s total carbon emissions are said to be worse than emissions from international flights and maritime shipping combined. And like a cherry on top of a sundae, a 2017 report estimated that it could jump to 26 percent by 2050 if it continues on its current trajectory.
Hence, fashion giants which own the world’s biggest brands come together to finally address the issue.
Luxury fashion group Capri Holdings Limited recently announced its group-wide corporate social responsibility strategy which aims to net zero emissions and to source 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.
Capri Holdings’ subsidiaries include Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, and Versace.
The report, released on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, builds upon the meaningful initiatives each of the company’s brands has already been working on.
It outlines the company’s global strategy to achieve significant, measurable goals across a range of important environmental and social sustainability issues, including material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, waste reduction, diversity and inclusion, and philanthropic giving.
Capri Holdings has set targets to be 100 percent carbon neutral in its direct operations and to source 100 percent of energy for its owned and operated facilities from renewable sources by 2025.
Building on its net zero carbon emissions commitment, and in an effort to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement, the company will also commit to set emissions reduction targets across its operations and supply chain with the Science Based Targets initiative by 2021.
The company has additionally committed to, and has already been working towards, a number of important initiatives, including: all plastic in packaging to be recyclable, compostable, recycled, or reusable by 2025; 100 percent of point-of-sale packaging materials to be recyclable or sustainably sourced by 2025; partnering with key suppliers to reduce water use.
Other initiatives include traceability of its supply chain; sourcing at least 95 percent of its leather from certified tanneries by 2025; furthering diversity and inclusion within the organization; and supply chain empowerment programs focused on human rights and fair wages.
“We are proud of the actions our company is taking to drive positive environmental and social change within our organization and our world,” enthused John D. Idol, chairman and chief executive of Capri Holdings.
Idol continued, “We recognize that as our company grows, so do our responsibilities, and welcome the opportunity to do more. We believe that sound environmental and social policies are both ethically correct and fiscally responsible. To that end, we are committed to improving the way we work in order to better the world in which we live.”