During World Water Week 2020, many major companies, brands, associations and water stewardship organizations publish Open Letter for sustainability COVID-19 recovery.
The fashion, apparel and textile sector has seen unprecedented disruption to its operations and supply chains. In this situation, thousands of factories and stores have closed and many are now reopening, but millions of workers remain in a precarious position.
Presently H&M, Tchibo, Burberry, PVH, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Primark, as well as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, ZDHC, Alliance for Water Stewardship, CDP and WWF, signed an open letter and Other companies, brands and organizations can still sign up to the Open Letter to add their voices to the call for a more sustainable future for the industry.
The fashion, apparel and textile sector has been hard hit by this pandemic, leaving the livelihoods of millions as well as the future of many companies at risk. As the industry starts to improve it must chart a new course that takes the whole sector in a more sustainable direction,” said Stuart Orr, WWF Global Freshwater Lead.
According to 2015 statistics, the fashion apparel and textile sector was responsible for the consumption of 79 billion cubic meters of water the emission of 1,715 million tons of CO2 and the production of 92 million tons of waste. it is estimated that these numbers will increase by at least 50 percent by 2030, hitting even more pressure on planetary systems – from biodiversity to water to climate – that is already failing.
ILO launched a call to action which aims to catalyze action across the industry to support manufacturers and shield garment workers’ salary, healthiness and employment.
The signatories to the open letter calling for the sector to:
Support and encourage governments to deploy Green Economic Recovery Plans;
Maintain and strengthen corporate sustainability commitments;
Recognize the importance of WASH and pledge action;
Recognize the importance of nature, particularly freshwater ecosystems, in maintaining human wellbeing Increase brand-led sustainability efforts and ensure a role for circularity;
Enhance and strengthen supplier relationships; and
Enhance traceability and transparency;