SCS Global Services Applauds Release of New Report by the United Nations Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action
Report Explores Transition to Low Carbon Cotton and Polyester
EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 3, 2021 /3BL Media/ - SCS Global Services (SCS), a global leader in third-party sustainability and climate certification, congratulates the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action (FICCA) for publication last week of its groundbreaking report outlining the processes that contribute to low carbon sources of cotton and polyester. SCS served as the neutral technical lead for the FICCA Raw Material Working Group, which authored the report. The Working Group engaged industry experts and textile and apparel organizations to complete the comprehensive study.
Polyester and cotton are the two primary fibers used in the textile industry, constituting 52% and 23% respectively of the total fiber volume produced globally. This report highlights the production changes that would be needed to align with the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement and move towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
Based on the study’s findings, FICCA and Textile Exchange have launched a 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge seeking commitments to increase recycled polyester content from 14% today to 45% by 2025. Signatories already include adidas, Elevate Textiles, G-Star Raw, H&M, Pidigi, Puma, Sympatex Technologies, Mantis World, House of Baukjen, Bottletop, Reformation, and VF Corporation among others.
“This innovative multi-stakeholder report is a robust foundation for the textile industry to make improvements in using sustainable lower carbon raw materials,” said Stanley Mathuram, SCS Executive Vice President. “Companies can leverage the data to help create their own sustainability targets and prioritize sourcing sustainable raw materials.”
“We need to start at the beginning of the supply chain with the transformation of raw materials. This report, which is the result of a collaboration between SCS and the FICCA’s Raw Material Working Group, provides tangible actions that should be taken now to help the industry to stay within the Paris Agreement’s 1.5˚C pathway,” said Claire Bergkamp, COO at Textile Exchange and Raw Materials Working Group Co-chair.
Read the full FICCA press announcement here, and access the full report here. To learn more about sustainability for apparel and textiles, visit https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/apparel-and-textiles.
About SCS Global Services
Founded in 1984, SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in natural resource management, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, supply chains, climate mitigation and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. For more information, visit www.scsglobalservices.com.
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