Stella McCartney announces UN charter for Sustainable Fashion, ahead of COP24

Stella McCartney has announced a United Nations charter for Sustainable Fashion ahead of next month’s climate talks at COP24 in Poland.

The eco-friendly fashion designer announced the new partnership with the United Nations at the Voices event at Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire.

The Business of Fashion Voices event is an opportunity to unite trailblazers of the global fashion industry with the big thinkers, entrepreneurs and inspiring people who are shaping the wider world.

The full charter will be launched at COP24 sustainability convention on December 10, detailing 16 commitments to help fashion companies curb the immense damage the industry is having on the planet.

The designer noted the importance of fashion businesses signing on to the commitment for maximum impact.

Stella McCartney said: “Everything is at stake. It’s really about bringing everyone together as an industry, and instead of having a few people talk about it, it's having everyone talk about it and the leaders ... actually taking responsibility, putting our money where our mouth is and making an amazing change together.”

To encourage sustainability within the industry further, Stella has created a new charity, Stella McCartney Cares Green, aimed at empowering students, professionals and businesses to embrace sustainability and ethical practices. It will also work towards influencing policymakers to take action too.

This news follows a warning from a London College of Fashion academic, stating that legislation and government support is needed in the fashion industry surrounding the price of current clothing items being shelled out across the country.

Photograph: Business of Fashion

Interested in learning more about the circular economy? Join us in Katowice for the Sustainable Innovation Forum 2018 alongside COP24 to find out how Jesper Brodin, CEO and Presdient of the IKEA Group, plans to overcome the challenges of transitioning to a circular economy.

Click here for further information.