Fashion companies commit to carbon neutrality by 2030

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Dec 16, 2019

Fashion brands Patagonia, Allbirds and Ecoalf have joined a group of more than 500 companies in an ambitious pledge to make their greenhouse gas emissions net zero by 2030 —20 years ahead of the 2050 targets set in the Paris Agreement.

The commitment was announced last week in the context of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP25, which drew to a close in Madrid on Friday.

The 500+ B Corp companies, named after the certification that guarantees the highest standards of social and environmental performance, said they will also advocate for meaningful climate action.

The movement is led by B Lab, a nonprofit organisation encouraging the use of business as a force for good.

Beauty companies The Body Shop and Brazil’s Natura have also committed to reducing their carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.

Christopher Davis, international director of sustainability at The Body Shop, commented: “The call for action in response to the climate emergency is getting louder and louder yet we are still seeing global emissions continuing to rise. If we are to stand a chance of
tackling this crisis, we need to work together and we are proud to be joining fellow B Corps across the world in taking action.”

Tim Brown, co-founder and co-CEO of Allbirds, added: "We built Allbirds with the idea that businesses could–and should–play a role in protecting the environment. Any brand, no matter the size, can begin making a difference today by limiting, measuring, offsetting and reducing their carbon footprint. That's why this year we launched the Carbon Fund, a self-imposed carbon tax that funds 100% carbon neutrality through emission-reduction programs. 

Javier Goyeneche, CEO of Ecoalf: “Ecoalf's commitment to the environment and to a brighter future for our planet is woven into the very fabric of our business, starting with the recycled materials we build into every product we make.”

In separate news, Asos announced Monday it will rethink its use of plastics. The fashion business has become a signatory of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which brings together more than 400 companies in a battle against plastic waste.

Among other commitments, Asos said it will take action to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging by 2025, including half of its own-brand packaging. As part of this effort, the online retailer will launch a reusable packaging trial next year. The trial will test a prototype mailing bag Asos has been developing for the past 12 months.