H&M’s latest collection, titled ‘The H&M Innovation Re-Enchantment Design Story,’ is a testament to the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Developed under the Innovation Stories platform, this collection embraces a Sixties-inspired aesthetic while prioritizing more sustainable embellishment techniques.
The collection features hand-worked mini dresses and coordinated sets that exude sparkle, thanks to the use of 100% recycled-content sequins, rhinestones, and beads. By incorporating recycled PET plastic bottles, recycled plastic display shelves, and boxes, H&M has achieved a breakthrough in recycled embellishments. This accomplishment is the result of years of hard work and collaboration between various teams at H&M, and it sets a new standard for future collections.
The design approach of the collection revolves around capturing the enchanting allure of naturally occurring crystals and minerals. Classic and clean silhouettes in precious jewel tones are adorned with dazzling embellishments. The standout pieces include two emerald-green and citrine-yellow mini dresses made from recycled polyester, adorned with sequins crafted from recycled PET plastic bottles, as well as rhinestones and beads derived from recycled plastic shelves and boxes.
Another notable creation is a pearly-white mini dress, which combines a linen-viscose blend sourced from traceable Livaeco by Birla Cellulose™ viscose from certified sustainable forests. Rhinestone-trimmed denim pieces, made from a blend of organic and recycled cotton, offer a streetwise aesthetic to complement the collection.
To complete the lineup, the collection features statement platform shoes made from an organic silk and viscose blend. The shoes incorporate LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose derived from renewable wood sources, further emphasizing H&M’s commitment to sustainability. Additionally, the collection includes bold jewelry in subtly Surrealist shapes, crafted from post-consumer recycled brass.
Ella Soccorsi, the Assortment Designer at H&M, expresses her excitement about this collection, which not only celebrates the wonder of the natural world but also represents a significant milestone in the brand’s journey towards more sustainably sourced embellishments. Over the past eight years, H&M has dedicated efforts to improving the sustainability of their embellishments, and this collection showcases their progress.
Overall, H&M’s Innovation Re-Enchantment Design Story collection seamlessly combines style and sustainability. Through the use of recycled materials and responsible sourcing, the brand continues to push boundaries and set new standards for the fashion industry. By offering dazzling, consciously crafted pieces, H&M invites customers to embrace a more sustainable approach to fashion while experiencing the magic of timeless elegance.
Indian Government Boosts Textile Sustainability
The Indian government, led by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, has announced the formation of an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) taskforce dedicated to the textiles sector. This initiative aims to enhance the credibility of the industry in line with India’s commitment to sustainability. Minister Goyal discussed this development during a recent press briefing, where he also revealed that the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the textile sector is nearing finalization and will soon be presented for higher-level approval.
The newly established ESG taskforce will address environmental, social, and governance issues within the textiles sector. Recognizing the increasing importance of sustainability and the market demand for sustainable products, Minister Goyal noted that exporters are witnessing double the value for sustainable textile products. The taskforce’s objective is to provide suggestions that will assist the textile sector in adopting more sustainable practices and identifying opportunities in the realm of sustainable textiles.
Minister Goyal expressed his enthusiasm for promoting and supporting the textile industry’s growth during a “Chintan Shibir” orbrainstorming session on technical textiles, held in Rajkot. He emphasized that the PLI scheme was a key topic of discussion at the event and expressed confidence in finalizing the scheme’s framework and seeking approval at higher levels in the near future.
Minister Goyal also highlighted the positive implications of reduced Indian yarn exports, stating that it presents opportunities for Indian startups to engage in value addition within the country. He further elaborated on the recently announced seven PM MITRA (Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Park sites. These parks align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the “5Fs”: farm to fiber, fiber to factory, factory to fashion, and fashion to foreign. The parks aim to streamline the scattered approach within the sector by consolidating all aspects of the 5Fs in one location. The selected sites are spread across Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The ministry plans to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with beneficiary states and select master developers through a transparent process.
Minister Goyal emphasized that the PM MITRA Park initiative would contribute to faster development and provide integrated facilities for the 5Fs. This approach aims to reduce logistics costs, increase productivity and production on a large scale, and meet the demands of both domestic and international markets.
Furthermore, Minister Goyal highlighted the growing demand for Indian yarn and finished textile products, both domestically and in export markets. He emphasized the benefits of value addition within India, as producers prefer selling yarn in the Indian market, enabling further processing up to the garment stage. This value addition fosters job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities, making reduced yarn exports a positive outcome for India. The minister also commended the strength and traction observed in India’s readymade garments, finished value-added products, handicrafts, and handlooms sectors, both domestically and internationally.
In a related release, the textiles ministry emphasized Minister Goyal’s call for strengthening certification systems for organiccotton and urged industry participation in promoting organic cotton production among farmers. He reviewed ongoing initiatives in the cotton value chain and proposed the formation of a working group comprising experts, industry representatives, and relevant ministries to develop a detailed plan of action for promoting organic cotton production through a cluster-based approach.
In conclusion, the Indian government’s initiatives in the textiles sector, such as the formation of the ESG taskforce, the finalization of the PLI scheme, and the establishment of PM MITRA Parks, demonstrate a concerted effort to enhance sustainability, boost production, and capitalize on the industry’s potential for growth and job creation.
India’s Climate Impact: Business Sustainability
Climate change is impacting lives in India on a daily basis, as evidenced by the alarming number of deaths attributed to extreme temperatures. This has substantial implications for India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and exacerbates existing poverty rates. As India emerges as a global power and one of the fastest-growing economies, it is crucial to incorporate sustainability into the fabric of its future growth. The good news is that sustainability and profitability can coexist, as recognized by a recent study highlighting the potential of sustainability in unlocking business value.
According to the study conducted by Oxford Economics and SAP, 62% of Indian companies believe that being sustainable and profitable simultaneously is feasible. This shift in mindset within boardrooms across diverse industries indicates a positive sign. Kulmeet Bawa, President and Managing Director of SAP Indian Subcontinent, acknowledges the viability of improving profits while protecting the environment.
While the importance of sustainability is well understood, the study reveals that there is still work to be done in translating sustainability ambitions into concrete actions. Only 17% of respondents have calculated their total organizational carbon input, and a mere 7% are deriving significant value from theirsustainability strategies. To bridge this gap, leveraging technology becomes essential.
SAP emphasizes the role of technology in assisting businesses of all sizes and industries in achieving their sustainability goals. By utilizing technology to gather data, optimize processes, and make informed decisions, organizations can drive transparency, expand sustainable practices, and maximize outcomes. Accurate and insightful data throughout the business value chain is crucial for measuring sustainability and achieving greater value from sustainability initiatives.
Regulatory mandates serve as both drivers and challenges for sustainability initiatives. Around 60% of Indian respondents cited regulatory mandates as the primary drivers of their sustainability strategies. However, excessive focus on compliance alone is not optimal. While compliance is a benefit derived, organizations need to refocus their strategies to achieve greater sustainability value.
Senior leadership plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable transformation within organizations. By engaging with stakeholders and setting clear paths and goals, leaders can ensure sustainability initiatives are acted upon. However, the study reveals that only 22% of businesses incentivize leaders based on sustainability strategy success, and employee participation remains at 52%. Leadership must communicate with key stakeholders and use integrated technologies to measure and track performance, fostering accountability and progress.
Sustainability is intrinsically linked to SAP’s purpose of improving lives and creating a better future. To build a sustainable and resilient future in India, organizations must recognize the potential of sustainability to unlock business value. By embracing technology, fostering leadership engagement, and addressing the gap between ambition and action, India can forge a path towards sustainable development, mitigating the social cost of carbon, and ensuring a prosperous future for all.
Investing in Climate Action: Business Opportunities
Investing in climate action not only helps mitigate risks but also presents significant opportunities for businesses. By incorporating sustainability into their corporate strategies, companies can create a business model that serves both shareholders and stakeholders. Unilever, for example, has made a strong commitment to decarbonize its business and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their Climate Transition Action Plan sets ambitious goals to achieve zero emissions by 2030 and transition to net zero across their value chain by 2039.
Unilever’s decarbonization plan was the first of its kind to be put to a shareholder vote, with an overwhelming 99.6% of investors supporting it. The company recognizes that addressing climate change, nature destruction, and social inequality is essential for fulfilling its fiduciary duty as a global organization. They are actively working with suppliers to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030, transforming global food systems to reduce waste, replacing black carbon with renewable alternatives, and promoting positive beauty and personal care.
Investing in sustainability not only aligns with Unilever’s values but also brings tangible benefits to the business. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing environmental stability, with a significant percentage willing to pay a premium for sustainable and socially responsible products. Unilever’s sustainable practices and commitment to sourcing sustainable ingredients and using recyclable packaging have resonated with consumers. Their sustainability-focused brands now account for more than 50% of the company’s turnover and have delivered substantial growth.
Moreover, sustainability practices are also crucial for attracting and retaining talent. Many job seekers consider environmental sustainability when choosing an employer, and a significant number actively seek roles where they can influence sustainable outcomes. Unilever recognizes that their climate credentials play a vital role in winning the war ontalent, as high-caliber candidates contribute to higher revenue growth and profit margins.
While Unilever is taking significant steps towards sustainability, more businesses need to follow suit, and investors play a crucial role in driving the necessary change. The investment community needs to invest with intent, mobilizing capital to support low-carbon solutions and transition investment portfolios to align with climate goals. Momentum is growing, with large asset owners committing trillions of dollars to climate-related initiatives and setting targets for transitioning their portfolios. Governments are also taking action, with countries like New Zealand enshrining net-zero emissions targets in law and allocating significant funds to address the climate emergency.
However, time is of the essence, and investing as usual will not be sufficient. To rebuild the world in a healthy and sustainable way, a collective effort from investors, governments, NGOs, and businesses is required. Advocacy for business action and policy framework changes is essential to drive the necessary transformations.
By making conscious choices and mobilizing resources, the global community can achieve tangible progress in addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. It is through collaboration and concerted efforts that we can build a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
Prime Minister Modi’s Sustainable Fashion Statement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently made a statement for sustainable clothing by wearing a blue vest made from recycled plastic bottles in Parliament. This act aimed to raise awareness about the need to make conscious choices in everyday life to protect the environment. However, sustainable clothing in India is still largely considered an elite concern, limited to certain designer labels and handmade creations. For the majority of people, fashion is still about affordable retail wear, keeping up with trends, and brand preferences, rather than making conscientious choices about the future of our planet, which is facing resource scarcity.
While the vest worn by Prime Minister Modi showcased the potential of sustainable clothing, the company behind its production, which utilizes fibers and yarn from crushed and melted PET bottles, is yet to establish a strong presence in the mass market or gain brand recall. Nevertheless, their production process significantly conserves water and energy compared to traditional methods. Globally, the fashion industry contributes to 10% of total carbon emissions and is a major polluter, with projections indicating a more than 50% increase in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The industry also consumes a staggering 93 billion cubic meters of water annually. In India, textile manufacturing is identified as one of the most polluting sectors, emitting 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases according to the National Climate Change Journal (2018). Furthermore, the production and use of garments generate substantial amounts of waste, contribute to chemical leaching into water sources, and result in non-biodegradable leftovers accumulating in landfills.
The primary challenge in India is that sustainable fashion often comes with a higher price tag, making it predominantly accessible to those who can afford designer labels or high-end fashion. Sustainable fashion not only involves establishing zero-carbon production and supply chains but also incorporates fair trade practices, ethical labor conditions, support for craftsmanship, and recycling and upcycling initiatives. These factors contribute to increased production costs. Procuring sustainable raw materials such as organic cotton, handloom textiles, recycled fibers, polyesters, or utilizing deadstock incurs additional expenses. Technical interventions to minimize water wastage, emissions, effluents, and the use of organic dyes also add to the cost. Scaling up sustainable fashion businesses becomes challenging due to the high demand, while maintaining a circular economy approach necessitates sophisticated technological processes, which are typically pursued by major fashion houses or sub-brands.
Fashion trends change rapidly with seasons, and the prevalence of fast fashion, which involves mass production, cheap labor, and quick turnarounds, becomes necessary. In India, the boom in e-commerce and widespread smartphone connectivity has further accelerated the speed of fast fashion, contributing to the cultural phenomenon of urbanization and acquisitive consumption behavior. As India’s consumer demographics skew younger, with a significant population under 25, fashion and appearance consciousness increasingly dictate purchasing behavior. A McKinsey report predicts that the number of online fashion shoppers in India will reach 500 million by 2030. Globally, fast fashion has led to clothing being perceived as disposable and seasonal rather than durable goods, resulting in a doubling of clothes consumption from 50 billion garments to 100 billion over the past two decades.
The fashion industry’s credibility in terms of sustainability remains a challenge, both in India and the West. While Copenhagen Fashion Week has begun to set sustainability requirements for designers, major fashion weeks have yet to firmly establish such guidelines. The European Union is currently testing digital passports for sustainable clothing brands, enabling consumers to scan a code on the label and access information about the item’s journey, including water usage and carbon emissions.
India has a long way to go in terms of achieving such circularity. The retail fashion experiment by the Aditya Birla Group, which utilizes natural cellulose fabric, remains an isolated effort. Although one of India’s most successful pret designers, Anita