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Published every week, the new series charts how businesses and sustainability professionals are working to achieve their 'Mission Possible' across the campaign's five key pillars - energy, resources, infrastructure, mobility and business leadership.
LIVE Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Unlocking innovation in sustainability and energy
Day Two of edie Live saw the second LIVE broadcast of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast, this time focusing on unleashing the power of innovation with industry experts from Heathrow, AB Sugar, Yellow Octopus Fashion and Mitie Energy.
Teemill's closed-loop T-shirts and carbon-neutral cement: The sustainability success stories of the week
As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.
Google and Stella McCartney to launch cloud-based analytics tool for fashion supply chains
Google has partnered with fashion brand Stella McCartney on the first phase of a new machine learning data analytics tool to improve the transparency of the supply chains for the fashion industry.
How Farfetch is uniting designers, retailers and shoppers to create a circular fashion economy
EXCLUSIVE: Digital fashion platform Farfetch has been serious about the circular economy since its foundation. But amid growing demands for more ambitious action on waste, its chief sustainability officer has told edie that the firm now views resale and repair as an "amazing commercial opportunity".
Report: Fashion sector stalling on sustainability progress, with high street giants holding industry back
The global fashion industry's overall efforts to operate more sustainability have slowed by one-third on a year-on-year basis, with actions failing to decouple emissions from the sector's rapid growth in a way that would align with the Paris Agreement's aims.
Fashion Revolution Week: Adidas, Reebok and Patagonia top sector transparency rankings
Sportswear giants Adidas and Reebok and outdoor clothing brand Patagonia have been named as the corporates leading the fashion sector's drive for greater transparency around supply chain activity, in a new ranking of 200 of the industry's largest companies.
Sustainable Business Covered Podcast: Who Made My Clothes? A Fashion Revolution Week special
To mark Fashion Revolution Week 2019, episode 61 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees reporter Sarah George quiz some of the key figures helping to make the fashion sector a more planet-friendly and ethical industry.
Evian unveils refillable device in bid to slash plastic waste
French bottled water company Evian is set to begin trials of a new refillable in-home water appliance next month, in a bid to gauge consumer appetite for lower-plastic alternatives to single-use bottles.
Fashion firms urged to log global supply chains on new digital open-source map
Fashion giant C&A's charitable arm, the C&A Foundation, has teamed up with geospatial technology firm Azavea to develop a new open-source digital map aimed at helping fashion retailers, suppliers and designers to boost their transparency efforts.
The North Face recycles old tents into new designer bag range
Outdoor clothing brand The North Face has partnered with British eco-fashion designer RÆBURN to create a second life for old tents by recycling them into a new accessory range.
ASOS urges fashion sector to take tougher action on modern slavery
Online fashion retailer ASOS is calling on other firms in the sector to take stronger action to eliminate modern slavery from their supply chains, after teaming up with several of its third-party brands to develop a five-point "roadmap".
George at Asda to use recycled plastic bottles in clothing and homeware ranges
Asda's fashion and homeware brand, George, will incorporate recycled plastic bottles in its products, as part of a commitment to only use polyester made from recycled materials by 2025.
UN launches global alliance to combat fast fashion's biggest sustainability challenges
The United Nations (UN) has launched a new alliance aimed at uniting businesses to combat the fashion sector's biggest environmental and social challenges, including waste, carbon emissions and modern slavery.
Fashion industry sourced record amount of sustainable cotton in 2018
Fashion brands and retailers collectively sourced more than one million metric tonnes of sustainably certified cotton through the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) last year, breaking the industry standard operator's record.
Primark launches jeans made with 100% sustainably sourced cotton
Fashion retailer Primark has launched its first range of jeans made with 100% sustainably certified cotton, after expanding its sustainable cotton farming and sourcing scheme.
Landsec launches textile take-back scheme to combat fast-fashion
Property developer Landsec is launching a fashion take-back scheme at one of the UK's largest shopping centres in a bid to encourage consumers to divert used textiles from landfill.
The Sustainability Oscars 2019: Celebrating the best of climate activism
The film awards season reaches its grand finale for 2019 on Sunday in the form of the Oscars. But for those wanting an alternative to "Black Panther," and "A Star Is Born", edie has created a - by no means official - round-up of the best climate-related films and documentaries.
Tax fashion brands to fund circular economy for garments, MPs urge
A group of MPs is calling on the UK Government to introduce policies which would see fashion brands pay a producer responsibility charge of 1p for every garment they produce, in addition to lower rates of tax for companies minimising the environmental footprint of their products.
Asics to host fashion recycling schemes at large-scale sporting events
Asics is set to run a garment recycling scheme across eight of the largest European running events that it sponsors, in a bid to slash its carbon footprint and encourage consumer behaviour change.
Adidas to double production of ocean plastic trainers in 2019
Sportswear giant Adidas has confirmed that it will produce more than twice as many pairs of trainers made using ocean plastic this year than it did in 2018, as consumer demand for products and packaging free from virgin plastic grows.
Business models for UK fashion industry unsustainable, MPs warn
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has today (31 January) criticised major fashion retailers, including Sports Direct, Amazon and Missguided, for "failing to take action" to protect workers and promote environmental sustainability.
Tommy Hilfiger unveils 'world's first' 100% recycled luxury jeans
Global fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger has unveiled plans to launch a range of 100% recycled jeans this spring, in what it claims is a first for the luxury fashion sector.
In numbers: The UK public's attitudes to supply chain practices in the fashion industry
A new survey which examines the UK public's attitudes towards supply chain responsibility within the fashion industry has today (10 January) been published. Here, edie rounds up the key facts and figures.
Adidas and Gap top sustainable fashion supply chain rankings
Companies including Adidas, Gap and Primark have been named as the corporates leading the fashion sector's drive for better human rights practices in supply chains, in a new ranking of 43 of the sector's largest brands.
Meat and dairy, plastics and fashion: edie readers outline key sustainability trends of 2019
With widespread and ferocious opposition to plastics dominating the headlines in 2018, edie asked readers for their views on which sustainability issue would be the next to pique public, policy and corporate attention. Here, we round up your thoughts.
Seven ways businesses are championing CSR this Christmas
With less than a week until Christmas, chances are that many of us will be doing some last-minute gift shopping - and some retailers are using the occasion to make a positive social or environmental impact. Here, edie outlines how seven companies are championing CSR for Christmas 2018.
WRAP: UK fashion industry moving quickly to improve environmental footprint of clothing
The UK's fashion industry is moving at a pace to reduce carbon emissions and water waste within its supply chains, although far slower progress is being made on research efficiency, new research from WRAP has concluded.
Stella McCartney: Policy must encourage businesses to make fashion sustainable
Designer and green activist Stella McCartney has called on policymakers to implement laws which will incentivise big-name fashion brands to shift away from cradle-to-grave models and poor supply chain practices.
H&M holds fair wage summit after criticism of supply chain pay policies
Fashion giant H&M has today (11 December) held a summit to determine how best to ensure all supply chain workers receive a "fair" living wage, following campaigner accusations that it had failed to pay some garment workers enough to keep them above the poverty line.
Kering launches first 'regenerative sourcing' standard for fashion suppliers
Luxury fashion company Kering has launched a fashion industry standard capable of verifying raw materials and finished products as 'regenerative', after partnering with environmental charity The Savory Institute to advocate for 'net-positive' sourcing solutions.
Dozens of big-name fashion brands pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2050
H&M Group, Inditex and adidas are among a group of 31 big-name fashion brands to have signed a new United Nations (UN) charter outlining steps the global fashion sector must take to limit the global temperature increase below 2C.
Palm oil bans, sustainable fashion and edie's 30 Under 30: The top sustainability stories of November 2018
As November comes to a close and we begin to think about putting up our Christmas trees and wrapping our presents, edie rounds up some of the best-read sustainability stories and standout pieces of content from the past 30 days - from Iceland's now-infamous popular palm oil advert to the launch of our exclusive new networking group for young sustainability professionals.
ASOS boss: The circular economy is the only way forward for fashion retailers
Fashion retailers that fail to adopt circular economy principles and encourage consumers to make their clothes last longer will fail to survive in a new era of consumer awareness, ASOS's chief executive Nick Beighton has argued.
Is the fashion industry about to have its 'plastics moment'?
With MPs urging clothing brands to disclose impacts, consumers increasingly protesting "fast fashion" and documentaries on the true cost of cheap garments emerging at a pace, edie explores whether the fashion industry is set to have its "plastics moment".
High-street fashion giants urge viscose suppliers to bolster sustainability
A group of big-name fashion retailers including H&M, ASOS and Inditex are urging their suppliers to take ambitious action to make their viscose processing methods more sustainable, after an investigation found that many were dumping toxic wastewater in waterways and fisheries.
Businesses on London's Bond Street collaborate to slash transport emissions
Businesses operating within one of London's most polluted streets have helped to slash the amount of CO2e and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted by freight vehicles travelling along the street by 76%.
Black Friday is the antithesis of sustainable business, but there's an alternative
It's that time again. Today is Black Friday, the biggest sales event of the year, as Britain's retailers stack high and sell low before Christmas. Sustainable Development Goal 12 (sustainable consumption and production patterns) seems all but forgotten for the time being.
Corporate action on fashion sustainability 'insufficient', MPs warned
A group of environmentally-conscious fashion designers and academics have warned MPs that the current business models used across the fashion industry are unsustainable and that corporate efforts to embed circular economy principles into operations have proved themselves to be "insufficient".
UK fashion retailers and law enforcement agencies to partner on tackling modern slavery
Some of the UK's largest fashion retailers, including John Lewis and Marks & Spencer (M&S), have committed to work with law enforcement bodies to help identify and act on cases of modern slavery in the textiles industry.
Big-name fashion retailers collaborate to fund digital deforestation map
Seven of the world's largest fashion retailers including H&M and Kering have collectively funded the development of a new online tool that allows businesses, investors and customers to track the origin of paper, wood and viscose sourced by corporates.
MPs urge online fashion giants to disclose environmental and social impacts
In letters to five of the UK's largest online-only fashion retailers, including Amazon and ASOS, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has called on brands within the so-called "fast fashion" industry to disclose the full extent of their environmental and social impacts.
Fashion industry 'playing catch-up' with the circular economy, says H&M Foundation
EXCLUSIVE: With reports continuing to reveal the extent of the environmental and social damage being caused by fast-fashion, not-for-profit sustainable development organisation H&M Foundation believes the industry is now on the cusp of a radical sustainability shift towards the circular economy.
P&G joins Circular Economy 100 to accelerate closed-loop transition
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is among four new corporate members of the Circular Economy 100 (CE100), the innovation platform launched by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to accelerate circular economy ambitions.
MPs call on fashion brand chief executives to disclose environmental impacts
In a letter to the chief executives of ten of Britain’s largest fashion retailers, including Primark, Next and Marks and Spencer (M&S), the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has called for big-name fashion brands to disclose the full extent of their environmental and social impacts.
H&M accused of failing to ensure living wage for supply chain workers
Fashion giant H&M has been accused of failing to fulfil a commitment to pay all garment workers enough to keep them above the poverty line, a week after claiming that almost one-million employees are covered by its "fair living wage" approach.
Almost one million garment workers covered by H&M's 'fair living wage' strategy
H&M has revealed that more than 930,000 garment workers located in its supply chain are now covered by a "fair living wage" approach, with 84% of the company's product volume now produced in factories that are improving wage standards and human rights approaches.
Primark expands Sustainable Cotton programme to Pakistan
EXCLUSIVE: Primark has announced it is expanding a sustainable cotton sourcing programme to key suppliers in Pakistan, after more than 4.4 million pairs of pyjamas made with the cotton were sold by the retailer in the UK over the last 12 months.
How London Fashion Week can set the stage for a sector-wide sustainability revolution
The catwalk shows for London Fashion Week may be over, but with the event's annual festival set to begin on Thursday (20 September), critical eyes will focus on the environmental and ethical impacts of fast fashion. Here, edie explores four ways that the show can champion sustainable alternatives.
The North Face expands 'Climate Beneficial' clothing line
Outdoor clothing brand The North Face has expanded its line of carbon "net-negative" products to include scarves and jackets, after successfully designing a "Climate Beneficial" wool beanie earlier this year.
The North Face to offset all emissions from athlete expeditions
Outdoor clothing brand The North Face has committed to offset 100% of the emissions it generates by sending athletes on expeditions as its parent company strives to set a science-based target for emissions reductions.
H&M Foundation opens 'Garment-to-Garment' recycling plant in circular fashion drive
Fashion retailer H&M's charitable arm, the H&M Foundation, has this week opened a hydrothermal textile recycling plant as the company strives to become "truly circular" by 2030.
Burberry to stop burning unsold products as part of resource efficiency drive
Luxury fashion brand Burberry has announced it will stop destroying products deemed unsaleable with immediate effect, just months after it was revealed that the brand had burned more than £28m worth of stock over the past 12 months.
Cradle to Cradle: C&A launches 'world's most circular' jeans
Fashion retailer C&A has this week launched the world's first Gold level Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certified jeans, and is now providing other clothing brands with the tools they need to produce equally sustainable denim garments.
Reebok launches bio-based shoe made from corn and cotton
Sportswear manufacturer Reebok has created its first sports shoe made with 75% plant-based fibres, as it strives to source more sustainable materials for inclusion in its products.
Levi Strauss commits to 100% renewables and science-based targets
After receiving the stamp of approval from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for its carbon reduction aims, fashion brand Levi Strauss has unveiled a revamped sustainability strategy that will see the company commit to sourcing 100% renewable power for its operations by 2025.
The burning question: Can Burberry spark a resource revolution in the fashion industry?
EXCLUSIVE: In contrast to the public uproar over the burning of almost £30m worth of stock, luxury fashion brand Burberry is on a journey to "foster business models" that redefine waste and embed the circular economy into an industry riddled with "fast fashion" discrepancies.
If you think sustainable procurement costs more – you’re doing it wrong
Failure to observe a simple economic principle is at the heart of the myth that sustainable procurement costs more. It shouldn't. But bad procurement will cost you more.
Dirty fashion: Companies criticised over 'damaging' viscose use
Luxury fashion brands and high-street retailers have again been linked with the damaging production of viscose textile fibres, despite some of last year's laggards making notable improvements to sourcing practices.
Luxury sector unites to create roadmap for sustainability
Major luxury firms such as Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Chanel have developed a sustainable roadmap to help the sector address the challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss and rising economic inequality.
Asda joins Microfibre Consortium to reduce environmental impact of clothing
UK supermarket Asda has joined a consortium aimed at understanding how microfibre shedding occurs, in order to implement projects aimed at reducing how much volume seeps into the ocean.
ASOS launches circular fashion training programme
Online fashion retailer ASOS has this week launched a new sustainable fashion training programme for designers, in a bid to minimise the environmental impact of its operations and stock more closed-loop clothing and accessories.
MPs to examine environmental footprint of UK fashion industry
MPs are to investigate the environmental impact of throwaway "fast fashion" in the UK amid growing concerns that the multi-billion pound industry is wasting valuable resources and contributing to climate change.
The North Face Renewed: VF Corporation takes next step into 'new world' of servitisation
EXCLUSIVE: The North Face's recent launch of a refurbished garments service is acknowledgement of a "new world" of corporate business models that will see the brand's owner, VF Corporation, trial a number of closed-loop, service-based models.
C&A Foundation commits more than £1m to circular fashion innovations
C&A Foundation, the corporate foundation affiliated with global fashion retailer C&A, will invest more than £1m (€1.29m) in a string of initiatives aimed at accelerating the industry's transition to a circular economy.
Stella McCartney opens London store with 'purest air in the capital'
Luxury fashion brand Stella McCartney has fitted its new London store with cutting-edge filter technology in a bid to create the capital's cleanest pocket of air.
Big-name clothing brands team up to 'Make Fashion Circular'
Gap, H&M, Nike and Burberry are among the major brands which will lead a new Ellen MacArthur Foundation initiative that aims to help drive a circular fashion industry.
'Label shopping': Is the certification scheme model broken?
Voluntary certification schemes have fiercely denied claims from a new report that that are providing cover for companies that are "destroying the planet", raising questions of whether the abundance of certification offers is watering-down sustainability efforts.
Adidas sold one million pairs of ocean plastic trainers in 2017
Sportswear giant Adidas has revealed that it sold more than one million pairs of trainers made from 95% ocean plastic last year.
Achieving a circular economy: New business guide launched by edie
Organisations looking to accelerate the transition to a circular economy now have access to a comprehensive 'edie explains' guide which breaks down everything there is to know about achieving a zero-waste world.
British retailers linked to polluting supplier factories
Marks & Spencer, H&M and ASOS are among the global companies that have agreed to incorporate new measures into sourcing policies for textile fibres, after a new report linked Tesco, Asda and Next to Asian viscose factories that are polluting the environment and contributing to premature deaths.
Virgin Trains hands over old uniforms to prison in recycling scheme
Prisoners at HMP Northumberland will take part in a recycling initiative which will see old Virgin Trains uniforms transformed into new textiles in a bid to reduce reoffending rates.
Mothercare and Hubbub expand baby clothing redistribution scheme nationwide
A pilot between environmental charity Hubbub and Mothercare to redistribute baby clothing is being expanded nationwide, after more than 20,000 items of clothing were allocated to around 2,000 families last year.
Two serious throwaway culture issues for Theresa May beyond plastic bags
The UK government's new 25 year plan for the environment (25 YEP) leads with the planned extension of the plastic bag tax and the need to tackle plastic waste in what Theresa May calls our "Throwaway Culture".
VF Corporation exploring servitisation to champion circular economy
EXCLUSIVE: Global clothing giant VF Corporation is exploring rental and service-based business models to promote the circular economy to its consumers, as the company pushes ahead with a new corporate strategy that commits to science-based targets and 100% renewable electricity.
Adidas teams up with fashion innovation accelerator
Adidas has joined forces with global initiative Fashion for Good to accelerate sustainable innovation in the apparel supply chain.
H&M launches sportswear range made from recycled polyester
Clothing giant H&M has unveiled a new sportswear collection for women that is predominately made from recycled polyester, bringing the company closer to its goal of becoming truly circular by 2030.
Brands back MEP calls for global ban on animal testing in cosmetics
The announcement that European Parliament will discuss the options for a global ban on animal testing in cosmetics has been welcomed by a host brands, including The Body Shop, which want an international convention on the global ban to be created.
Stella McCartney and Ellen MacArthur present roadmap for circular fashion industry
The sheer scale of textile waste caused by the clothing industry has been laid bare in a damning new report co-launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur and fashion designer Stella McCartney.
Black Friday: An ideal selling point for sustainability-conscious retailers?
Black Friday, which has since birthed its tech-savvy offspring Cyber Monday, is upon us again, but while retailers attend to whip up a frenzy to boost sales some companies are using the commercial event to highlight their commitments to sustainability.
The North Face design wool beanie with carbon 'net-negative' production
The North Face has addressed climate change with the launch of its new wool beanie, with the production said to be carbon "net-negative".
Stella McCartney backs first Life Cycle Assessment for man-made cellulosic fibers
Luxury fashion brand Stella McCartney will be able to better map the environmental impacts of its raw materials, after commissioning the first ever Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for man-made cellulose fiber (MMCF) used in production.
Kering championing 'disruptive' innovations to push towards science-based targets
Luxury fashion group Kering is partnering with "disruptive" new minds to uncover innovations that will help reach ambitious science-based targets, and the firm's chief sustainability officer Marie-Claire Daveu wants to pass these learnings to the sector through an open-sourced approach.
Cradle to Cradle: How C&A is leading the fashion industry's circular transition
EXCLUSIVE: Fashion retailer C&A is driving circularity by selling apparel products made from sustainable cotton, and the Dutch-based firm is eager to bring the rest of the industry on its journey.
The seven buzzwords in responsible retail
Debbie Griffiths offers a round-up of some of the most frequently uttered words from edie's Responsible Retailer conference.
Information overload: Why retailers must finetune sustainability communication
Retailers must be careful not to "bombard" consumers with information, despite heightened external pressures to champion Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues, according to delegates from Kingfisher, H&M and Debenhams.
Keeping up with the customers – why CSR is no longer enough
We are living in an age of information abundance. Consumers are increasingly becoming more demanding and more dubious that brands can keep the promises they make. There is often a sizeable gap between expectation and reality in the products that people buy, and nowhere is this gap more obvious than in the "sustainable" product sector.
Is high street sustainability an oxymoron?
Debbie Griffiths wants to know how responsible retailers can be...
Chemical footprinting 'moves to the mainstream' for big businesses
Companies with more than $670bn in revenue, including Adidas, HP and Walmart, have collectively reduced the use of hazardous chemicals in products by around 416m pounds in the last two years, according to a new report.
TODAY AT 11AM: Tune into edie's free webinar on supply chain ethics
Sustainability and CSR professionals can tune into a live, interactive webinar on Tuesday 25 July, which will discuss how businesses can enhance social sustainability through ethical supply chain management.
Tesco commits to detox chemicals in clothing supply chain
Supermarket heavyweight Tesco has vowed to phase-out toxic chemicals in the supply chain of its F&F clothing line, by signing up to Greenpeace's DETOX campaign.
WRAP's sustainable clothing plan nears water and carbon targets
More than half of the UK clothing market has achieved a collective 10% reduction in carbon emissions through a collaborative involvement with WRAP's Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP), a new report has revealed.
Stella McCartney shines spotlight on ocean waste through Parley partnership
British fashion designer Stella McCartney has announced an extended collaboration with Parley for the Oceans, to support the "fragility" of the oceans and help combat rising marine plastic pollution.
Dirty Fashion: Global retailers vow to respond to 'toxic' supply chain practices
Fashion retailers H&M and Marks and Spencer (M&S) have vowed to implement new supply chain management approaches, after a new report linked some of the world's largest fashion brands with highly-polluting facilities that are producing man-made viscose fibres.
New natural capital metric a 'powerful lever for change', says Kering
EXCLUSIVE: A new natural capital biodiversity metric will act as an "internal change management tool" that allows companies to define and translate what environmental footprints look like in a business context, Kering's head of sustainable sourcing innovation has claimed.
Cotton 2040: Brands unite to develop the business case for sustainable cotton
Brands and retailers including Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Target have teamed with Forum for the Future to convene a new cross-industry initiative aimed at turning sustainable cotton into a mainstream commodity.
Insight and inspiration - a roundup of the latest edie interviews with the experts
EXCLUSIVE: From behaviour change to smart buildings, energy security to driving efficiency at scale, we round up the latest exclusive insight and interviews with sustainability business leaders.
Circular Fibres: Global brands partner to form closed-loop textile project
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) has today (11 May) launched an industry-wide initiative to build a new global textile system based on the principles of the circular economy.
Fashion Revolution Week: Spotlight turns to supplier transparency as reports reveal slow progress
At the start of a week dedicated to generating awareness over sustainability issues in the fashion sector, a flurry of new reports have demanded greater transparency to help improve working conditions and wages in the clothing supply chain.
H&M eyes 'climate positive' status by 2040
International fashion brand H&M has unveiled a new sustainability strategy to become climate positive by 2040 through ambitious closed-loop and renewable targets.
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