DAVOS – Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Denmark represented Global Fashion Agenda at this week’s World Economic Forum annual meeting in Switzerland, where she presented GFA’s CEO Agenda 2019. The document has been developed in collaboration with leading fashion players such as ASOS, BESTSELLER, H&M group, Kering, Li & Fung, Nike, PVH Corp, Sustainable Apparel Coalition and Target. Updated to reflect global developments, it highlights climate change as a core priority.
Explained Eva Kruse (pictured), CEO and president of Global Fashion Agenda: “Climate change is an unprecedented threat to people and the planet. We only have 11 years to rectify the catastrophic impact we’ve had on our planet or we’ll miss the objective of the Paris Agreement to keep global warming below 1.5 degree Celsius. We know that change is not easy, but overall progress is too slow, and we simply can’t afford to lose another year. The fashion industry is one of the world’s largest and most powerful industries. Therefore, we need to take leadership to secure the future of our industry – and our planet.”
Added Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Denmark: “The CEO Agenda is the fashion industry’s contribution in Davos shaping the global sustainability agenda. As one of the most resource intensive industries, it is vital that the industry transforms the way fashion is produced, marketed and consumed. I’m proud to be patron of an organisation that calls for industry collaboration, insisting that the only future for the fashion industry is a sustainable one,”
The CEO Agenda 2019 details eight priorities which it argues should be top of mind for CEOs in fashion right now.
Four core priorities for immediate implementation are supply chain traceability, combating climate change, efficient use of water, energy and chemicals and respectful and secure work environments.
The document also highlights transformational priorities for fundamental change. These are sustainable material mix, circular fashion systems, production of better wage systems and the shift towards the fourth industrial revolution.
Commenting, Mark Parker, CEO Nike said: “We believe that the world needs to urgently work towards creating a sustainable future – one where everyone thrives on a healthy planet and a level-playing field. We are committed to innovating our way into that future, both within Nike and in partnership with others.”
”The fashion industry is going through a transformation that poses many challenges we as an industry need to collaborate on. The transition towards a circular and climate positive business model is key, as is ensuring that the jobs created along our value chains are fair and equal,” added Karl Johan Persson, CEO, H&M group.