NEW YORK – A new report offers detailed guidance to the apparel industry on how it can benefit from and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Produced by KPMG in partnership with Textile Exchange, the report provides a roadmap for companies looking to realise the SDGs in their industry.
The SDGs are a set of 17 universally agreed-upon goals addressing the top current environmental, social and economic issues. ‘Threading the Needle: Weaving the Sustainable Development Goals into the Textile, Retail and Apparel Industry,’ offers SDG guidance to apparel, retail and textile suppliers, brands and retailers on business considerations and opportunities for shared value, an SDG engagement model, best practices and considerations for top sourcing countries.
“Threading the Needle is an important first step in understanding how existing industry initiatives can advance the 2030 Agenda, including adoption of more sustainable fibres and materials, responsible production and circular business practices,” said La Rhea Pepper, managing director of Textile Exchange.
“The report provides a roadmap for companies seeking to realise the SDGs in their own sector and value chain,” added Anita Whitehead, principal for KPMG’s Development and Exempt Organisations (DEO) practice in the U.S. “The report aims to provide companies with guidance and information that will help prioritise their SDG focus where it can generate the most impact.”
Tricia Carey, director of global business development for Lenzing AG added: “Threading the Needle is an amazing information source for the apparel industry to tackle the global challenges of the SDGs. This valued toolkit supports my discussions with the textile supply chain and apparel brands as a starting point to integrate the SDGs into their sustainability platforms and goals. Collaboration is key for impactful change.”
For additional information, see texileexchange.org/sdgs or textilesforsdgs.org.