Participant countries include Cambodia, Costa Rica, Mongolia, Ecuador, Peru, India, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago.
The project’s goal is to transform the supply chains within their fashion industry. The initiative will focus on fostering regenerative design principles, substituting renewable materials, enhancing production efficiency, encouraging responsible consumption, and improving waste management practices post-consumption.
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Additionally, the programme will draw an extra $295m from various sources to amplify its effectiveness.
GEF CEO and chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodriguez said: “We are proud to support bold leadership in the fashion and construction industries in pursuit of supply chains with fewer dangerous chemicals and lower carbon footprints. The needs here reflect how connected the world’s environmental challenges are, and how the GEF’s integrated approach to addressing pollution, climate change, and nature loss can be transformative — with fast, tangible results at the needed scale.”
The building and apparel sectors are recognised for their substantial chemical usage. Specifically, the construction industry is the primary consumer of chemicals, while textile production averages 0.58kg of chemicals per kilogram of material produced. These sectors are interconnected through complex and extensive global supply chains that significantly impact the environment worldwide.
Traditionally, these industries have concentrated on addressing climate change and preserving biodiversity. However, a comprehensive strategy that also addresses pollution is required to reform the supply chains in fashion and construction—this represents a critical element of tackling the broader environmental crisis.
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By GlobalDataThe new initiative was unveiled in Cambodia and will be coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with other UN agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The programme aims to enhance policies, foster innovation, engage stakeholders more effectively, and improve financing throughout the entire supply chain. It also seeks to involve women, youth, and local communities by incorporating traditional knowledge systems, stimulating local economies, and identifying sustainable materials and methods.
Cambodia Environment Minister said: “Cambodia’s move away from LDC status provides an opportunity to enhance its industrial sectors and ensure a more sustainable economic future. By participating in the programme, Cambodia will not only safeguard the environment and public health but also strengthen its position in the global market, attract foreign investment, and create new economic opportunities for its citizens.”
Furthermore, this programme will bolster cooperation between countries in the southern hemisphere, encourage regional partnerships, prevent negative environmental impacts from being transferred elsewhere, and pivot both fashion and construction towards sustainability.
The projected outcomes include preventing six million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and avoiding 18,750t of hazardous chemicals from polluting ecosystems. It also aims to reduce persistent organic pollutants released into the atmosphere to protect air quality while restoring 825,000 hectares of land and ecosystems. By 2031, it is anticipated that these efforts will positively affect approximately two million individuals globally.
The initiative will seek to innovate at every phase within the fashion sector supply chain. Examples include reimagining carnival attire in Trinidad and Tobago; eco-labelling for fashion in Cambodia; or converting banana pseudo stem waste into valuable fibre in Pakistan.
To align with ongoing efforts and collaborate with partners effectively, a global Programme Advisory Group will be established. This group will consist of senior representatives from government bodies, industry leaders, civil society members, and experts who will offer strategic guidance as well as share insights to expedite sustainable transformations within supply chains.
