Why, according to Camilla Mjelde – sustainability expert at Trimco Group – 2024 will be the year in which the “must-haves” are replaced by the “nice-to-haves” (and the “don’t-bother-havings!” ) be separated.
The challenges of climate change are drastic and without the incredible technological opportunities that have been developed in recent months and years, it will be difficult to achieve the goals set for the fashion industry in the short term. In the quest for compliance, climate technology has emerged as a game-changer in the apparel industry.
But what is “climate tech”? The term refers to technology solutions that help mitigate and adapt to climate change by improving sustainability across various industries. In the context of fashion, this includes innovations that promote sustainable sourcing, production, distribution and waste management and, most importantly, support documentation within the areas.
Sustainability legislation is constantly evolving. For example, with the upcoming CSRD requirements, fashion companies will have to report much more than just their carbon footprint; In the near future, complete biodiversity must also be included. New draft laws such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the Ecodesign Directive (ESPR) and documentation requirements for the digital product passports that will soon be required must be taken into account when planning the tools required for this. Staying up to date with the latest legislation is a constant challenge and a complex process. As a result, we expect more fashion brands to embrace the latest climate technology, including compliance and traceability tools such as Trimco Group’s ProductDNA®, to meet core requirements on time. With this in mind, 2024 is likely to be the year of technological evolution for the fashion industry.
The main challenge for companies in the fashion industry is to select the right partner from the multitude of new technologies and offerings. Some technology providers concentrate on one area, while others offer the “jack of all trades”. This choice makes it difficult to know how and where to start. The key is to understand what your brand really needs based on current and upcoming legislation and this is where most businesses could benefit from some expert advice.
Camilla Mjelde, Director of Sustainability and Compliance at Trimco Group, works with various sustainability committees and working groups in Europe and has closely observed how climate technology has developed in recent years. Camilla suggests that fashion companies need to clarify four key points before even speaking to potential technology partners:
Know the regulations your brands fall under and therefore need to report on! In the case of CSRD – which currently includes arguably the most extensive documentation requirements – it is crucial to conduct your DMA (dual materiality analysis) to determine what you specifically need to report under the CSRD.
Know your ESG objective so you know what you want to report on
Check in advance what data is already available to you so that you know how much and what support you need from external climate technology partners
And the budget…really important! Be clear about how much you can invest so you can get the most out of your air conditioning tech setup.
Sounds easy, right? Maybe, but the problem is that we are still in an evolutionary process, legislation is constantly being updated and therefore presents us with new challenges almost every day. It is difficult for the fashion industry to always stay up to date with the latest requirements. This is precisely why it is so incredibly important to choose the right partner companies right from the start, otherwise you risk losing a lot of time and budget if you switch to another expert or tool later. Camilla outlines some key factors to keep in mind when looking for a system that aligns with your company’s sustainability goals and operational needs:
Fit: One size does not fit all! Who knows this better than our industry. Different brands have different needs. Choose technology that can be customized to your specific needs. A good tech partner should be willing and able to tailor a package for you.
Compatibility: Make sure the climate tech solution you choose is compatible with your existing technology infrastructure. The integration should be possible smoothly and efficiently.
Flexibility: Can the solution grow with your brand or adapt to changing needs? The dynamic nature of the industry requires adaptability and scope for change.
Reliability and evolution: Choose climate tech providers with a proven track record of providing reliable and effective solutions, who are constantly evolving their offering to stay up to date with the latest legislation and resulting requirements. This is absolutely crucial! Always remember: If the tools you use are not up to date, neither are you.
Expertise: No single system can meet all of our needs, so when selecting service providers it is crucial to look for those who have established collaboration networks and can offer a range of expertise and solutions under one roof. For example, Trimco Group recently partnered with Green Score Capital, a French SaaS company, whose solution specifically covers the directive set by the EU CSRD as well as the product-specific carbon footprint. This partnership provides fashion companies with a comprehensive tool to calculate the impact score of their products, as part of Trimco’s ProductDNA® traceability platform offering.
Conclusion
The fashion industry is at a critical point where sustainability is no longer an option but a necessity. Climate tech paves the way to a hopeful future, enabling fashion brands to minimize negative environmental impacts, meet consumer demands and thereby strengthen their brand image. By properly selecting the climate tech solutions that best fit their goals and compliance requirements, apparel brands can ensure a responsible transition into 2024 and beyond.
Camilla Mjelde is Director of Compliance & Sustainability at Trimco Group. She has been at the forefront of sustainability, compliance and legislation in the textile and footwear sectors for over a decade. Her international recognition as a speaker, consultant and active member of multiple compliance working groups is a testament to her extensive knowledge and commitment to sustainable practices in the fashion and footwear industries.
Trimco Group’s ProductDNA® is a comprehensive and flexible solution that helps brands monitor, document, evaluate and optimize their supply chain – all in one place. Trimco Group’s ProductDNA® is designed to empower brands by supporting green requirements with data, avoiding greenwashing and helping companies prepare for Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiatives.
Meet Camilla Mjelde at Munich Fabric Start on January 23rd. or January 24th, 2024 at our stand H1 E02. We are happy!