European cities sign declaration against fast fashion

The mayors of more than 30 cities around the world recently gathered at ChangeNow, a high-profile event focused on solutions for the planet. The aim of the meeting was to draw attention to the harmful effects of fast fashion on their cities and the environment.

Representatives from the ten European cities of Dublin, Paris, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Leuven, Annecy, Bologna, Rzeszów, Terrassa and Turku, representing a combined population of 6.5 million, came together to support the Slow Fashion Declaration. This joint effort seeks to urge the European Union, the G7 and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to enact regulations that level the playing field for slow fashion companies and fast fashion conglomerates.

The statement cites several key goals, including raising public awareness of the social and environmental impacts of fast fashion. In addition, access to production and sales facilities is to be made easier by lowering rents for slow fashion players through public support. Funding for research and innovation in green engineering solutions and local job creation are also highlighted.

The statement calls for financial support for new business models in the fashion sector and encourages a refocusing of grants and loans to support businesses with a positive impact, emphasizing the role of public procurement in nurturing new markets and customers for sustainable businesses.

The textile industry is currently responsible for significant environmental degradation and human rights abuses, ChangeNow said in a statement. The slow fashion movement seeks to counteract these issues by promoting ethical and fair production practices that prioritize environmental sustainability and better working conditions for industry players.

Ambitious regulations on a large scale

In order to achieve its goals, the Slow Fashion Declaration pushes for ambitious regulations at international, European and national levels. At the international and European level, measures such as banning unfair trading practices, supporting manufacturing countries through governance and law enforcement reforms, and banning consumer incentives through fast fashion advertising are proposed.

The statement also cites the introduction of a robust Carbon Limits Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for the textile industry and methods for corporate accountability through an EU directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. Other priorities are the ban on chemicals in the textile industry and the introduction of a European slow fashion seal to inform consumers about the origin and environmental impact of clothing, as well as supporting the cultivation of ecological textile raw materials in Europe.

Barbara Trachte, State Secretary for Economic Transition and Scientific Research in Greater Brussels and initiator of the Slow Fashion Declaration, pointed out the urgent need for action: “We don’t want to wait for more nature and biodiversity to be destroyed. We don’t want another Rana Plaza, nor do we want slow fashion designers and entrepreneurs to go bankrupt. We want a ban on ultra-fast fashion and fair competition rules so we can all be sure that the clothes we wear are made by people who love their work and don’t harm the environment.”

Mayors from various cities, including Rzeszów in Poland, Paris in France and Essen in Germany, reiterated the importance of working together to drive change. They emphasized the importance of local initiatives, the circular economy and the role of national and international standards in shifting production methods and consumer behaviour.

This translated article originally appeared on FashionUnited.uk.

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