Decarbonization and circularity: how does the European Green Deal affect fashion?

The European Union intensifies its fight against climate change. Later this week, Brussels will approve the European Green Deal, which aims to implement measures so that Europe is climate-neutral by 2050. Among the proposed measures are decarbonization and circularity, which significantly affect fashion.

“Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is the greatest challenge and opportunity of our times” stated the organization. Driven by Ursula von der Leyen, new president of the European Commission, the project aims to emit less carbon dioxide and eliminate emitted carbon dioxide from the environment.

One of the areas of action of the Green Deal is decarbonization of the energy sector, establishing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move towards low carbon policies, following the commitments of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Green Deal aims to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050

This measure is also shared by the fashion industry in the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, signed a year ago by the giants of the sector and promoted by the United Nations (UN). The document includes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 30% by 2030 and the commitment to analyze and set a decarbonization roadmap for the sector based in the Science Based Targets Initiative methodology.

Another measure of the Green Deal of the European Commission focuses on circular economy. “We propose a green and inclusive transition to help improve people’s well-being and secure a healthy planet for generations to come,” stated the organization.

Fashion is also part of the change. The Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action sets out to take steps towards circularity in the fashion industry and create a dialogue with consumers to promote this model.

At the same time the European Commission has stated other measures to achieve sustainable goals. Security, solidarity and trust of the countries that are part of the union to work together with the goal of diversifying European energy sources. Also, the project includes improving energy efficiency of the European Union and reducing its dependence on energy bills and use, as well as supporting research and innovation in clean and low-carbon energy technologies.