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Environmental Impact of the Fashion Industry: Solutions for a Sustainable Future


Environmental Impact of the Fashion Industry: Solutions for a Sustainable Future
By: Ekaterina Shevliakova | Environmental Impact of the Fashion Industry| Image: Center for American Studies

The Embassy of the United States of America and the Center for American Studies Discuss Solutions for a Sustainable Future


The Embassy of the United States of America and the Center for American Studies held a conference on “The Environmental Impact of The Fashion Industry and Possible Solutions for A Sustainable Future“. The event was held on Monday, March 27th at the Center for American Studies. Educators, local governmental authorities, and businesses gathered for this importance discussion. The fashion industry and Italian governmental entities are working together on a “green” transformation of the supply chain that is economically and environmentally sustainable. “The fashion industry is very far from the goal of reducing current emissions by 50% by 2030", recalls Amy Myers Jaffe, Professor and Managing Director, Fletcher School Climate Policy Lab, Tufts University – Director, Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, New York University. Furthermore, only one percent of the materials used in the world's fashion industry are recycled. It is estimated that between 9% and 30% of microplastics in the oceans can be traced back to synthetic fabrics. The main culprit is "fast fashion", she explained. Most clothes produced are never even worn by the consumer and the material is wasted and amplifies pollution. A change of course is needed to eventually reform this system and Italian fashion companies and brands need support, Jaffe reiterated during the discussion.

Valeria Mangani, President of the Sustainable Fashion Innovative Society, is convinced of the importance of governmental support. “The government can really help our ‘Made in Italy’ in all this conversion of the supply chain. This has been talked about for many years, but the time has finally come. It is not it's a piece of cake for everyone, especially for smaller companies, but let's say that most will make it and will be helped.”

Companies in the fashion industry have to be encouraged to change their policy and let sustainability become a part of their marketing campaign. As Professor Amy Myers Jaffe mentioned in her interview for Cultural Focus Magazine, it is very important to teach the consumers regarding the fabrics that they buy and wear. Once the consumers understand what the products that companies are selling consists of, then they would opt for sustainable ones.



The Embassy of the United States of America and the Center for American Studies Discuss solutions for a Sustainable Future

Other speakers that participated at the conference at the American studies Center were Mena Merano, CEO of Arav Fashion Group, Laura d’Aprile, Head of Sustainable Change Department at the Ministry of Environment of Italy, Giacomo Vigna, the Director of Made in Italy industry Division, and Nicola Tagliaferro, Head of the Sustainability Division at ENEL X. All speakers stressed the extreme importance of this sustainability for the fashion industry all over the world and the importance on closely working together to improve the supply chain.

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