Pandemic an opportunity to make local apparel sector greener: IUCN
„To leverage apparel trade clients’ and consumers’ shift in attitudes during COVID-19 to partner with brands and transform industry „A greener sector to be a win-win proposition for government and industry, other than consumers, employment seekers and pu
Sri Lanka’s apparel sector that is looking to become ‘greener’ in its efforts is presented with the opportunities to do so, according to the suitability experts, as the pandemic has brought about changes that pave the way to transform the sector to become more environment conscious.
As plans are afoot to achieve a ‘greener apparel sector’, the International Union on Conservation of Nature (IUCN) stated that the ongoing COVID19 pandemic has led to changes in the attitudes and behavioural practices of the clients and consumers of apparel trade. The shift could be used as an entry point to join hands with the brands to transform the industry, it said.
“The industry is at a unique juncture in terms of greening to meet the policies of global brands and export markets.
This effort towards a greener sector may prove to be a win-win proposition for the government as well as for the industry, not to mention the consumers, employment seekers and the public at large,” said IUCN Country Director Ananda Mallawatantri while addressing a webinar recently on the road map charted for the local apparel sector to move further in the direction of sustainability.
While the pandemic further highlighted the need to revisit the sustainability aspects of the apparel industry, including the strategies important for Sri Lanka, Mallawatantri stressed that the ‘sustainability’ of the apparel industry relies on the extent and the efficiency in reducing different footprints in global value chains, largely related to water, energy and chemicals, among other things.
As the industry is intricately linked to water and consumes a significant amount of energy based on grid power, which is, in turn, based on fossil fuels, international brands have connected their supply chains to higher standards in reducing emissions and discharges, a global analysis carried out by the IUCN revealed.
Specific markets are contemplating to introduce taxes at the import based on footprints to encourage exporting countries to adopt lower footprints and best practices.
Furthermore, although the larger apparel manufacturers are expected to move in the greener direction with less hiccups, the SMES are expected to struggle in this regard, mostly in financing the effort. This stance was reiterated by Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) Secretary General Tuli Cooray, who asserted that the SMES require utmost support in terms of financing to meet the quality standards.
“The SMES and MSMES need to be taken into the agenda as well. If the SMES are not taken into account, they will never be able to benefit of this very costly and important studies.
So, please explore the possibility of assisting the SME sector as they need support in terms of financing to meet the required standards,” said Cooray.
Sri Lankan apparels contribute about 40 percent to the overall exports of the country and has been successful in adopting innovative strategies that include ‘Garments Without Guilt’, ‘Responsible Fashion’ and ‘Green Buildings’.
Although established as a high-quality, ethical and sustainable manufacturing destination, the POSTCOVID-19 scenario, changing customer priorities combined with developments in the global business pushes the nation and the industry to aggressively follow greening strategies.