SDG Storytelling for Sustainability Toolkit
PLUS: Share your thoughts on industry issues in the DBT Committee survey
The United Nations Global Compact Network UK has recently released their SDG Storytelling for Sustainability Toolkit which aims to align impact with purpose, guiding businesses strategically through the many challenges proposed when working towards sustainable practices, incorporating the power of storytelling and narrative with science and data.
With the release of the 2030 Agenda in 2015, it highlights clear actions needed for the people, planet and prosperity with businesses working collaboratively towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and 169 targets working towards a future we all need and strive towards.
However, as stated by the UN many of these goals are failing to be reached, with businesses falling behind. The toolkit explains that the claims of being a sustainable business is not enough alone, that in fact businesses need to incorporate authenticity with more clarity, purpose and honest transparency.
Many brands currently use carbon alone as a way to communicate sustainable goals, however this often fails to reach the target audience causing confusion, lack of understanding and complicated terminology. This is also due to the lack of emotional connection to something tangible such as relating this back to an animal, farmer or livelihood some of the things that are far more familiar to us.
The power of storytelling is extremely provenant in some of the most successful sustainable businesses, this is clear to see in brands such as the Welsh Wool Company and sister company Monkstone Knitwear both owned by Anna Felton.
The Welsh Wool Company showcases full transparency by supplying 100% traceable Welsh wool to the Fashion and Textiles Industry while working collaboratively with some of the most established manufacturers and woollen mills in Wales. By supporting brands they help to facilitate locality, fashion forward thinking and enhancing diversity working successfully across the value chain.
This level of authenticity is clear with images of the sheep, the farmers and the spinning process all clearly accessible on the website. This creates an emotional response and connection far deeper than a percentage or statistic alone, allowing the consumer to connect with the origin of their product.
They also run Pembrokeshire Yarn, a farmers collective which allows each farmer to be showcased and be part of the supply chain by working on a collaboration between farmers and designers. The initiative uses the power of storytelling as a driving factor to success while staying truly honest and transparent to their embedded values.
Monkstone Knitwear works in a similar way using one singular flock of sheep to create small collections all hand made to order. This not only reduces waste but it creates a level of bespokeness, connecting the wearer directly with the sheep making garments sentimental, memorable and loved for years to come.
Although these examples are micro businesses that work towards a slow fashion approach, they clearly highlight the power of narrative when working towards biodiversity concerns, net zero goals and circular economies many of the key areas highlighted in the toolkit. Perhaps there is power in more macro businesses observing these smart business practices to see how the power of storytelling can be used more efficiently to communicate sustainable goals in turn holding more weight, authenticity, clarity and purpose.
Fashion Industry - Submit your evidence to the DBT Committee! Deadline is this Friday, 20th December
Please share your thoughts on the issues and opportunities facing the fashion industry in a quick survey to the Department of Business and Trade Committee. The deadline is this Friday, 20th December.
Please take the survey here and to ensure our industry has more of a voice, please also ask your colleagues and business partners to do so as well.
Whether this is issues around retail, local or global supply chains, or better safeguarding of workers' rights, the committee is keen to have submissions.
At such an important moment it is key to have our voices heard and better represented in government
Fashion Roundtable Library: Wardrobe Crisis: How We Went From Sunday Best to Fast Fashion by Clare Press
Written by close friend of Fashion Roundtable, Clare Press, Wardrobe Crisis is a cornerstone text for anyone passionate about sustainable fashion. First published in 2016, the book remains as relevant today as ever, offering a compelling deep dive into how the fashion industry became the fast-paced, unsustainable system we know today—and how it can change for the better.
Clare Press, a trailblazer in sustainable fashion and Vogue Australia’s first Sustainability Editor, blends history, culture, and activism in this fascinating exploration. From the concept of “Sunday best” to the rise of fast fashion, she examines how our relationship with clothing has evolved and its social and environmental consequences.
This book isn’t just a critique of the industry—it’s a roadmap for change. Packed with stories of innovators and ethical fashion advocates, it’s an inspiring call to action for both consumers and industry insiders. For fashion lovers eager to connect their passion with purpose, Wardrobe Crisis is essential reading.
Clare Press also extends the book’s impact through her acclaimed podcast of the same name, where she continues to explore sustainability, ethics, and activism in fashion, often featuring voices from around the world—including ours at Fashion Roundtable!
Innovation Generation: next steps for social mobility
The Social Mobility Commission has launched their new strategy document, Innovation Generation.
Innovation Generation argues that the traditional approach to social mobility, which focuses on disadvantaged young people’s access to higher education and professional careers, is too narrow. While the expansion of universities has given new opportunities to many, we need to give much more attention to young people who don’t go to university. So we now urgently need to create a strong focus on vocational training - and also on those who have no qualifications at all.
It argues that, to enable real change, we must prioritise the development of an innovative economy - one that embraces enterprise and entrepreneurialism.
A “one size fits all” approach is not sufficient. Given the significant regional disparities across the UK, we need place-based policies which reflect local needs, and which join up skills and employment strategy to ensure that new opportunities are created for all.