Why COP 28 has increased our climate anxiety and what we're focused on for the NY
Video shows the words climate anxiety in pink, against a moving white thread, with the words ‘let’s talk about’.
The annual United Nations Climate Change conference, Cop28, took place in Dubai over the last few weeks. However, the outcomes to this looks once again to disappoint, as the initial commitment to phase out fossil fuels forced the conference into overtime as countries remained divided.
Many nations have joined in criticising the initial draft of the deal for failing to phase-out fossil fuels despite scientists citing this for a long time as a primary driver of climate change.
On reflection, Cop27 had a similar outcome where fossil fuels were concerned, and countries also failed to commit to anything in terms of gas and oil as a collective.
Despite more than 130 countries and scientists pushing for this, the agreement did not include an explicit commitment to phase out fossil fuels and there was also a lack of language around phasing down the fossil fuels.
For many, this has been only aggravated a feeling of climate anxiety and helplessness, as those we’ve speaking to who have attended felt empowered at the event and less so on the agreements reached.
Fashion as a tool for change
By its very nature, fashion is a transformative tool. Yes, it goes some way to prop up the ‘growth-growth-growth’ and linear paradigm, but there are also many that are already working sustainably in the sector and this needs to be our focus.
Whether this is a focus on localism with brands such as Herd founded by Ruth Rands working within a 150 mile radius; or those focused on provenance like designer Alice V Robinson and her collection for the V&A and subsequent book ‘Field Fork Fashion’.
This year we’ve interviewed a number of fashion advocates, from Alden Wicker about her uncovering the toxicity of fashion and her book ‘To Dye For’ to Rachel Arthur and her authorship of the ‘The Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook’ for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). To Vintage-Queen-Powerhouse Bay Garnett on her revolutionary #SecondhandSeptember campaign with Oxfam and new book; as well as inclusion and adaptive fashion specialist Victoria Jenkins who founded Unhidden.
Our podcast has been full with inspiration and transformative individuals affecting change within our wonderful sector.
Creative Wellbeing Economy
Last month, we launched our Creative Wellbeing Economy paper. This is the first time we have launched a living document, meaning that the paper will continue to evolve over time.
The Creative Wellbeing Economy places people and planet in an interwoven symbiotic relationship: revaluing locality, creativity, and enhancing accessibility to transformative tools and opportunities as links in a newly formed chain of opportunity from cradle to grave. This is about placing value in people thriving above them simply surviving.
This piece of work came about in our capacity as partners with Bath Spa university and thus ensued a long-term strategy in which creative interdisciplinary leadership is provided as a solution to the urgent economic, environmental and social issues.
This focus on Creative Wellbeing and fashion as a vehicle for change is one that we will continue to explore in 2024. We hope you will continue to join us!
We are hosting Clare Press’s London book launch in collaboration with the Conduit in February
Image shows Clare Press in a white tee, against a grey backrgound
Neatly segueing into someone who is the epitome of positive transformation in the fashion industry, Clare Press, our Global Sustainability Editor, will launch her new book ‘Wear Next, Fashioning the Future’ in February.
Wear Next invites readers to explore 16 thought-provoking scenarios that envision the future of fashion, spanning from slowed down, upcycled and community-based to fast-paced and AI-enabled, from local to global, regenerative & bio-intelligent.
It poses the question — “What kind of fashion future do YOU want to be part of?”
This delves into inspiring stories, groundbreaking ideas, and interviews with changemakers who are shaping the future of our industry.
In collaboration with the Conduit, we will be celebrating the UK launch in February. This will be by invitation only.
Keep an eye out on social for your chance to win a signed copy of Clare’s new book.
More about the new book here.
Digital gift guide
If you’ve left presents a little late, or indeed are looking at a more minimal gift idea this year, then our Substack offers an option for a gift subscription. A subscriber will receive weekly newsletters, access to reports and podcasts, as well as a monthly briefing.
A charity donation is the other way to gift digitally this year. We’ve listed our top 4 here:
Crisis provides a place for people experiencing homelessness this Christmas
Action for Children’s ‘Secret Santa Campaign’ means you can pick a present for a vulnerable child this Christmas
Age UK ‘Hardest Day Appeal’ funds a friendship call to a lonely older person, particularly around the holidays
The BookTrust Christmas Appeal sends book parcels to children who are vulnerable or in care and might be spending Christmas away from their families for the first time
Changemaker Rachel Arthur to hold open Zoom office in 2024
Source: Rachel Arthur by Holly Falconer. Image shows Rachel Arthur standing in a green shirt dress outside underneath a tree.
Author of the 'The Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook’ for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Rachel Arthur is set to host an ‘office hours’ Zoom meeting once a month for anyone to come and chat to her about sustainable fashion and careers in this space within a joint setting. They will run for an hour and be for 8 people at a time. First come, first served.
THE EU REACHES ANOTHER PROVISIONAL DEAL ON CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY! 💫
After the EU announced its deal on new EU rules to make sustainable products the norm this month, the Council and the European Parliament today reached a provisional deal on the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD).
This aims to enhance the protection of the environment and human rights in the EU and globally. The due diligence directive will set obligations for large companies regarding actual and potential adverse impacts on human rights and the environment, with respect to their own operations, those of their subsidiaries, and those carried out by their business partners.
2024 LVMH Prize: call for applications
LVMH launched its Prize for Young Fashion Designers in 2013. This competition is open to fashion designers from all over the world aged between 18 and 40 who have created at least two womenswear, menswear or genderless ready-to-wear collections.
For the first time, LVMH, wishes to reward excellence in craftsmanship, technical innovation at the service of creativity, and sustainability through the Savoir-Faire Prize. By celebrating exceptional craftsmanship, this new prize within the LVMH Prize aims to promote the transmission of skills.
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