SDGs
The UN SDGs and the textile industry are closely related. As part of the initiatives to fulfill the SDGs, the UN has created the „UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion“. This initiative is being supported by allied organizations it is designed to contribute to the SDGs through coordinated action in the fashion sector. This initiative focuses on fashion (clothing, leather, and footwear), made from textiles and related goods. The scope extends from the production of raw materials and manufacturing of garments, accessories and footwear, to their distribution, consumption and disposal. Furthermore, it tackles social and environmental issues, such as improvement in working conditions and remuneration to workers, but also reduction of industries waste streams, water pollution and GHG emissions.
Other actions are being taken by the United Nations aiming to reduce the impact of the fashion industry and reach the Sustainable Development Goals and targets. An example is the “Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action“, which was signed by many fashion giants in the industry at COP24 in Katowice, Poland where also Vienna Textile Lab was presenting at the time.
Since the beginning, Vienna Textile Lab has aimed to tackle some of the biggest environmental problems within the Textile & Fashion Industry related to the dyeing process. The first step towards our sustainability journey began by understanding how to refer to the United Nations and EU initiatives. At the start of our journey, we wanted to focus on the reference systems and understand where the world stands with impact and sustainability.
