Do we need to innovate in tackling climate change?

The United Nations goal of sustainable development in 2030 is to raise the earth's temperature by 2 degrees within 1.5 degrees. For this reason, the China Federation of textile industry took the lead in becoming the first industry in the consumer goods industry to carry out climate innovation.

In August 27, 2019, the China Federation of textile industry's social responsibility Office (hereinafter referred to as the China Textile Association) hosted the 2019 climate innovation and fashion summit organised by well-known textile and garment enterprises and trade associations from all over the world. Dozens of garment and textile enterprises such as Lining group, CHENFENG group, Lan Jing group, Kai Yun group, Sai Deli, Sheng Tai Group, Jin Ba men's wear, Puma group, H&M group, Orient International Group, Mei Xinda printing and dyeing group, and more than 400 guests from environmental protection, textile industry, fashion industry and other industries participated in this summit.

Sun Ruizhe, President of China Federation of textile industry, Gao Yanmin, director of the consumer goods industry department of the Ministry of industry and information technology, and UNFCCC Xhaferi-Salihu Lindita, chief representative of the United Nations fashion industry climate charter, and chief executive of the Beijing Representative Office of WWF world natural fund (Switzerland), attended the summit and delivered speeches. Wang Shi also supported the summit and follow-up industry action through video live broadcast.

Sun Ruizhe, President of the China Federation of textile industry, said in his speech that climate change is changing the business environment and pattern of market competition, which not only affects the operation of enterprises, but also affects the supply chain and market demand of enterprises. Chinese fashion enterprises should clarify the development trend of the world, countries and industries in changing circumstances, so as to grasp opportunities and plan the future in changing circumstances.

The conference also announced the establishment of a "fashion climate innovation special fund". The fund was set up under the China Green Carbon Sink foundation. It was put forward by the China Textile Association. It was launched by the textile product development center, which includes morning breeze group, Lan Jing group, new Tianyuan color spinning, Mei Xinda group, power tyrant men's clothing and Sai Deli group.

Gao Yanmin, director of the consumer goods industry department of the Ministry of industry and information technology, pointed out that industry is the main driving force for economic growth, and is also an important area of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The textile and garment industry is an important part of the industry. Therefore, the attitude and action of the textile and garment industry will have a wide impact on the industrial field and even the global market in the process of responding to climate change.

Yan Yan, chief executive officer of China Textile Association, said that from 2017 to 2019, the China Textile Association has done a series of actions. It initiated the "carbon management innovation 2020 action" and upgraded it into "fashion climate innovation 2030 action". It participated in the enterprise day activities of the United Nations climate change conference, participated in the establishment of the "China enterprise Climate Action Alliance CBCA", signed the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change (UNFCCC) with the 31 global brands and textile enterprises and 11 industry organizations, launched the "fashion industry climate action charter", launched the China fashion industry Climate Leadership Project comprehensively, launched the "fashion climate innovation special fund" invitation, and promoted the green energy and climate innovation of China's fashion industry. It is hoped that in the near future, more enterprises will actively participate in the action of climate innovation through industrial collaboration.