Frank Zambrelli, executive director of Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business Responsible Business Coalition, discusses the school’s recommendations for sustainability and transparency in the fashion industry. He explains findings in Accenture’s recently released report, Scaling ESG Solutions in Fashion, which identified seven areas of focus required for sustainable changes to the fashion industry. They include industry-wide adoption of transparent emissions reduction goals of 50% by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040, use of renewable energy in manufacturing, elimination of the use of restricted chemicals, and fair labor practices across every step of the fashion supply chain in order to turn the industry into a sustainable one.
Fashion may make us look and feel good but it does no favors for the planet, accounting for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually and providing many examples of egregious treatment of labor in low-income countries. Frank also explains the intentions behind New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand’s Fashion Accountability and Building Real Institutional Change Act, or FABRIC Act, which the U.S. Senate is currently considering. It would require moving fashion production back to the U.S. under better environmental and labor standards than other countries enforce. You can learn more about Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business at fordham.edu/gabelli-school-of-business.
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This podcast originally aired on July 4, 2022.