Sustainable fashion at UNEP | Systems thinker, strategist, writer, speaker
With a different hat on, I’m continuing my work with Textile Exchange exploring the topic of growth in the fashion, apparel and textile industry, and the role it plays in climate and nature impacts. Next step in that is developing a landscape analysis report aiming to provide a shared reference point on foundational concepts related to the topic. One of the key challenges it will address is terminology. What do we call it when keywords like overconsumption, overproduction, degrowth, sufficiency, decoupling, either aren’t fit for purpose, are too complex or highly sensitive to take to internal decision makers. So, we’re trying to get a gauge on it. If you work in the sector, we invite you to complete this confidential and very brief 6-question survey - https://lnkd.in/eBnrAiJQ Please help spread the word by commenting and sharing - we want as wide a view on this as possible to help inform the direction. Deadline for responses: Friday, July 9, 2024. Thank you in advance! #reimagininggrowth #sustainability #sustainablefashion
Iva Minkova
2w
Language is so important. Overcoming jargon is the simplest way to get broader engagement with “sustainability” strategies and concepts. But let’s call some things like they are - overproduction is overproduction. 99% (my unofficial statistic, don’t quote me!) of fashion companies engage in overproduction in fashion. “Degrowth” might be a scary word for investors and boards to hear, sure, but overproduction is so engrained and accepted as the norm in the way things are done, that it needs to be named and addressed head on.
Abbie Morris
2w
Love what you're doing, Rachel - terminology can make such a difference in the impact initiatives have. Commenting for reach 👍
Kurt Svegård
2w
��One of the key challenges it will address is terminology. What do we call it when keywords like overconsumption, overproduction, degrowth, sufficiency, decoupling, either aren’t fit for purpose, are too complex or highly sensitive to take to internal decision makers.” If topics like overproduction is too sensitive to decision makers among brands that are worst in class, one would wonder how on earth they got in position and how they plan avoiding the Kodak moment…
The key theme around which all other transformations revolve. Congratulations for daring to tackle it! It is clear that language is critical in any field, but when we talk about a paradigm shift in which in all probability, the current indicators and models, where decision makers have been educated and have lived their careers, are a comfort zone difficult to change, we must think that this language should be inclusive of all, lovers of the old model should be reflected and not assaulted, but those who advocate a radical paradigm shift, should see reflected that ambitious change, perhaps empathizing with areas in which they do not have so much knowledge. Very smart to first address the language of the problem and then the problem itself.
I'm so happy to see your degrowth work continuing Rachel. Debates around words, meanings and definitions have been holding up action on tackling this massive economic challenge. To me 'sustainability' improvements are just tinkering around the edges until it is addressed formally by regulation and more
It's great you're thinking about the language that will actually work for internal decision makers. At the end of the day what matters most is being able to influence change, and letting go of phrases or approaches we can become attached to is key to that.
Amol Sagar
2w
Rachel Arthur Concept Sustainable Fashion could reverse trend For going for polystyrene, to wool and cotton. Potentially
Alexis Eyre
2w
Gina Sanchez Connor Hill Ross Partridge Rachel Hodgson Deborah Dolce could be of interest?
Alina Turner
2w
We've got this!
Fast tracking fashion to be more sustainable
2wWhere is the word ‘waste’ Rachel Arthur ? It’s the single biggest issue (as pollution) so how we manage waste is fundamental. I’m fascinated to know why it’s not on the existing list of words. :0) Sincerely and without the criticism my comment may first trigger such emotion.