GFA releases CEO Agenda 2020, has sustainability at core

In the short term, the CEO Agenda 2020 discusses opportunities the crisis presents to optimise fashion’s value chain, and in the long term to emerge on the other side with more resilient business models to prevent and combat future crises.

“Covid-19 has elevated the importance of sustainability. It is now up to industry leaders to grab the opportunities for their companies to advance with sustainable business models in an environment that has become even more volatile,” said Eva Kruse, CEO, GFA.

“I’m well aware of the battlefield fashion leaders are on every day in these weeks and months, and how sheer survival is the top priority for many. However, this crisis presents an opportunity for us to re-evaluate the lexicon of fashion and, by default, its entire system of operations. I urge fashion leaders to rethink and rebuild systems in a collective effort to ensure a just and resilient future post-pandemic. I acknowledge that this is not an easy feat, which is why we have updated the CEO Agenda as a tangible tool to help CEOs ensure that their companies come out on the other side with sustainability at their core and more resilient than ever,” added Kruse.

Whilst brands and retailers are re-organising for the new normal post-COVID-19, there is a range of win-wins to embedding sustainability in the recovery of their businesses, including the fact that stakeholders are also shifting towards more sustainable practices. Two thirds of consumers state that sustainability has become even more important to limiting the impact on climate change following COVID-19, according to McKinsey & Company’s post COVID-19 consumer survey.

Investment communities are increasingly driving deeper reassessments of risk and asset values during this crisis. With sustainability’s increasing impact on investment returns, many indications show that sustainable investment can provide better risk-adjusted returns to investors. Moreover, regulators are exploring bold green commitments as part of their stimulus packages during Covid-19 to integrate sustainable growth into recovery plans.

A response to the current pandemic, the CEO Agenda 2020 – Covid-19 edition is a discrete thought piece authored by Global Fashion Agenda with contributions from McKinsey & Company and with industry insights shared by our Strategic Partners Asos, Bestseller, H&M Group, Kering, Li & Fung, Nike, PVH Corp, Sustainable Apparel Coalition and Target. The publication spotlights the importance of sustainability in times of crises.

“The current crisis forces all of us to take difficult decisions every day – myself being no exception. After the crisis, however, the time will come to rebuild. And I firmly believe that this moment of recovery will be a unique opportunity, together with all stakeholder groups, to set our industry on a new path. One that fast-forwards new ways to make fashion accessible for everyone – within planetary boundaries. And one that truly listens to our customers’ needs and values and that empowers people by creating greater meaning for all of us,” said Helena Helmersson, CEO, H&M Group.

“At PVH, our values and our longstanding commitment to corporate responsibility are instrumental in informing the decisions we make as a business. The Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected every aspect of the apparel value chain. While our immediate focus is navigating the crisis and its human and business impacts, we must actively look for ways to capture opportunities that can accelerate our efforts to create a more sustainable future. The apparel industry will look different post-pandemic and we have a responsibility to help shape this ‘new normal’ for the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Manny Chirico, chairman & CEO, PVH Corp.

“Target’s longstanding commitment to sustainability remains stronger than ever, even as we all navigate through the impacts of the coronavirus. We’re making continued investments in our team, in our approach to sustainability and in our global supply chain. We will continue to work closely alongside others in the industry to drive scalable solutions focused on a more sustainable future, as outlined in Global Fashion Agenda’s CEO Agenda 2020 – Covid-19 edition,” said Bill Foudy, senior vice president and president, owned brand sourcing and development, Target.

The CEO Agenda 2020 – Covid-19 edition details six opportunities for fashion executives to rebuild resilient and sustainable businesses post-pandemic like mapping social and environmental impacts along the value chain, building trust and brand loyalty, raising the bar on supplier relationships and shift to equal partnerships, addressing stock levels and markdowns by scaling new business models, accelerating the digitalisation of business processes, shaping the e-commerce infrastructure of the future.

Global Fashion Agenda is the foremost leadership forum for industry collaboration on fashion sustainability.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)