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ONE UNEP Textile Project: Towards a Sustainable and Circular Textile Value Chain

Textiles has grown to become one of the largest global industries and is an important employer in many countries, where in most cases, the majority of textile workers are women. It is, however, estimated to be responsible for between 2 and 8 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as significant pollution, water extraction and biodiversity impacts, including 215 trillion litres of water consumed per year, and 9 percent of annual microfibre pollution to oceans, as well as significant social impacts. Generally, sustainability considerations in the production of textiles have gained traction, particularly for labor issues. However, the textile value chain is still far from closing loops and reducing its environmental impacts. With volume sales only expected to grow further, accelerated through ever increasing demand for fast fashion particularly, actions for a circular textile value chain, including new business models that allow companies in developing countries to remain competitive, are indispensable. This project provides the framework for all of UNEP’s work in the textile sector under the MTS. The project directly contributes to all outcomes under UNEP’s Programme of Work Sub-programme on Chemicals and Pollution, while also linking to the nature action and climate action pillars. Due to its cross-cutting nature, the project contributes to various of the SDGs as well as the Paris Agreement. It draws expertise and executive capacity from the entire organization, with the overall project being coordinated by the Industry and Economy Division, its outputs being coordinated by Ecosystems, Law, Industry and Economy and Communication Divisions, and delivery driven jointly by UNEP Divisions and Regional Offices. It amplifies its impacts by bringing in strategic external partners under a shared common ambition. This project aims to accelerate the transition towards a circular textile value chain, as defined in UNEP’s Textile Roadmap report. Using a life cycle and value chain approach, the project will intervene at the global level to address the barriers related to limited industry ambition and accountability on circularity, and by providing data and tools to the key stakeholder groups needed to drive the transition. At regional and national level, the project will support implementation and changes in practices, both through pilots of new innovative approaches and scaling transformation through strategic interventions. The project intervenes through delivering the following outputs: 1. Shifting industry norms towards sustainability through target setting, design for circularity, and phasing out most harmful practices 2. Development and implementation of policies, strategies, legislation and action plans for a circular textile value chain 3. Capacity building to shift investments to finance circular textile business models, technologies and infrastructure 4. Advocacy to shift textile consumption towards circularity, and thereby activate changes across the entire value chain