The Low Carbon Sustainability Workshop from the British Fashion Council

On Wednesday, 11th June at The Ministry, the British Fashion Council hosted ‘The Low Carbon Sustainability Workshop’, an educational event aimed at encouraging a range of industry professionals to reduce their carbon footprint. 

The day kicked off with Think Circular delivering an impactful presentation on the current climate challenges and global targets. They highlighted fashion’s role in global waste production and highlighted the importance of every action, no matter how small, when it comes to making our world a more habitable place by 2030. 

Next, we heard from Seedling, a carbon footprint tracker, who explained how to monitor our emissions using the three different scopes of carbon output. Participants were encouraged to reflect on how they could cut back, with suggestions such as using public transport, switching off lights, and rethinking the materials used in garment production. 

Finally, we heard from QSA Partners, a consultancy specialising in circular business models. They discussed how brands can better meet customer needs by understanding consumer behaviour. For instance, if your customer is a luxury shopper, they may expect streamlined repair services, as they invest significantly in their clothing. Other circular solutions included second-hand platforms like eBay and Vinted, but also focused on internal systems such as buy-back schemes, allowing brands to keep garments within their own ecosystems. 

The day closed with a talk from the BFC’s Positive Fashion Forum, which encouraged attendees to calculate their global footprints and use the information of the day to start educating teams internally, to implement more sustainable practices across their brands. 

By Leah Martin, Fashion-Enter Ltd Social Media Producer