Leading names in the fashion fraternity are set to take fight the global climate crisis head-on. In a move that reflects their seriousness to employ greener measures, 32 companies, represented about 150 brands, have signed up on a ‘Fashion Pact’, which is being led by luxury conglomerate Kering. The initiative aims at reducing the fashion industry’s negative impact on climate, biodiversity and the oceans.

Among the brands to have committed to the pact are luxury maisons Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Hermès International, Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, and Capri H. Signatories from high-street and sports brands include H&M, Nike and Adidas. The sustainability-led agreement emphasizes the need to eliminate single-use plastics from packaging, curbing micro-fiber pollution and using 100% renewable energy sources by 2030. Also on the agenda is to create zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

According to Business of Fashion, the participating brands make up 30% of the fashion industry. The initiative was lent impetus at the request of French President Emmanuel Macron, who had called upon Kering’s chief executive Francois-Henri Pinault to “bring together the leading players in fashion and textile, with the aim of setting practical objectives for reducing the environmental impact of their industry.”

For an industry that has long been criticized for its unsustainable means of production, this is truly a welcome development. Let’s hope more industries continue to go green in their endeavors.