The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the only legally binding framework dedicated to addressing desertification and the effects of drought. The Convention is built on the principles of participation, partnership, and decentralisation, and is comprised of 197 Parties, representing 196 countries and the European Union. It represents a global commitment to combat land degradation, ensuring the protection of our land so that it can continue to provide food, water, shelter, and economic opportunities for all. As the global voice for land, the UNCCD promotes practices that prevent, reduce, and reverse land degradation, and drives efforts toward achieving SDG 15 and Land Degradation Neutrality.
How does UNCCD contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry?
The Fashion4Land initiative, introduced during COP16, is a flagship effort by the UNCCD to highlight the often-overlooked environmental impacts of the fashion industry on land and soil health. This initiative focuses on raising awareness about how fibre sourcing and production contribute to issues like land degradation, soil depletion, and unsustainable water use. By bringing these issues to the forefront, the initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap among industry leaders, policymakers, and consumers. Fashion4Land fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including industry players, government officials, and civil society organizations, to promote sustainable land-use practices. Its ultimate goal is to integrate environmental responsibility into the core values of the fashion industry, making land stewardship a key consideration in production and design decisions.
The Fashion4Land publication, released in conjunction with UNCCD’s COP16, serves as both an educational resource and a roadmap for sustainable transformation in the
fashion sector. This comprehensive document examines the environmental toll of fibre cultivation and offers practical solutions to mitigate these impacts. It highlights best practices, such as regenerative agriculture for natural fibres and innovations in synthetic fibre production that reduce land use and pollution.
The publication is available via: Fashion and land | UNCCD
Fashion4Land launch event at COP16
The Fashion4Land launch event at COP16 provided a global platform to amplify these messages, engaging stakeholders in meaningful discussions on how to integrate sustainable practices into policies and market strategies. By initiating a dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders, the UNCCD underscores the importance of aligning regulatory frameworks with environmental objectives, creating pathways for systemic change in the fashion industry. Speakers, including UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw, UNEP’s Inger Andersen, and industry leaders, emphasized the environmental and social impacts of fashion, such as waste, labor exploitation, and land misuse. The panel discussion featured global efforts like sustainable cashmere production in Mongolia, regenerative agriculture for cotton, and support for local brands adopting sustainable practices.
The live-stream recording of the Fashion4Land event at COP16 is available here: UNCCD COP16
