The Scandinavian Textile Initiative For Climate Action (STICA)

Climate Action Week
for Fashion & Apparel

June 9 - 13, 2025

The Scandinavian Textile Initiative For Climate Action (STICA)

Climate Action Week for Fashion & Apparel

June 9 - 13, 2025

International Contributors

STICA Climate Action Week 2025 - Now Available On-Demand

STICA’s Climate Action Week 2025 brought together bold conversations, fresh ideas, and practical solutions to accelerate climate action in the fashion and apparel industry. Whether you’re a climate expert, an advocate for change, or just starting your sustainability journey, these interviews offer valuable insight and inspiration.

All podcast episodes released during the week of June 9–13 are now available to stream on this page.

If you have any questions about the event or the content, feel free to contact Nina at nina@sustainablefashionacademy.org.

Missed last year’s event? Check out Climate Action Week 2024 for even more great content.

Podcast Program

How much is enough? Can a “sufficiency” approach be applied to textile policy?

The green-growth model in fashion is under scrutiny, as critics argue true emissions cuts require ending overproduction and overconsumption. During Climate Action Week 2024, Katia Dayan Vladimirova and Luca Boniolo made the case for a sufficiency approach and outlined concrete steps for the EU and industry to adopt it. In this conversation they explain the concrete steps that the EU and the industry should take to implement this approach.

Do we need to reimagine growth in apparel? Textile Exchange makes the case.

A few years after degrowth advocate Jason Hickel spoke at a Textile Exchange conference, Textile Exchange released Reimagining Growth Landscape Analysis, echoing similar concerns. Michael spoke with Beth Jensen and lead author Rachel Arthur about the report’s conclusion: growth-driven fashion is incompatible with climate, nature, and human rights goals. They explored alternative approaches, industry receptiveness, and how to push this agenda forward.

Ken Pucker is a thought leader and an independent voice. Is anyone listening?

Ken Pucker, former Timberland COO and now Professor at Tufts, is known for his independent views on fashion and sustainability. In last year’s Climate Action Week, he and Michael discussed instant fashion and why voluntary initiatives fall short. This year, Ken returns to share updates on Shein’s IPO and science-based target, U.S. fashion legislation, circularity myths, congestion pricing as a climate model, and whether he believes his work is making a difference.

STICA’s 2024 Progress Update: Greater financial penalties & rewards are needed.

Phil Berman from Ecotextile News spoke with Michael Schragger, Director of STICA, about the initiative’s progress in helping Nordic apparel brands align with the 1.5°C pathway. Of 55 signatories, 39 report emission reductions and 58% are on track for 2030 Scope 3 targets. They also discussed challenges with carbon accounting, the impact of growth demands, and the need for stronger government action and incentives.

Watchdogs Action Speaks Louder & Fashion Revolution want more from the industry.

In recent years, NGO watchdogs have pushed for faster climate action in the apparel industry. Michael spoke with Ruth MacGilp (Action Speaks Louder) and Liv Simpliciano (Fashion Revolution) about their expectations for brands, their strategies, and how they measure progress. They discussed data and transparency, new reporting on climate investment, the impact of pressure, and when legislation is needed.

Will EU’s textile legislation reduce industry emissions at the pace and scale required?

A recent EU report found textile consumption emits 355kg CO₂e per person. Michael spoke with Matjaž Malgaj, who leads work on sustainable products at the EU Commission, about how the EU is tackling climate action in textiles. They discussed aligning with the 1.5°C pathway, key legislation, cutting emissions beyond EU borders, and the tension between growth, fast fashion, and climate goals.

Status Update: Will the New York and California Fashion Act bills pass?

During STICA’s 2024 Climate Action Week, Maxine Bédat and colleagues from the NRDC and New York State Assembly shared updates on the New York Fashion Act. Since then, similar bills have been introduced in California and Massachusetts. Michael spoke with Maxine to get the latest on their status, how they address climate action, how they align or differ, why she believes they’ll be effective, and why major industry support remains limited.

How Elisabeth Peregi, the Kappahl Group’s CEO, views climate action.

As a signatory of STICA’s Company Climate Action Program, Kappahl Group CEO Elisabeth Peregi joined Michael to discuss how a midsized, privately owned apparel brand approaches climate action. They explored whether financial growth can align with emissions cuts, the need for legislation and incentives, the importance of long-term partnerships, and the broader role of business in society.

Jason Judd wants the apparel industry to take heat stress very seriously.

Global warming is already affecting workers and businesses in key production regions, with heat stress rising. While companies set emissions targets, many ignore adaptation risks. In 2023, Cornell ILR and Schroders released Higher Ground on climate impacts in fashion, followed in 2024 by Hot Air, showing heat may be accelerating. Michael talks with Jason Judd (ILR) about the findings, industry response, and what’s needed next.

The Laudes Foundation explains its approach for ensuring a Just Transition.

The Laudes Foundation is one of the few funders focused on sustainability in the apparel industry and is actively promoting a Just Transition. Michael speaks with Amol Mehra, human rights lawyer and Director of Industry Programmes, about Laudes’ vision and strategy. They discuss the risks of brand-driven climate action, the need to center suppliers and workers, why embedding sustainability is vital for business survival, and initiatives like the upcoming Just Transition Center in Bangladesh.

Professor Hakan Karaosman is still asking: “Where are the workers’ voices?”

Hakan Karaosman, a supply chain professor at Cardiff University whose mother was a garment worker, asked six years ago: “Where are workers’ voices in climate strategy?” Since then, his research has uncovered both hard truths and best practices. He and Michael explore what a Just Transition means in theory and practice. Hakan shares insights on transition archetypes and argues that tech and efficiency alone won’t solve the problem—offering alternative approaches instead.

Heat is putting Indian garment workers’ lives at risk today. We need to act now.

Nandita Shivakumar is a labor organizer focused on gender justice, sustainability, and migrant rights in fashion supply chains. She represents TTCU, a Dalit women-led union of 12,000 textile workers. Nandita shares firsthand accounts of how rising heat is already harming garment workers’ health, especially women, and putting lives at risk. She and Michael discuss the impacts, lack of accountability, possible solutions, and the urgent need for action.

Will we soon see a breakthrough for “next-gen” man-made cellulosic textiles?

Nicole Rycroft (Canopy) sees “next-gen” materials as the renewables of the forest and climate space. With 300 million trees cut each year for fibers like rayon and viscose, Canopy aims to replace forest-derived textiles with low-carbon, circular alternatives made from waste. Nicole and Michael discuss the emerging technologies, financing, and regions driving this fast-growing next-gen economy.

The Good Fashion Fund has tested its impact model. It is time to scale up.

Launched in 2018, the Good Fashion Fund (GFF) aims to show that supporting midsize textile suppliers can deliver climate, social, and financial returns. Fund managers Bob Assenberg and Jayanth Kashyap explain why the model works, share lessons from India and Bangladesh, and highlight the need for close partnerships, technical support, and impact integration. They also outline their vision for scaling the model and hope it inspires other investors.

WRAP believes we need a standardized way to measure circular business models.

To meet emissions targets, companies are exploring circular business models like repair, resale, and subscriptions. These aim to reduce virgin production but remain minor revenue sources due to weak incentives, logistical issues, and unclear climate impact. Michael speaks with Merryn Haines-Gadd (WRAP) about insights from UK companies and the need for standard ways to measure if these models truly replace new clothing purchases.

Will climate-related innovations save us? We asked Lutz Walter from Textile ETP.

Lutz Walter, founder of Textile ETP, shares insights on how the European textile industry can meet climate targets. He and Michael discuss the role of innovation, the risks of misinformation, the importance of energy systems and electrification, and high-impact climate investments. They also explore overconsumption, the fashion business model, EU legislation, investment in sustainable innovation, and the challenges of scaling textile recycling.

Apparel Impact Institute has a decarbonization strategy for the industry. Is it working?

The Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) plays a key role in driving the apparel industry’s decarbonization, working with brands, suppliers, and funders to cut emissions. Michael speaks with Aii President & CEO Lewis Perkins about progress, current challenges, and industry-wide responsibility. They explore funding, financial incentives, who should pay for climate action – even the “soul of money” – as well as overconsumption and sufficiency. Lewis shares insights on Aii’s approach and what gaps remain.

Factory decarbonization expert Peter Ford is surprisingly optimistic about 2030.

For a hands-on perspective on decarbonization in apparel supply chains, we turned to Peter Ford of EnergyLab Asia. He discusses 2030 targets, tariff impacts, waterless dyeing, which companies seem serious about climate action, and reflects on NGO demands, the SBTi framework, and whether industry initiatives are delivering.

Will energy benchmarks for apparel change the game? Kurt & Phil think so.

Experts at the Apparel Impact Institute are developing benchmarks to compare textile facilities on energy and emissions. Kurt Kipka (Aii) and Phil Patterson (Colour Connections) believe this can accelerate decarbonization by rewarding strong performers and guiding others – perhaps more effectively than fragmented legislation.

These manufacturers argue a paradigm shift is needed for successful climate action.

Debates on sustainability in supply chains often focus on the power imbalance between buyers and manufacturers. In climate action, many argue brands unfairly shift too much responsibility onto manufacturers, making it ineffective. Michael speaks with Dr. Vidhura Ralapanawe (Epic Group), Saqib Sohail (Artistic Milliners), and Kim van der Weerd (Fashion Producer Collective) about what’s not working and the need for manufacturer-driven, brand-supported climate action.

Will H&M reach its climate targets and decouple emissions from financial growth?

The H&M Group, a STICA signatory, is by far the largest GHG emitter among companies in STICA’s Climate Action Program. While often criticized for its business model from a sustainability perspective, H&M has also been praised for its climate leadership. Michael speaks with H&M climate experts Henrik Sundberg and Kim Hellström about the company’s climate work, from challenges with data collection and carbon accounting to key insights on energy efficiency, user phase emissions, and circular business models. They also reflect on industry progress and what’s needed to meet 2030 targets.

Background

Where Do We Stand Today? The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as recommended by the IPCC. This means reaching net-zero emissions by the second half of this century. But how close are we?

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), reaching 1.5°C is still technically possible – but only with a G20-led global effort to drastically cut emissions. If current policies continue, we are on track for a catastrophic temperature rise of up to 3.1°C. Current 2030 commitments are insufficient; even if fully met, we’d still see a temperature increase of 2.6-2.8°C.

What About the Fashion and Apparel Industry? The fashion & apparel sectors contribute an estimated 2–8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, depending on the scope and data source. With continued industry growth, reducing emissions in line with the 1.5°C pathway will be difficult without urgent and coordinated action.

You can learn more about the climate impact of the industry in these reports: Taking Stock of Progress Against the Roadmap to Net Zero (Aii), Fashion on Climate (McKinsey/GFA), Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain (UNEP) and STICA’s own 2024 Progress Report.

Michael Schragger, Initiative Co-founder & Director, STICA

“Discussing and debating climate action with many of the industry’s leading thinkers and doers is a privilege. With so much bad news consistently coming our way, the optimism in some of these conversations caught me by surprise and provided an important emotional lift. Still, while individual companies and stakeholders are acting, as a whole we are not moving fast enough. And vulnerable people and communities are feeling the impacts of global warming today. I hope you will listen in to get updated on the latest developments, to engage in the debates and to gather insights that can inform your work ahead.”

The Scandinavian Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA) was established to ensure the fashion and apparel industries in Scandinavia and Europe do their fair share to reduce their emissions and transform the industry for the betterment of people and the planet – well before 2045. Find out more about STICA and STICA’s Company Climate Action Program & Network!

Media partner:

The Scandinavian Textile Initiative For Climate Action (STICA)

Climate Action Week
for Fashion & Apparel

June 9 - 13, 2025

The Scandinavian Textile Initiative For Climate Action (STICA)