From an agricultural level, reducing carbon emissions can come from various practices like limited or no tillage, optimised fertiliser use/use of natural alternatives and crop rotation. All of these things can improve the biodiversity of the soil which in turn can sequester more carbon, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere. Measuring carbon capture also allows growers to receive carbon credits which they can then monetise. Switching diesel powered machinery with renewable power can reduce GHG emissions too.

Many retailers are placing smaller orders for their seasonal lines, then waiting to see which products sell well before replenishing those stocks weighted accordingly to popularity. It of course makes sense, but the replenishment orders are coming with shorter lead time demands and this is putting additional pressure on supply chains at a time when they are already facing many challenges like the Red Sea conflict, inflated input costs and in some countries USD liquidity issues.

There is not one single solution that fits all, with farmers' situations rapidly changing across the state. For example, we work with one community that is located in a coastal region where saline water is a large challenge for agriculture. We also work with another community deep inland where their water table has dropped dramatically over the last 20 years.

There is a trend in legislation towards greater due diligence requirements meaning global brands/retailers are facing more and more scrutiny on matters happening outside their direct operations. Increasingly, poor social or environmental actions in their supply chains are not something to which they can turn a blind eye. Competition for water in areas where basic social needs are still only partially met may well be one of those cases and represent a potential long-term risk to brand reputations.

The industry is extremely sure that this EFTA will further increase collaboration between the signing countries and will confirm the commitment of India and EFTA to develop trade and investment relations in a way that is conducive to sustainable development.

Although India has granted duty-free advantages to almost all garment categories, most of the synthetic garments are excluded from the duty-free agreement and hence will not get any advantage.

If you look at the history of some of the economically successful countries also, you will find that the countries which are producing and exporting high value added have been able to sustain their economic growth in comparison to raw material exporting countries. These not only generate huge revenue but also create huge employment as it has the potential to trickle down the benefits.

Functional fabrics have also become increasingly important for consumers. With a growing awareness of health, sustainability, and comfort, consumers seek clothing that supports their lifestyle. Therefore, functions such as moisture-wicking materials, odour-resistant fabrics, or environmentally friendly textiles are becoming increasingly popular.

Most are interested in the idea to focus on global sustainability (i.e. a future where everyone on the planet can live flourishing lives on a regenerative planet in balance). This is exciting, but also a little sad as I realise that for many (especially in the Global North) sustainability is just about making the current unsustainable system a little less bad.

Apple says that “leather has a significant carbon footprint” and this is enough to ditch leather. In my opinion they are only looking at one of the parameters of sustainability and not the whole; and maybe there is a hidden agenda behind it. For sure, the secondary market will quickly take advantage of using leather to fulfill the need for premium, long-lasting protection for phones and watches. Possibly here is the case that leather wins and Apple loses.

It (the Apple decision) is significant in that, for all the progress we are making, there is still work to be done fostering a deeper understanding of how leather can be part of the solution for a more sustainable future.

Sustainably produced leather is one of the most eco-friendly and natural materials, offering unmatched versatility, durability, and reparability. The leather industry should continue to undo the consumer misinformation that has existed for years by providing scientifically proven data on the environmental impact of leather and increasing transparency in its production and material sourcing systems.

The value of luxury has changed dramatically; we went from a world where it was all about exclusivity, heritage, traditions to a world where luxury has shifted towards inclusivity, sustainability, innovations. Secondhand will further shape the connotation of luxury.

In the light of the criticism, Apple does not appear willing to listen and learn, but instead do not want to admit an error and are doubling down.at the moment. I am sure that can be changed with persistent calls and claims from consumers.

We started the business developing colours and identified an issue with byproduct and waste biomass in the market places that we are working in. We develop technology around such waste streams, and that's how we develop the black technologies. We are planning on developing colours and have grants submitted to get funding. The goal in the end is cyan yellow,

I don't think anything in the innovation space is that easy. Innovation can be challenging at the technology level and implementation in the real world is also a challenge. Patagonia was our first big brand to buy into using our product. That was instrumental in helping us get plugged into a global supply chain and learning how to deliver on each continent.

Fostering collaboration between industry and academia is crucial for driving innovation. CITI is actively advocating for increased collaboration within the Indian textiles and fashion sector. We encourage corporates to be more proactive by facilitating partnerships with research institutions, academia and forming consortia.

The reason why sorting and collection plants are full is because the demand in the recipient countries is very slow. Without being able to sell on stock to recipient countries operators of collection and sorting plants could be forced to close their doors to receiving new stock of used textiles until they have managed to clear what they have.

The closure of Pittards will alter market dynamics within the industry, potentially affecting supply chains and pricing. This closure could also signal broader challenges facing the leather industry, such as changing consumer preferences, increased competition from substitute materials, supply chain issues, or economic downturns.

Of course, the UK leaving Brexit, the complications of running production in Yeovil and Addis Ababa simultaneously and the cost of producing leathers in the UK as electricity prices skyrocketed would have been hugely challenging. Mike called it "death by a thousand cuts". Still, such a shame to see such a storied and technical company close.