Policy action on textiles

Policy action on textiles

A dialogue series facilitated by UNEP

Alongside the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in February 2024, governments recognised the urgent need for a policy coordination mechanism to build coherence in the policy response to address the adverse effects of the textile value chain on nature, people and economies. To do so, governments called for a global policy dialogue on textiles.

Mustafa Tuzcu, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Trade, called for UNEP to bring and convene a wide array of governments in an inclusive policy dialogue to facilitate the transition towards a climate neutral, resource efficient and circular textile sector”. 

A global policy dialogue allows for more international coordination for policy implementation and to share experience and knowledge on different policy initiatives– Afke van Rijn, Vice Minister for the Environment and International Affairs at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Netherlands.

At UNEA-6, governments agreed that the dialogue series should be government-led, inclusive and address various aspects of circularity in textiles, including:

We need to start thinking collectively about the issue of textile waste, and France is ready to get involved.” –  H.E. Arnaud Suquet, France’s Ambassador to Kenya and UNEP Permanent Representative.

Not only are we interested to learn from the success stories of other countries, we also want to learn from their failures – Lydia Essuah, Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ghana.

UNEP leverages international fora to host conversations and explore gaps and opportunities for policy coordination at different stages of the textiles value chain.

Resources

Access below examples of existing textile policies and good practices:

Examples of national textile programmes and strategies

Partner resources

Podcast series

The Policy action on textiles podcast series sheds light on national policy interventions, their impacts and key learnings. It aims to amplify textile policy efforts at national level, and identify what can accelerate impact by having a more coordinated approach at global level.

H.E. Maisa Rojas Corradi
Minister for the Environment of Chile

The environmental impact is quite clear and has to do with the spread of microplastics in the desert environment. As is well-known, microplastics are currently found all over the world and are a serious environmental concern. Also, as is also known, the practice of burning clothing is common, and burning plastics releases toxins to the environment. • Health impacts are also relevant. The impact of microplastics on health is not well studied and is difficult to study because the main concern is the long-term impacts, and these need long-term studies. But we already know that certain chemicals added to plastics disrupt the endocrine system. Hence, a precautionary approach is due. • Social impacts are also clear. For example, the aesthetic value of the desert is greatly diminished when you find these large dumps in them.

H.E. Maisa Rojas Corradi
Minister for the Environment of Chile

The environmental impact is quite clear and has to do with the spread of microplastics in the desert environment. As is well-known, microplastics are currently found all over the world and are a serious environmental concern. Also, as is also known, the practice of burning clothing is common, and burning plastics releases toxins to the environment. • Health impacts are also relevant. The impact of microplastics on health is not well studied and is difficult to study because the main concern is the long-term impacts, and these need long-term studies. But we already know that certain chemicals added to plastics disrupt the endocrine system. Hence, a precautionary approach is due. • Social impacts are also clear. For example, the aesthetic value of the desert is greatly diminished when you find these large dumps in them.

To engage in the policy action on textiles, send an email to: claire.thiebault@un.org