Discover our commitment to a greener future through our timeline of impactful actions where each milestone reflects our dedication to sustainability.
This timeline celebrates our partnerships, innovations, and ongoing efforts to leave a positive impact on the textile industry. Explore the steps we've taken—and continue to take—toward a more sustainable tomorrow.
ROUNDTABLE ON RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONDUCT IN THE TEXTILE & APPAREL SECTOR
SU.RE hosted an interactive roundtable on Responsible Business Conduct in the Textile & Apparel sector with Prof. Surya Deva and key industry players.
Prof. Deva highlighted the need for profit with principles and the responsibility businesses hold toward communities and the planet. He also shared insights on the changing global regulations impacting Indian supply chains.
Industry leaders from CMAI, Tata Trent, Reliance Brands, Lacoste, Spykar, Blackberry, and Matrix Clothing discussed embedding sustainability and human rights into their operations and overcoming compliance challenges, especially for MSMEs.
SU.RE, a collaboration between the Ministry of Textiles, Reliance Brands, CMAI, and UN in India, continues to drive sustainability across India’s apparel sector through best practices and collective action.
HOSTED A LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE AT THE GLOBAL FASHION SUMMIT, COPENHAGEN
The "Building Circular Systems for India" Leadership Roundtable, supported by the British Council, brought the SU.RE Delegation to the forefront at the Global Fashion Summit. This exclusive, high-level gathering was designed to craft an actionable roadmap, emphasizing India’s pivotal role in driving the global shift toward a sustainable fashion future.
Recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities within India’s diverse fashion and apparel sector, the roundtable focused on a tailored, holistic approach to sustainability. Industry visionaries, including Claudia Giacovelli (Programme Officer, UNEP) and Zubeida Zwavel (Executive Director, CARES, South Africa), collaborated with other influential leaders to explore innovative strategies for building circular systems.
Key discussions revolved around best practices, collective action principles, and the adoption of circular materials, laying the groundwork for breaking sustainability barriers and fostering transformative change across the industry.
STRENGTHENING GLOBAL ALLIANCES: SU.RE x THE BRITISH COUNCIL
Through a strategic partnership with the British Council, SU.RE is redefining sustainability in India’s apparel sector by fostering global alliances and promoting the exchange of transformative ideas. This collaboration empowers SU.RE signatories to evolve into sustainability leaders while building bridges with like-minded innovators in the UK, Copenhagen, and beyond.
Highlights of this initiative include groundbreaking knowledge exchange sessions with global sustainability icons such as Christopher Raeburn, creative force behind the award-winning British fashion label RÆBURN, and Harriet Vocking, CEO of Eco-Age, in London. Supported by the British Council, these engagements are accelerating India’s sustainable transition and championing a united effort toward a greener global fashion ecosystem.
REDEFINING SUSTAINABLE FASHION AT THE FAB SHOW 2024
FAB Show 2024 champions a future where sustainability is woven into the very fabric of business operations. Organized by CMAI, this event celebrates an era where Indian brands embrace innovation, conscious consumerism, and environmental responsibility to redefine success and create a lasting positive impact.
A highlight of the show was the Sustainability Zone, which captivated attendees with its showcase of fabrics crafted from waste and recyclable materials—proving that style and sustainability go hand in hand. CMAI planted tree saplings on behalf of visitors who pledged to become Earth Warriors, furthering the mission of creating a healthier, greener planet.
DRIVING CHANGE WITH A PANEL SESSION ON RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICES IN THE RMG SECTOR
The National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) hosted a pivotal panel session, featuring SU.RE committee member Mr. Naveen Sainani. The discussion, titled “Sustainability Issues in the Readymade Garment Sector and Its Value Chain,” focused on crafting actionable, sector-specific guidelines to integrate and showcase responsible business practices within the industry.
This transformative session aimed to create a comprehensive guidance document tailored for Readymade Garment (RMG) manufacturers and brands. The ultimate goal was to empower the sector to embed sustainability at its core, ensuring that ethical and responsible business conduct becomes a standard, not an exception.
MAPPING THE FUTURE WITH A SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR INDIA’S TEXTILE MSMES
In a groundbreaking partnership, CMAI and Sattva joined forces to conduct a baseline sustainability assessment across India’s textile and apparel MSMEs. This collaboration harnessed the strengths of both organizations, leveraging their extensive networks and expertise to create a detailed, pan-India study.
The assessment delved deep into critical areas such as waste management, skilling, entrepreneurship, and sustainability practices. By combining research and knowledge sharing, this initiative provided invaluable insights into the sector’s challenges and opportunities, laying the foundation for a more sustainable and resilient textile industry in India.
CIRCULARITY AWARENESS WORKSHOPS FOR EMPOWERING LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), Southern Region, in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), hosted transformative Circularity Awareness Workshops for top management of textile and apparel brands. These sessions illuminated the path toward sustainable growth by focusing on strategies and practices rooted in circular economy principles.
Featuring compelling presentations, interactive discussions, and real-world case studies, the workshops provided attendees with actionable insights to embed circularity into their business models. This initiative not only empowered industry leaders but also reinforced the collective commitment to reshaping the future of fashion with sustainability at its core.
SU.RE COMMITTEE: SHAPING THE ROADMAP FOR SUSTAINABLE FASHION
The SU.RE Committee, comprising key signatories, was established to spearhead the creation of an actionable roadmap for a sustainable future. This dedicated team of industry leaders is driving the mission to transform sustainability commitments into measurable progress, setting new benchmarks for responsibility and innovation in the fashion industry.
SU.RE X FASHION FOR GOOD: SORTING FOR CIRCULARITY INDIA PROJECT
SU.RE signatories broke new ground in textile recycling by collaborating with Fashion For Good’s Sorting for Circularity India project. This initiative explores innovative possibilities to repurpose textiles, aligning with the shared vision of creating a closed-loop system and advancing sustainability in the fashion industry.
ALIGNING ACTIONS FOR A RESTORATIVE FASHION ECOSYSTEM
Exclusive closed-door roundtables brought together key SU.RE signatories and UNEP to align on actions supporting the Ecosystem Restoration Decade. These discussions provided a platform to review progress, address challenges, and identify the necessary support needed to propel the fashion sector toward a more restorative and sustainable future.
LAUNCHING THE INDIA SUSTAINABILITY REPORT AT THE CAPTAIN’S FORUM
In February 2020, SU.RE hosted the Captain’s Forum, unveiling the India Sustainability Report in collaboration with TVOF (The Voice of Fashion). This white paper offers a comprehensive look at the current state of sustainability, capturing consumer and retailer sentiments to provide a clearer understanding of the industry’s evolving perspective on sustainable practices.
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR THE FUTURE
IMG Reliance and CMAI organized an insightful workshop for all SU.RE signatory brands, focusing on ‘Building a Sustainable Supply Chain’. Key stakeholders, including UNDP, The Laudes Foundation, OCA, GOTS, traceability technology platforms, and leading textile brands like Eco-Liva, Lenzing, and R|Elan, shared their expertise. Together, they guided brands through the critical steps of creating a more transparent, ethical, and sustainable supply chain, empowering them to drive change in the fashion industry.
LAUNCH OF SU.RE: THE INDIAN APPAREL INDUSTRY’S LARGEST VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
The launch of SU.RE at Lakmé Fashion Week marked a significant milestone in the movement toward sustainability in the fashion industry. Spearheaded by the Union Minister for Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, alongside the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), the United Nations in India, and RISE Worldwide, the event set the stage for a transformative journey. This initiative embodies a unified commitment to advancing sustainable practices, redefining fashion for a greener future.
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