Why 55 Fashion CEOs Have Signed a Sustainability Pact

The Fashion Pact, a coalition of more than 55 fashion CEOs, has launched a initiative with brands including CHANEL, Kering, Moncler Group and Prada Group.

An estimated €4.4bn (US$5.09bn) is needed by 2030 for the European fashion sector to meet its decarbonisation targets according to TEHA Group’s Just Fashion Transition 2025 report. 

The Pact’s European Accelerator aims to harmonise supplier data, build supplier capacity and unlock finance to support sustainability. 

Eva von Alvensleben, Executive Director and Secretary General of The Fashion Pact, says: “This unprecedented level of collective commitment marks an important step forward for our industry. 

“By encouraging harmonised environmental data practices, we are not only strengthening the quality and consistency of sustainability data, but also significantly reducing the reporting burden on suppliers. 

“This approach streamlines oversight across the value chain and will help brands to accelerate decarbonisation strategies. It demonstrates the power of collective action in driving systemic change.”

About The Fashion Pact

The Fashion Pact was launched as an initiative by French President Emmanuel Macron and Co-Founded by François-Henri Pinault, formerly Kering’s CEO, and Paul Polman, formerly Unilever’s CEO.

More than 55 CEOs across roughly 160 brands and 20 countries have come together through the initiative to take collective action against climate change in the fashion industry. 

The Pact is governed by an elected committee of 15 CEOs, including from Tapestry, H&M Group, Ralph Lauren and Kering.

The decisions of these CEOs are informed by an Operations Committee of 24 Chief Sustainability Officers including leaders from Farfetch, Moncler, CHANEL and J.Crew Group.

The coalition has grown to cover a third of the fashion industry by volume.

Collecting environmental data from fashion suppliers

The Pact’s European Accelerator has worked to develop a questionnaire for suppliers that aims to reduce the administrative burden of sustainability reporting. 

The questionnaire focuses on energy, water and waste data and has been tested over a six week period with 74 suppliers in Italy. 

It has also seen input from Camera Nazionale della Moda, the National Chamber for Italian Fashion, which represents more than 200 associated brands.

Developed in partnership with BCG company Quantis, the questionnaire has been made available to all fashion brands on an optional and non-exclusive basis.

It is already in use with a number of suppliers and will continue to be rolled out and updated regularly by a technical committee. 

Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Prada Group, says: “The European Accelerator is a significant and strategic step forward for our industry. 

“By establishing a harmonised framework for environmental data collection, it facilitates more consistent and reliable reporting, while also reinforcing our shared commitment to support the value chain. 

“The Accelerator demonstrates the importance of collective action in accelerating the sector's transition to more sustainable practices.”

Lucia Mantero, Product Development Director of Mantero, says: “Taking part in the European Accelerator pilot questionnaire has been very valuable for us. 

“Before, every brand asked for environmental data in a different way — now we can share one consistent set of figures, saving time and improving reliability. 

“The clearer questions help us provide more accurate information and see where we can improve. Most importantly, this shared approach strengthens collaboration and trust between suppliers and brands, making sustainability progress more meaningful.”

Decarbonising supply chains in Italy

Many luxury brands concentrate their production in Italy.

Economic pressures, like high debt ratios, are making investment levels needed unaffordable for around 58% of suppliers according to TEHA Group’s Just Fashion Transition 2025 report. 

This could hinder the €4.4bn (US$5.09bn) of investment needed by 2030 for the European fashion sector to meet its decarbonisation targets.

Alongside its pilot questionnaire, the Accelerator aims to recognise this hurdle and work to open pathways for suppliers to access the investment needed for cleaner technologies. 

The questionnaire’s simplified reporting process could increase capacity-building efforts among suppliers, and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements and renewable energy uptake.

Edoardo Zegna, Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer at Ermenegildo Zegna Group, says: “To drive real progress within our sector, we must work together to find shared solutions to common challenges.

“With the European Accelerator, we’ve been able to strike a good balance between the need of brands to get robust environmental data, and the effort of suppliers to provide it.

“Trust, open discussions and willingness to find a common ground are the key enablers of this initiative. By adopting a harmonised approach, we can encourage the integration of this questionnaire to all the brands of our sector.”