The Sustainable Textiles of the Asian Region (STAR) Network, Asia’s inter-regional alliance ofgarmentproducerassociations,hasreaffirmeditscommitment toadvancingsustainabilityby becomingasupporting organizationof theFashionIndustry Charter for Climate Actionconvened by UNClimate Change, a press release said.
Thismilestone underscoresthe collective ambitionof STAR’snine national member associations-representing the garment,footwear,and travel goods(GFT)industriesinBangladesh,Cambodia,China,Myanmar,Pakistan,and Vietnam-toworktogethertowardsamore sustainable and climate-resilientfuture for theregion’sGFT sector.
The FashionIndustry Charter for Climate Action bringstogether leading fashionbrands,retailers,suppliers,and industrystakeholdersinaunited efforttoalignwiththe goalsof the ParisAgreement,particularly the ambitiontolimit global temperaturerise to1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.TheCharter setsaclear pathway for decarbonization,committing signatoriesandsupporting organizationsto concrete actions suchasachieving net-zeroemissions by 2050, promoting renewable energy,andadvancing circular businessmodels.
By joining asasupporting organization,STARNetwork strengthensitsrole asaregional voicefor producersand suppliersinAsia.The partnershipwill:
Enhanceadvocacyon behalf of nearly 35,000manufacturersacrossitsmember associations,ensuring supplierperspectivesare represented inglobal sustainability dialogues.
Facilitate collaborationwith major global brandsand peer organizationstoscale bestpractices,innovations,and policiesthatreduceemissionsand environmental impact.
Strengthencapacity buildingby creating opportunities for knowledge exchange,training,and technical supportformanufacturersnavigating the greentransition.
Accelerate collective impactby fostering jointinitiatives onrenewable energy adoption,sustainable productionpractices,and transparentsupply chains. FazleeShamimEhsan, Chairmanof the STARNetworkand Executive Presidentof the BangladeshKnitwear ManufacturersandExportersAssociation(BKMEA),welcomed the partnership: “ThisisamajorstepforwardfortheSTARNetwork.ByjoiningtheCharter,weareengagingmorecloselywithglobalstakeholderstoensurethevoicesofAsiansuppliersareheardintheglobalclimatemovement.Ilookforwardtoworkingwith ourpartnerstoacceleratesustainablepracticesacrossthesupplychain,whileensuringthatthetransitionisinclusive,fair,and beneficialtothemillionsofworkersandcommunitieswhodependonthisindustry.” SovicheaSaron,HeadoftheSTARSecretariat,expressedhisoptimism: “IamveryproudofthismilestonefortheSTARNetwork.Itdemonstratesourmembers’readinesstoalignwithglobalclimate goalsandstrengthensourabilitytopushforwardmeaningfulactionintheregion.Ibelievethispartnershipwillallowusto amplifysupplierperspectives,strengthencollaborationwithbrands,andbuildpracticalsolutionsthatsupportbothclimate resilienceandlong termcompetitiveness.WelookforwardtocontributingtotheCharter’svisionofanet-zerofashionindustry.” Asasupporting organization,STARNetworkis poised toengage injointinitiativeswith the Charter,including regionalrenewableenergyprograms,suppliercapacitybuilding,andcollaborativeresearchtoinformevidence-basedpolicy.ThiscommitmentreflectsSTAR’sdedicationnotonly to the goalsof the Charter and the ParisAgreement,butalsoto ensuring thatsustainabilitytransitionsdeliver shared value acrossthe supply chain. Withitsever-expanding networkof manufacturersand growing partnerships,STARisuniquely positioned toamplify suppliervoices,foster inclusive collaborations,and accelerate progresstoward amore sustainable,resilient,and equitable future for theglobal garmentindustry.
