Beyond the Report: unpacking Lenzing's sustainability journey
Ecotextile Talks
In light of their , catches up with , Lenzing’s VP corporate sustainability, and , Lenzing’s global product sustainability lead, to chat about Lenzing's GHG emissions reporting, what is needed to achieve net-zero, and how Lenzing supports its customers and partners in achieving its climate goals. If you want to trace Lenzing's sustainability journey via Ecotextile Talks - do please check out our previous episodes featuring Lenzing guests: 2023 2022 2021 2020 Subscribe to Ecotextile Talks podcasts on , and or here.
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California Dreamin' about new fashion laws with Maxine Bédat
Ecotextile Talks
Host Philip Berman talks to , Executive Director at the official sponsor of the , a new bill introduced into the California State Assembly at the start of February 2025 which, if enacted, would become the first law in the country to require brands to engage in “environmental due diligence” concerning their products and supply chains. This Californian Bill is essentially the same as the which was introduced into the New York State legislature in 2022 - though it’s not yet law - and which is also backed by Maxine, The New Standard Institute and a broad coalition of industry folk...
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What's the way to Net Zero? With the Apparel Impact Institute
Ecotextile Talks
What's the best way to Net Zero? In this episode of Ecotextile Talks, host explores the pathway to net zero in the textile industry with Climate Portfolio Director at the Apparel Impact Institute, and wet processing expert and Ecotextile News contributor They discuss the newly released: "" which provides guidance on how the textile industry can reach net zero by 2040, with a particular focus on electrification and renewable energy adoption in major textile manufacturing countries. Key Topics Discussed > The thermal energy challenge in textile manufacturing, where 80% of energy...
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How big is fashion's plastic footprint?
Ecotextile Talks
Host Philip Berman discusses the findings of a groundbreaking 2024 study on the problem of with one of its co-authors , Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, and , , Santa Barbara. We reveal just how significant the fashion industry's contribution to global plastic pollution is, explore potential solutions and discuss the broader implications for sustainability in fashion. Other studies mentioned in the podcast: Subscribe to Ecotextile Talks podcasts on , and or wherever you listen. Or visit our to find out more on this issue.
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Storing the future: cotton's hidden climate benefits
Ecotextile Talks
Host Philip Berman explores the fascinating world of biogenic carbon storage in cotton garments with , from , from , and from . Together, they delve into the climate benefits of cotton and how it can play a crucial role in the textile industry's sustainability efforts. We cover the following topics Biogenic Carbon Storage: how cotton garments can act as temporary carbon sinks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Dynamic vs. Static Life Cycle Assessment: an explanation and discussion of dynamic LCAs, how they account for the timing of emissions, and how it can...
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Fashion brands falling short on climate action
Ecotextile Talks
In this episode, host Philip Berman sits down with Michael Schragger, Founder & Executive Director of the Sustainable Fashion Academy, to discuss the fashion industry's complex journey towards sustainability. Fresh off the release of from the end of 2024, Schragger gives a unique insight into the successes and challenges Scandinavian fashion companies face striving to meet climate targets, with lessons for the whole industry.. We discuss: Surprising findings from his annual survey of 55 leading Scandinavian companies working in this sector; The Sustainability Paradox...
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What a waste! European textile reuse and recycling on brink of collapse
Ecotextile Talks
Our host Philip Berman sits down with Marie-Jeanne Gaertner, project and policy officer at RREUSE (Reuse and Recycling European Union Social Enterprises) to find out why the textile reuse and recycling sector in the European Union is facing an unprecedented crisis. Gaertner says that a recent open letter to the European Commission and member states, penned by RREUSE, explains why the sector is on the brink of financial collapse, with social enterprises bearing the brunt of this turmoil. She notes how the current 'crisis', which has seen several notable business failures in 2024, is unlike any...
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Inside the legal case against 'Shein's £50 billion IPO'
Ecotextile Talks
This episode of Ecotextile Talks explores facing fast fashion company Shein as it considers listing on the (LSE). In the summer UK based charity, , asked the (FCA) to reject any potential request from Shein to list on the LSE. At the moment, we don't know for sure whether Shein has submitted a request to the FCA so as we all wait, we thought that it would helpful for a lawyer to take us inside the legal case against Shein's listing on the London Stock Exchange. Not just any lawyer, but the one representing Stop Uyghur Genocide, from the UK law firm . We...
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Navigating new regulations: The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive explained
Ecotextile Talks
In this episode of Ecotextile Talks, we explore the (CSDD). This significant new European law entered into force on 25 July 2024 and will be rolled out in phases. Hosted by Philip Berman and featuring , Executive Director of , this discussion sheds light on the critical need for companies to uphold human rights and environmental protections throughout their supply chains. Key questions covered include: How will the CSDD reshape human rights due diligence practices in the textile industry? What specific compliance measures must companies implement to align with this directive? In what...
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Monitoring organic cotton from space
Ecotextile Talks
Our host Philip Berman sits down with Claudia Kersten, managing director of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) to discuss a cotton monitoring project which is literally out of this world. GOTS is working alongside the European Space Agency (ESA) and artificial intelligence specialist Marple to monitor Indian organic cotton crops from space – using AI and satellite imagery to verify farming techniques and identify fraud. The participants discuss how using satellite imagery and AI can distinguish between organic cotton fields from conventional ones. The project, funded by...
info_outlineThis episode of Ecotextile Talks explores the legal challenge facing fast fashion company Shein as it considers listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
In the summer UK based charity, Stop Uyghur Genocide, asked the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to reject any potential request from Shein to list on the LSE.
At the moment, we don't know for sure whether Shein has submitted a request to the FCA so as we all wait, we thought that it would helpful for a lawyer to take us inside the legal case against Shein's listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Not just any lawyer, but the one representing Stop Uyghur Genocide, Ricardo Gama from the UK law firm Leigh Day.
We discuss:
- The legal basis for opposing Shein's potential listing, focusing on the UK Modern Slavery Act and the Proceeds of Crime Act.
- How these laws could apply to Shein's operations, even though the company produces goods outside the UK.
- The alleged evidence presented to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regarding forced labor in the Uyghur region and its alleged connection to Shein's supply chain.
- Shein's response to the allegations and correspondence from Leigh Day
- The potential next steps in the legal process, including the possibility of a judicial review if the Financial Conduct Authority approves any potential Shein's listing.
In the interests of balance and journalistic integrity, we emailed Shein on 25th September to give it an opportunity to respond to the allegations being made in this podcast by Leigh Day, on behalf of Stop Uyghur Genocide, in particular that its supply chain allegedly features forced labour, and the consequential handling of criminal property in breach of the UK Proceeds of Crime Act.
We asked Shein for either a recorded interview to include at the end of this podcast, or a written statement but as of September 30th no one from Shein had replied.
In the podcast we also invited Shein to record a follow-up podcast with us, to respond to the content of this one.
If you would like to read more about the, "NCA and its failure to investigate imports linked to forced labour - see this Guardian article
If you're interested in this issue, then you might like to listen to another recent edition of Ecotextile Talks entitled: "Can we trust textile factory audits in China?" which has an interview with the Executive Director of the Worker Rights Consortium, Scott Nova.