Fashion luxury brands 'particularly sensitive' to climate change, study reveals

The luxury fashion industry's dependence on high-quality raw materials that are often available only in limited areas of the world makes the sector particularly vulnerable to climate change. This was the key finding in a recent report by France-based luxury goods company Kering and UK consulting firm Verisk Maplecroft entitled "Climate Change: Implications and Strategies for the Luxury Fashion Sector".

The study centered on six raw materials that are significant to the luxury fashion industry, namely cowhide, sheep- and lambskin, vicuña, cashmere, silk and extra-fine cotton. The research discusses how environmental factors such as droughts, rising temperatures, reduced water availability and desertification affect these material sources.

It also analysizes the consequences of climate change on processing locations, particularly raw material production, and highlights the hotspots where immediate action is necessary. The report then provides a guide to help luxury fashion brands in taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build adaptive capacity in their supply networks.

Download the full report via this link.

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