Top US clothing brands slam Paris accord pull out

Several leading US apparel brands have joined other business and government leaders in condemning president Donald Trump's recent decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, saying they will continue to honor existing pledges to reduce greenhouse emissions and their impact on the environment.

Announced last June 1, the controversial decision comes at a time when, according to the Economist, the North America nation is halfway to meeting its target of 26 to 28 percent reduction on its 2005 level of emissions by 2025. It also aligns the world's largest economy with war-torn Syria and poverty-stricken Nicaragua as the only nonsignatories of the climate accord.

Sportswear giant Nike, outdoor apparel specialist Patagonia and clothing brand Gap are among the companies that have voiced dismay over the pull out.

"We are deeply disappointed by the recent shift in climate policy", a Nike spokesperson told Ecotextile News. "Nike believes that climate change is a serious global threat and that the world will need to radically redesign industrial systems and economies in order to enable a low-carbon growth economy. We will continue to honor the core commitments of the American Business Act on Climate Change Pledge, including reaching 100 percent renewable energy in all Nike owned or operated facilities around the world by 2025, participating in the US Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge and advancing materials innovation globally."

In a press statement Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario said, "Trump's cynical and short-sighted decision to abandon the 2015 Paris Climate Accord will not stop civic and business leaders from leading on a clean energy economy and making a better world for our children and grandchildren."

Gap also remained steadfast in its promise to reduce greenhouse emissions in coming years. In a statement it said, "We remain committed to doing our part to act on climate. We're working towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions from our global facilities in half by the end of 2020, diverting waste from our US facilities and partnering with our suppliers around the world to adopt more sustainable manufacturing practices. We will continue to work with like-minded businesses, NGOs and other stakeholders to support solutions that will create a more sustainable and economically strong future for the people and communities touched by our business around the world. It’s not only the right thing for the planet, but also the right path forward for business growth, job creation and human health."

The Paris accord is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to achieve this goal. It was signed by 195 countries.