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Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

28 June 2023 - The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL),The Fashion Pact and Conservation International have created the first industry specific primer to navigate the new target-setting guidance from the Science Based Targets Network.

Raising the ambition for nature

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About

Nature is declining at an unprecedented rate, posing a direct threat to all human society and economic activity.

Business failure to act in the face of this crisis will risk operational longevity. The fashion, apparel, and textile sector is particularly vulnerable, with their supply chains and operations highly dependent on nature. The release of science-based targets for nature (May 2023) provides businesses with the opportunity to set critical targets and take the actions necessary to protect and restore nature.

This high-level primer provides an introduction to science-based targets for nature, helping fashion, apparel, and textile organisations enable an equitable and nature positive future.

Developed in partnership with The Fashion Pact and Conservation International, with input from Textile Exchange and the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), this primer highlights:

  • An overview of science-based targets for nature
  • How companies in the fashion, textile, and apparel sector can go about setting targets
  • An illustrative case study
  • Immediate actions companies can take to address nature loss

The methods to set science-based targets for nature published by the SBTN complement and build upon science-based targets for climate published by Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). By setting both climate and nature targets in tandem, companies can incorporate both into their strategies, drive cost efficiencies and increase innovations that are win-wins for both nature and climate.

Citing this report

University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). (2023). Raising the ambition for nature: A fashion, apparel, and textile sector primer on the first science-based targets for nature. Cambridge: University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

Read quotes from leaders in fashion and sustainability on the first industry-specific guide for science-based targets for nature.

Published: June 2023

Authors and acknowledgements

The lead authors of this document were Dr Stephanie Hime and Ryan Twyford of Little Blue Research Limited, with contributions from Elizabeth Clark and Edmund Dickens of CISL. The report was delivered in collaboration with the Science-Based Targets Network, The Fashion Pact, Conservation International, and Textile Exchange.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not represent an official position of CISL or any of its individual business partners or clients.

Copyright

Copyright © 2023 University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).