Fashion is in the Nature. Stakeholders of fashion and textiles always look to nature for inspiration to kindle their creativity. Nature is the perfect way to rewire our brain for imaginations and innovative ideas that also do good to our Mother Earth. \r\nThe objective of this initiative is to research and organise various activities to examine these industries to enhance SDG #12. These activities also focuses on the use of animals fibres in these industries. The impact of their usages on the SDG # 15 will be examined and see how the stakeholders could contribute to the SDGs of Agenda 2030.

A series of stakeholder engagement activities will be carried out to collect their opinions, experience, thoughts, suggestion, ideas, suggestion and recommendations. they will then be properly recorded and analysed. The activities include at least 8 number of one-hour long Facebook Livestream with 2 different influential VIP guests each time; 3-4 number of 90 minutes long panel discussion with 3-4 different trade experts each time. These will be supplemented by at least 30 units of video in YouTube and/or Facebook and at least 10 written records in Wechat account with 4,000 - 6,000 word count each. \r\nHumans have been using animal fibres for thousands of years! Even nowadays, 95% of Westerns use animals products on a daily basis. It is not likely that the world will cease using any animal fibres at all in the next 15 or even 20 years. Therefore, it is imperative that we make sure all industries using animals fibres contribute to the sustainable developments. And that they will help to make the world better today and for the future generations. \r\nThe problem so far is that every stakeholder is looking at only their challenges and try to find solutions on their own. The challenges they face are actually all inter-connected. From animal farms to manufactures to consumers. From animals to humans to the whole ecological system. Everything is connected.!Therefore, the solutions doesn’t lie on any one area or one specific stakeholder.\r\nThis initiative will firstly raise awareness about how every stakeholders should come together and help to achieve Responsible Consumption and Production. Representatives from all stakeholders will be engaged and their opinions, experience, thoughts, suggestions, ideas etc will be collected, recorded and analysed. \r\nThis research and/or white paper will be prepared with reference to international sustainability reporting framework such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and the United nations’s Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). A digital-format report will be developed based on the qualitative findings from each stakeholders engagement.\r\nAt least 2 dissemination seminars, about 1-2 hour each in hybrid - in person and virtual, will be arranged in Hong Kong to share the update, experience and knowledge from different stages fo this initiative.

Further to the awareness raising efforts of this initiative on SDG # 12 and SDG # 15 at a cross industry, high level discussion via Facebook Livestream and panel discussion at the Regional level, challenges will be identified and prioritised. From this Regional level, we will then bring these experience, knowledge, know-how and any innovative technological outcomes to the local level. This will surely benefit the local stakeholders especially the employees and workers, many of whom are women and minorities. The major channels used will be through information sharing in writing (Wechat), video (YouTube, Facebook) and broadcast ( Podcast, Spotify). We choose not to intervene in local structure but by presenting to everyone that there exist some better alternatives that are beneficial to the stakeholders themselves and contribute to sustainability, especially SDG # 12 & #15, at the same time.\r\nThis initiative will create various platforms for all stakeholders for some open and safe dialogue opportunities. The focus will be 5-tiered:\r\n1. Regional Live-streams and panel discussions. \r\n2. Collection and dissemination of experience, knowledge and innovative technological know-how from above live-streams and panel discussions.\r\n3. Transfer the above into repeatable good practices that every stakeholders at local level can adopt and use. \r\n4. Share and promote these repeatable good practices to all at all levels.\r\n5. Review the above 4 steps, improve and amend if necessary.

The Institute of International Sustainable Development will lead this initiative. The Hong Kong government established Hong Kong productivity council and Clothing Industry training authority will provide guidelines, advices and facilitate coordination or even assist in applying government fundings when required. The NPOs including the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Footwear Association and the Federation of Hong Kong Brands will promote and help to coordinate among their members and non-member trade connections. The private sectors lead by Arte Moda International Enterprises will provide the administrative support and additional funding if required. \r\nIn this century, approximate 15% of the world’s population work in the fashion and textile industries. On the other hand, every human being uses and consumes products of the fashion and textile industries some how. Therefore, the responsible consumption and production are imperative to achieving a sustainable future for everyone. Moreover, among the three fibres in the fashion and textile industries: plant, chemical and animal fibres; the use of animal fibres directly impact the life on land.

Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) - a multi-disciplinary organisation established by Hong Kong Government statute; Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) - established by Hong Kong Government according to the Industry Training (Clothing Industry) Ordinance\r\nChinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA) - non-profit making industrial organisation\r\nHong Kong Footwear Association (HKFA) - non-profit making trades organisation\r\nFederation of Hong Kong Brands (FHKB) - non-profit making brands organisation\r\nArte Moda International Enterprises (AMIE) - private sector. Innotier