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Welcome to "nouveau monde", your "nouveau genre" (we still wonder what it means, but sounds cool) newsletter to better understand how to make the world better through the lens of retail. This is #42
Le menu du jour at nouveau monde is about a new IPCC report again saying that we are standing on the edge but can still do something. And some fashionable startups in fashion found in Italy.
Things move fast in retail and sustainability, we’re really happy to help you get the right tips and be inspired!
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Today's newsletter is 1,510 words, a 8-minutes read.
It's time to stop talking about climate change in the future
by Anthony
A new IPCC (GIEC in French) report went out this week. Of course, its publication has been shadowed by the war in Ukraine, which is in a way a bit ironic, as war in Ukraine is at least correlated with climate change, and more certainly a direct consequence of it.
So, what does this report shows? Remember the previous report, published this summer, that mostly said that we were now sure that climate change was human induced, that this change was already massive but that we could still reverse the curve.
Three main ideas :
Climate change is a real threat to human wellbeing and health of the planet
It is already causing serious arm, everywhere
Taking action now can secure our future but the window is narrowing (la clepsydre, sors !)
Let's deep dive inside the consequences of climate change in the report :
Urgent action required to deal with increasing risks
Scientists of IPCC say that human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption in nature and affecting the lives of billions of people around the world, despite efforts to reduce the risks. People and ecosystems least able to cope are being hardest hit.
“This report is a dire warning about the consequences of inaction,” said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC. “It shows that climate change is a grave and mounting threat to our wellbeing and a healthy planet. Our actions today will shape how people adapt and nature responds to increasing climate risks.”
The world faces unavoidable multiple climate hazards over the next two decades with global warming of 1.5°C. Even temporarily exceeding this warming level will result in additional severe impacts, some of which will be irreversible. Risks for society will increase, including to infrastructure and low-lying coastal settlements.
Increased heatwaves, droughts and floods are already exceeding plants’ and animals’ tolerance thresholds, driving mass mortalities in species such as trees and corals. These weather extremes are occurring simultaneously, causing cascading impacts that are increasingly difficult to manage.
They have exposed millions of people to acute food and water insecurity, especially in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, on Small Islands and in the Arctic.
Safeguarding and strengthening nature is key to securing a livable future
To avoid mounting loss of life, biodiversity and infrastructure, ambitious, accelerated action is required to adapt to climate change, at the same time as making rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. So far, progress on adaptation is uneven and there are increasing gaps between action taken and what is needed to deal with the increasing risks, the new report finds. These gaps are largest among lower-income populations.
“This report recognizes the interdependence of climate, biodiversity and people and integrates natural, social and economic sciences more strongly than earlier IPCC assessments,” said Hoesung Lee. “It emphasizes the urgency of immediate and more ambitious action to address climate risks. Half measures are no longer an option.”
There are options to adapt to a changing climate. This report provides new insights into nature’s potential not only to reduce climate risks but also to improve people's lives.
Scientists point out that climate change interacts with global trends such as unsustainable use of natural resources, growing urbanization, social inequalities, losses and damages from extreme events and a pandemic, jeopardizing future development.
Cities: Hotspots of impacts and risks, but also a crucial part of the solution
This report provides a detailed assessment of climate change impacts, risks and adaptation in cities, where more than half the world’s population lives. People’s health, lives and livelihoods, as well as property and critical infrastructure, including energy and transportation systems, are being increasingly adversely affected by hazards from heatwaves, storms, drought and flooding as well as slow-onset changes, including sea level rise.
But cities also provide opportunities for climate action – green buildings, reliable supplies of clean water and renewable energy, and sustainable transport systems that connect urban and rural areas can all lead to a more inclusive, fairer society.
A narrowing window for action
The report clearly states Climate Resilient Development is already challenging at current warming levels. It will become more limited if global warming exceeds 1.5°C. In some regions it will be impossible if global warming exceeds 2°C. This key finding underlines the urgency for climate action, focusing on equity and justice. Adequate funding, technology transfer, political commitment and partnership lead to more effective climate change adaptation and emissions reductions.
Ready to drop weapons or other stupid things and act for a real change ?
See the whole report for policy makers here (38 pages)
Sustainable fashionistas
by Phil
Italy has always been to me the capital of fashion. I’ve never seen so many elegant men or women in Milan for example. So you won’t be surprised I’ll talk about something related to fashion, startup, and Italy, right?
The first startup incubator ever created was located in Silicon Valley, it’s called Ycombinator, and it’s been a great source of inspiration worldwide. Not with the same success though, and on my opinion not with the same class. Not everyone has Paul Graham’s genes to set up something unique.
Back to Italy. I was invited by a local startup incubator from Milan, Italy, and I noticed a few interesting startups part of them to give some hope than real sustainable initiatives exist inside of the fashion ecosystem (not just counting some carbon stuff around).
THR3EFOLD is helping brands be more ethical & sustainable with training and a tech platform to source factories and manage production. Based in New York, founded in 2015 by Jessica Kelly, THR3EFOLD is the only platform that gives users access to an international database of ethically certified factories, product management software, and training to ensure apparel brands are able to make informed decisions.
Apparel & accessory brands of all sizes can join as an annual member for unlimited access to our global database of ethically certified factories. Members can peruse factories profiles, request pricing, and manage their production alongside their factory in a cloud based production tracker.
What’s next? “I’m currently working on securing investment and in conversations with big name brands to secure as many members on our platform, along with setting up likeminded strategic partners to help us grow. As we prepare for this next stage of growth, we are building a sustainability resource center to further train and connect brands to sustainable resources, as well as expanding the platform to include sustainable textile mills so brands can source fabric and factories all in one place with standards they can trust.”, says Kelly.
The ID Factory is a data centric platform for the fashion industry supporting brands in easily managing their supply chains through track and trace of materials and processes. Founded in 2015 and based in Arzignano, an industrial town in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy.
Its Supply Chain platform addresses 4 important challenges that businesses face:
Lack of traceability
Less than 10% of brand have complete 100% knowledge about the full supply chain. Very few stakeholders have all the information below tier 2 and tier 3.
Lack of transparency
30 of 200 fashion brands published their processing facilities further down the supply chain, and 10 brands published some of their raw material suppliers. Nothing can be changed without reliable and accurate data: The ID Factory provides and structures them, measuring what really matters.
Supply chain disruption risk
Only 9% of supply chain executive said that they could assess the impact of disruption within hours. The ID Factory give to brands complete and transparent information throwout their entire value chain.
Supply chain sustainability risk
The UN Guidelines and the upcoming Due Diligence Law make it explicit that brands are responsible human rights violations and the environmental impact along their value chain. The ID Factory supports brands in mapping their suppliers and monitoring their environmental and social performance.
The company has already collaborated with companies such as Geox, Tommy Hilfiger, Boss, Calvin Klein and Tamaris.
Quick hits. A BIG ONE. Help Ukraine!
I guess you all know about the situation in Ukraine, and the aggression of Russia. Half a million of Ukrainians left the country in terrible conditions, civilians were killed all over the country, and the rest is waiting what goes next.
You probably found around you ways to send money to some Ukrainian organization, to help Ukrainian migrants from the ground, to tweet or whatever: what’s going on in Ukraine concerns EVERYONE.
Putin must be stopped by any mean. Please help any way you can. Thank you.
Bonus track by Anthony
(because we are standing on the edge…)
You can access the full nouveau monde playlist here on Spotify.
I do.