On November 17, 2020, with the support from GIZ, Aii hosted the Fashion Industry Green Forum & 2020 CbD Award Ceremony. It was the first time that the CbD award event was held online. There were 71 attendees in total, including 37 representatives from 23 suppliers (manufacturers, traders), 22 representatives from 12 global brands and retailers, and eight representatives from industry organizations and partners.
GIZ delivered the opening speech on behalf of the meeting organizer, highlighted that GIZ is working to accelerate sustainability in China, and tightly collaborate with Aii in green programs including CbD and others. Mr. Lewis Perkins, President of Aii, gave a welcome speech as the meeting co-organizer.
The green forum was carried out with the below topics, delivered by special guests invited from several top professional organizations within the sustainability scope:
- Keynote 1: Introduction of Textile Industrial Green Supply Chain Index / By CCIID guest
- Keynote 2: Trend of Fashion Industry Green Transformation and SBTi / By WRI AR guest
- Keynote 3: The New Green Standard for Fashion Industry / By CNTAC guest
- Keynote 4: Carbon Neutral Need Supply Chain Actions / By IPE guest
The event also held an online award ceremony for 24 mills that successfully completed the 2018 Wave II program. All attendees witnessed their program achievements. Aii issued the certificates to the representatives of these mills who received CbD Excellence Award (11 mills) and CbD Participation Award (13 mills). Despite the special circumstances of 2020, lots of mills continued their pursuit of green development and adhered to engaging in energy saving, water saving, and carbon reduction. Most Aii brand partners continued to attach great value to the supply chain improvement opportunities offered by CbD.
Four representatives from CbD participating mills shared their best practices and programs, achievements and difficulties faced including common concerns, support needed, and future plans at the meeting. Two international brand representatives shared their visions in brand sustainability efforts, the importance and need for suppliers to improve resource utilization, carbon efficiency, and reduce pollution through CbD – a designated mill impact program.
Photo Credit: GIZ