Cambodia, Costa Rica, India, Ecuador, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago have joined forces to launch a $45-million, six-year initiative [1] aimed at reducing hazardous chemicals in the fashion and construction industries. The initiative is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
This ambitious program, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), seeks to transform supply chains by promoting sustainable materials, resource-efficient production, and improved post-use collection.
The initiative, which leverages an additional $295 million in funding, aims to prevent the release of 6 million metric tons of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and restore 825,000 hectares of land by 2031. The fashion and construction sectors are among the world’s most chemical-intensive industries, with the construction sector being the largest end-market for chemicals and textile production, requiring an average of 0.58 kg of chemicals per kilogram of material produced.
The program will drive improvements in policy, innovation, stakeholder engagement, and access to finance across all stages of the supply chain. It will empower women, youth, and local communities by integrating indigenous knowledge, revitalizing local economies, and identifying sustainable materials and practices. The initiative also aims to strengthen South-South cooperation and regional collaboration, reducing the risk of burden-shifting and transforming fashion and construction from sources of environmental harm into drivers of positive change.
Cambodia’s Minister of Environment highlighted the country’s move away from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status as an opportunity to enhance its industrial sectors and ensure a more sustainable economic future. By participating in the program, Cambodia aims to safeguard the environment and public health while strengthening its position in the global market and attracting foreign investment.
The GEF CEO and chairperson, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, expressed pride in supporting bold leadership in the fashion and construction industries to pursue supply chains with fewer dangerous chemicals and lower carbon footprints. The initiative reflects the interconnected nature of the world’s environmental challenges and the transformative potential of the GEF’s integrated approach to addressing pollution, climate change, and nature loss.
Sources:
[1] New initiative aims to reduce environmental impact of fashion, construction industries in eight countries https://www.thegef.org/newsroom/news/new-initiative-aims-reduce-environmental-impact-fashion-construction-industries-eight
