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INDUSTRY ISSUE: SUSTAINABILITY
The
change makers Helena Mansell-Stopher, founder of Products of Change as well as conference director and curator of November’s inaugural Sustainability in Licensing Conference, highlights some of the latest developments across the licensing industry, as new ways of sustainable working continue to be introduced.
I
sit here on World Environment Day (Friday June 5) looking back at the last few months. Society and business have been disrupted beyond belief, but on the flip side of this is just how quickly we have adapted. With us not being able to travel, the world is experiencing the sharpest drop in carbon output since records began, globally down 17% and a staggering 31% reduction for the UK. This reduction (though I understand short lived) shows that when we change our habits, we can make a positive impact on the environment. The largest societal change we are experiencing is our working environment. For decades many have been pushing for more flexible working around families, mental health and wellbeing with companies not trusting enough to release the shackles to increase working from home. On average companies spend around 10% of annual turnover on rent; imagine if this saving could be transferred to looking at more sustainable business practices for the future. Throughout the last three months, the Products of Change network has continued connecting and looking at how we drive sustainable change within the industry. One of our latest developments has been to create a working group within packaging signposting, to align across multiple industries, NGOs and retail. The group will form a lobbying committee direct to central government. Peter Rooke, cmo at Change Plastic for
Above: The Products of Change network has been holding regular Zoom meetings throughout lockdown.them. Below: Lyfcycle sources and manufactures solely from recycled and or sustainable materials.
Good, is leading this group and comments: “We all have seen the positive impact that people can make when they are inspired by making a change. For all our futures we need to reduce and improve the type of packaging of all products we consume. I’m delighted to be able to lead the packaging group of POC to ensure we provide the future insight and resources on how our industry can lead the world in reusing, recycling and biodegrading all packaging materials.” As many are aware, fashion is the second most polluting industry: 10% of global carbon emissions stem from the industry and a staggering 85% of all clothing ends up in landfill or incinerated. There is also a severe lack of transparency; if we don’t have full LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020
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