Apparel Online India Magazine November 1st Issue 2018 | Page 18

SUSTAINABILITY HAVE YOUR SAY BREAKING NEWS Tell us your news by emailing at [email protected] To read the latest sustainability news, go to https://apparelresources.com/business-news/sustainability/  Gap partners with IFC to cut energy use in Pakistan textile sector The International Finance Corp., a division of the World Bank, has teamed up with the renowned US apparel firm Gap Inc. in order to improve resource efficiency in the company’s Pakistan operations. The agreement that is first of its kind in Pakistan textile industry will evaluate the use of resources at the Gap Inc’s supplier factories in the country and help them implement efficiency measures so as to lower the use of water, energy, chemicals as well as other resources. This will further help Gap to improve competitiveness as well as sustainability. Christina Nicholson, Director, Environmental Impact, Global Sustainability at Gap Inc. mentioned, “Gap Inc. continues to invest in water, energy and resource efficiency programs that improve environmental and business performance. In partnership with IFC, this program will address key impact areas, improve performance and deliver on our environmental impact reduction commitments.” This agreement is a part of IFC’s global efforts to encourage resource efficiency measures in the private sector which provides savings for the companies, improves the competitiveness globally and significantly reduces environmental impacts. The Pakistan agreement draws on knowledge and best practices from IFC’s Program for Cleaner Textiles (PaCT) implemented in Bangladesh textile sector in 2017. Nadeem Siddiqui, Country Manager, IFC Pakistan said, “Reducing the consumption of resources is key to improving efficiency and increasing productivity. We hope to replicate PaCT’s success in Pakistan and demonstrate the importance and benefits of such measures in helping to improve sustainability and mitigate climate change.” Ethiopia needs to focus on sustainable textile production Ethiopia needs to bolster its efforts of being one of major textile and garment hubs in the world by focusing on sustainable production. Ulrich Plein, Manager, Sustainable Textile Program (eTex) and International Water Stewardship Program (IWaSP), while appreciating Government’s efforts to promote apparel and textile sector in the country, said this, further adding that Ethiopia needs to brand itself as one of the sustainable partners in the apparel and textile sector. eTex and IWaSP are being implemented in partnership with German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). It is important 18 Apparel Online India | NOVEMBER 1-15, 2018 | www.apparelresources.com to note here that the German Government’s program for sustainable production of apparel and textiles aims at providing institutional support to Ethiopian apparel firms. Notably, e-Tex is at present working with local firms in Ethiopia to help them achieve the required environmental and social standards so that these firms are easily able to venture into the international market and get buyers. Plein also said that two private training centres have been set up at Mekelle and Hawassa industrial parks for providing training to workers in private sector and thereby enhancing quality and efficiency.