Thematic Approaches

To analyze SSCM in the fast fashion industry, this study compares the sustainability reports of H&M and Everlane, industry leaders with strong sustainability messaging. This comparison reveals that fast fashion has failed to sufficiently engage upstream and downstream stakeholders in their SSCM strategies. Moving forward, fast fashion companies should incentivize collaboration towards more comprehensive SSCM policies throughout the supply chain. 

The main goal of this paper is to review the state of the apparel and footwear industry as it relates to automation, employment and gender issues in context of the ILO-EU project “Building Partnerships on the Future of Work” project.

This research paper present the summary of an assignment conducted for the Department of Work and Social Economy of the Flemish Government, with support from the Flemish policy research centre Circular Economy. The goal of this research paper is to investigate the impact of the transition to a more circular economy in Flanders on employment. In order to be able to estimate this impact, we firstly want to understand what “the circular economy” actually means and how we can demarcate it at NACE-code level.

This report aims to inspire and inform a conversation about how we might reimagine and intentionally design a truly just and sustainable fashion system. The circular fashion industry offers environmental benefits, but also has the potential to negatively impact jobs. While some jobs might disappear due to automation, new opportunities will emerge in areas like repair and resale. These new jobs will require different skillsets compared to traditional garment industry jobs.

This study explores how a shift towards a circular economy could create jobs, particularly in areas with high unemployment and declining mid-level occupations. Analyzing different growth scenarios, the research suggests even a modest expansion could create over 200,000 jobs by 2030 in the UK, potentially lowering unemployment and mitigating skilled job losses. A more ambitious circular economy could generate even greater employment opportunities.

This paper primarily focuses on potential negative social impacts of environmental (transition) policies – with regard to jobs/workers and regions as well as consumers/households – and ways to mitigate such impacts on a European and national level. Moreover, the paper focuses on intra-EU socioeconomic effects and distributional justice rather than international, procedural or recognitional justice. The whole paper is based on a review of existing research literature and policy documents.

At the request of The European Commission EEA has produced EU country profiles that offer an updated view of circular economy policies being implemented at a national level with a particular focus on elements that go beyond EU mandatory elements, and best practice with a focus on policy innovation. While implementing the EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP 2020), Member States are encouraged to advance circularity at a national level by adopting policies and initiatives that go beyond EU regulations, while preserving the Single Market.

The indicator is part of the Circular Economy indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards a circular economy on the thematic area of 'competitiveness and innovation'. Innovation and investments (on eco-design, on secondary raw materials, on recycling processes and on industrial symbiosis) are a key element of the transition to a circular economy. The circular economy can make a significant contribution to the creation of jobs and economic growth.

This document from the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform outlines a system for categorizing activities that contribute to a circular economy. The aim is to provide a foundation for efforts like defining the impacts of circular models or measuring risk reduction. The system focuses on two main areas: extending product lifespans through reuse, repair, refurbishment, etc., and optimizing product use through leasing and sharing models.

The Informal Economy Monitoring Study (IEMS) is designed to provide in-depth understanding of how informal workers are affected by and respond to economic trends, urban policies and practices, value chain dynamics, and other economic and social forces.