House of Commons

Environmental Audit Committee

Interim Report on the

Sustainability of the
Fashion Industry
Fifteenth Report of Session 2017–19

Report, together with formal minutes relating

to the report

Ordered by the House of Commons

to be printed 29 January 2019

HC 1148
Published on 31 January 2019
by authority of the House of Commons
Environmental Audit Committee
The Environmental Audit Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to
consider to what extent the policies and programmes of government departments
and non-departmental public bodies contribute to environmental protection and
sustainable development; to audit their performance against such targets as may be
set for them by Her Majesty’s Ministers; and to report thereon to the House.

Current membership
Mary Creagh MP (Labour, Wakefield) (Chair)
Colin Clark MP (Conservative, Gordon)
Dr Thérèse Coffey MP (Conservative, Suffolk Coastal)
Geraint Davies MP (Labour (Co-op), Swansea West)
Mr Philip Dunne MP (Conservative, Ludlow)
Zac Goldsmith MP (Conservative, Richmond Park)
Mr Robert Goodwill MP (Conservative, Scarborough and Whitby)
James Gray MP (Conservative, North Wiltshire)
Caroline Lucas MP (Green Party, Brighton, Pavilion)
Kerry McCarthy MP (Labour, Bristol East)
Anna McMorrin MP (Labour, Cardiff North)
John McNally MP (Scottish National Party, Falkirk)
Dr Matthew Offord MP (Conservative, Hendon)
Dr Dan Poulter MP (Conservative, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Joan Ryan MP (Labour, Enfield North)
Alex Sobel MP (Labour (Co-op), Leeds North West)

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principally in SO No 152A. These are available on the internet via www.parliament.uk.

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Evidence relating to this report is published on the inquiry publications page of the
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Committee staff

The current staff of the Committee are Lloyd Owen (Clerk), Leoni Kurt (Second Clerk),
Ruth Cahir (Committee Specialist), Nicholas Davies (Committee Specialist), Laura Grant
(Committee Specialist), Laura Scott (Committee Specialist), Jonathan Wright (Senior
Committee Assistant), Baris Tufekci (Committee Assistant), Anne Peacock (Media
Officer) and Simon Horswell (Media Officer).

Contacts

All correspondence should be addressed to the Clerk of the Environmental Audit

Committee, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. The telephone number for general
enquiries is 020 7219 5777; the Committee’s email address is eacom@parliament.uk.
You can follow the Committee on Twitter using @CommonsEAC.
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  1

Contents
Summary3

1 Fashion Retailers’ Responses 5

Table of retailers’ responses 5
Evidence from retailers 6
Engaged retailers 6
Participation in labour market initiatives 7
Participation in sustainability initiatives 8
Moderately engaged retailers 8
Participation in labour market initiatives 9
Participation in sustainability initiatives 9
Less engaged retailers 9
Participation in labour market initiatives 10
Conclusion12

Annex 1: Table of retailers’ responses 14

Annex 2: Glossary 16

Formal minutes 22

Witnesses23

Published written evidence 24

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament 27

   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  3

Summary
1. As part of our inquiry into the sustainability of the fashion industry, we heard
evidence outlining the urgent need for the fashion industry to address its labour market
and environmental sustainability issues. In autumn 2018 we wrote to sixteen leading
UK fashion retailers to ask what steps they are taking to reduce the environmental and
social impact of the clothes and shoes they sell. We used data on market share published
by Global Data in its industry report, The UK Clothing Market, 2018–2023 to identify
the top ten fashion retailers. We also asked four leading online retailers to answer
similar questions following evidence at our first hearing about illegally low wages for
garment workers and the disposability of some ‘fast fashion’ garments. Several of these
retailers had been named in evidence linked to low pay in Leicester but the committee
also used data on ‘share of voice’ compiled by Pi Datametrics. In addition, we wrote to
two leading luxury UK fashion brands, Burberry and Kurt Geiger, following reports of
stock burning by luxury brands.1

2. We were impressed with the level of engagement by some retailers. Others expressed
openness to engaging on these issues and have taken some small steps. A few retailers,
unfortunately, do not seem to consider social and environmental responsibility as a
priority. One, Kurt Geiger, did not reply at all. We acknowledge that some retailers have
not signed up to the specific initiatives which we have considered but are taking other
measures to address these issues within their organisations.

3. We believe that there is scope for retailers to do much more to tackle labour market
and environmental sustainability issues. We are disappointed that so few retailers are
showing leadership through engagement with industry initiatives.

4. This is an interim report on the sustainability of the fashion industry. We will

publish a final report shortly.

1 Global Data, (July 2018) The UK Clothing Market 2018–2023; Pi Datametrics, (October 2018), Q3, Pi
Leaderboard Report, UK, Fashion Retail, September 2015 - October 2018.
1 Fashion Retailers’ Responses
Table of retailers’ responses

Sustainability actions Sustainability initiatives Labour Market Initiatives

Use of organic Commitment to

SCAP - or sustainable ZDHC - Zero Climate SAC - SEDEX -
Sustainable cotton (e.g. Use of recycled Discharge of In store take Change Risk Sustainable Reuse or ACT - Action, ETI - Ethical Supplier
Clothing Action BCI, material in Hazardous back scheme Reporting Apparel Microfibre Make Fashion recycling of Collaboration, Trading Ethical Data
Retailer Plan Cotton2040) products Chemicals or textile banks (TCFD) Coalition Initiative Circular unsold stock Transformation Initiative Exchange

Engaged

ASOS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Burberry No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No
Paused

  Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

Marks and Spencer Group PLC Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes

Tesco PLC Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
In discussions

Primark Stores Ltd. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Moderately engaged

Arcadia Group Yes Yes No No Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes No No

Asda Stores Ltd. No No No No Yes No Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes

Debenhams No Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No

Next PLC Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No

Less engaged

Amazon UK No No No No No No No No No Yes No No Yes

Boohoo Group No Yes No No No No No No Yes No No Yes

In disscussions

JD Sports Fashion PLC No No No No No No No No No Yes No No No

Missguided Ltd. No No No No No No No No No Yes No Yes Yes

Sports Direct International PLC

No No Yes No No Yes No Yes No Yes No No Yes
(See Annex 1, Note 4)
TJX Europe (TK Maxx and
No No No No Yes No No No No Yes No No No
HomeSense)

Kurt Geiger X X X X X X X X X X X X X

5
6   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

Overview
5. Fashion is big business in the UK. We buy more clothes per person in the UK than any
other country in Europe.2 The fashion industry was worth £32.3 billion to the UK economy
in 2017.3 Concerns have been raised throughout our inquiry into the sustainability of
the fashion industry that the current ‘fast fashion’ business model is encouraging over-
consumption and generating excessive waste.4 Many such garments are relatively cheap
and aimed at consumers who are encouraged to change their wardrobe on a regular, trend
driven, basis.5

6. During our inquiry, we heard worrying evidence about labour practices in factories
supplying UK fast fashion and e-retailers, particularly in Leicester. Leicester has the second
highest concentration of textile manufacturers in the country and 10,000 textile workers.6
Unite the Union, said that Leicester is a garment manufacturing hub with 700 textile
factories producing around one million items of clothing per week for online retailers.7
Unite says that while the majority of factories are compliant, there remain a small number
of factories which side-step the law to maximise profits. The ‘fast fashion’ clothing market
is characterised by intense cost competition and unpredictable demand.8

Evidence from retailers

7. In autumn 2018 we wrote to sixteen leading UK fashion retailers to request information
on the steps they are taking to reduce the environmental and social impact of the clothes
and shoes they sell. We first wrote to the UK’s top ten fashion retailers by market share in
October. Following worrying evidence we heard, about garment factories in Leicester not
paying the minimum wage, we wrote to four online retailers. We also requested evidence
from two luxury retailers.

8. We received fifteen responses. Kurt Geiger was the sole company we approached
which did not engage with the Committee’s work. We are grateful to the retailers for their
responses and engagement with the inquiry.

9. We put a number of questions to retailers regarding labour supply concerns and

environmental sustainability issues heard during the inquiry’s evidence sessions. From the
responses received, oral evidence supplied by a number of the retailers, and other research,
we have examined each retailer’s engagement with labour market and environmental
sustainability initiatives and provide an overview here. See above for a table of responses.

Engaged retailers
10. Of the retailers we wrote to, ASOS, Burberry, Marks and Spencer (M&S), Primark
and Tesco (engaged retailers) appeared to be the most engaged on sustainability issues.
They are participating in most of the leading industry initiatives. They have all made

2 European Clothing Action Plan, (March 2018).Used Textile Collection in European Cities,
3 British Fashion Council (2018) London Fashion Week September 2018 Facts and Figures.
4 Phoebe English (SFI0055); Fashion Revolution (SFI0056); TRAID (Textile Reuse & International Development)
(SFI0010); Professor Tim Cooper (SFI0049); ECO AGE LTD (SFI0075)
5 Professor Tim Cooper (SFI0049)
6 Letter from the Mayor of Leicester Sir Peter Soulsby to the Chair (21 Dec 2018)
7 Unite the Union (SFI0084)
8 Unite the Union (SFI0084)
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  7

specific commitments to reduce the environmental footprint of their products, either as

members of SCAP or independently, in Burberry’s case. We were particularly pleased by
the comprehensiveness of the responses received from ASOS, Burberry, and Primark.

Participation in labour market initiatives

11. Each of the ‘engaged retailers’ is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), an
alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs which aims to ensure retailers improve the
working conditions of people who make their products and engages in auditing of their
supply chain. In its submission, Tesco acknowledged the limitations of this system:

Whilst independent audits are helpful they can be limited in their ability
to facilitate improvement, so we have a 40-strong in-house team of labour
standards experts based across key Asian sourcing countries, visiting
factories every day.9

ASOS acknowledged that there are particular problems with sourcing from UK factories
and is a member of Fast Forward, an industry initiative to tackle UK supply chain issues.
These issues include a lack of management systems and knowledge of labour laws, which
can lead to poor working conditions, and subcontracting which makes it difficult for
retailers to identify where products are produced.10

12. ASOS, Tesco and Primark are members of Action, Collaboration, Transformation
(ACT), an initiative between retailers and the IndustriALL union working towards living
wages for garment workers globally. ASOS was also the first online retailer to sign a Global
Framework Agreement with IndustriALL, signing up to the best possible standards on
trade union rights, on health and safety, and on the labour relations by the company in
its global operations.11 M&S and Burberry have not signed up to the initiative. Although
not a member of ACT, Burberry says it has taken steps to establish collective bargaining
in its supply chain with 77% of third-party goods manufacturers and 75% of key raw
material suppliers covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). Where CBAs are
not in place, Burberry uses the Fair Wage Network’s Living Wage Database to address any
inconsistencies in wages.12

13. M&S uses separate measures to address labour issues in its supply chain. The retailer
says that it requires direct suppliers with over 50 workers to have a worker committee
or trade union.13 Its Plan A People Principles also says that it ‘respect[s] the principle of
collective bargaining’.14 Under questioning by the Committee, M&S stated that it engages
with workers through Business Involvement Groups:

For our 85,000 colleagues we work very, very closely with business through
business involvement groups. They have a really good voice in the direction
of travel of the Marks and Spencer business. [ … ] We have nothing to hide.

9 Tesco - F&F (SFI0074)

10 ASOS (SFI0080)
11 ASOS (October 2017), Press Release: ASOS signs Global Framework Agreement with IndustriALL.
12 Burberry Limited (SFI0083)
13 M&S (2017), Our approach to Human Rights, p. 32.
14 M&S, Plan A: M&S People Principles, p. 2.
8   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

We absolutely support the need for freedom of association in supply chains,

absolutely in terms of the audits that we do. We are working with worker
representatives to understand the reality of what is going on in the factory.15

We note that M&S was initially involved in ACT but decided not to participate.

14. Recent media reports that workers in some garment factories producing clothing
for M&S and Tesco, amongst other, are working up to 16 hours a day and being paid as
little as 35p per hour, raise serious concerns.16 We also note the wider political context in
Bangladesh which saw widespread protests from garment workers over low wages in early
January 2019.17

Participation in sustainability initiatives

15. All five ‘engaged retailers’ are working toward ambitious sustainability targets, by
industry standards. M&S says it is aiming to source 50 key raw materials, representing
80% of materials used by volume, from ‘sustainable sources’ by 2025. Primark’s long-term
goal is to source all cotton in their supply chain sustainably and they have established a
sustainable cotton programme with supply chain managers CottonConnect. They also
called for a strengthening of government initiatives such as SCAP and the introduction of
compulsory take-back schemes.18 ASOS is committed to 60% of raw materials for ASOS
products to be sustainably sourced by 2020 and is working toward 100% by 2025. Burberry
is aiming to become carbon neutral and source 100% of its cotton through the Better
Cotton Initiative (BCI) by 2022. Tesco has pledged to adopt 100% sustainable cotton by the
end of 2019 and 100% recycled polyester by 2030. We welcome Tesco’s ambitious targets
to demonstrate that it is possible to integrate high volumes of sustainable and recycled
fabrics into supply chains.19

16. We were keen to question retailers about their policies for unsold stock in the light of
reports detailing Burberry’s incineration of £28.6m of stock in 2017.20 We heard evidence
that ‘the Burberry stock-burning example has exposed only the tip of the iceberg’.21 We
were told by the retailers that they do not destroy unsold stock unless there is a health and
safety reason for doing so. Schemes outlined to tackle unsold stock include discounting
through outlet stores, donating to charity and rebranding for sale through third parties. We
welcome Burberry’s commitment to end incineration and acknowledge that the company
is engaged with a range of other sustainability initiatives to reduce its environmental
impact.22

Moderately engaged retailers

17. We received responses from Arcadia Group, Asda Group, Debenhams and Next
Retail that showed each retailer has taken some steps to address labour market and

15 Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), Sustainability of the fashion industry, Qq127–128

16 The Guardian (20 January 2019), Revealed: Spice Girls T-shirts made in factory paying staff 35p an hour.
17 The Guardian (14 January 2019), Bangladesh strikes: thousands of garment workers clash with police over poor
pay.
18 Primark Limited (SFI0062)
19 Tesco - F&F (SFI0074)
20 BBC (19 July 2018), Burberry burns bags, clothes and perfume worth millions.
21 Fashion Revolution (SFI0056)
22 Burberry Limited (SFI0083)
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  9

environmental sustainability issues. Debenhams particularly deserve credit for the

range of programmes it is involved in and its intention to have in-store Corporate Social
Responsibility Ambassadors.23 We acknowledge these efforts but believe these retailers
have the potential to go further.

Participation in labour market initiatives

18. We are encouraged by these ‘moderately engaged retailers’ engagement with labour
industry initiatives. All excluding Asda are members of ACT. Debenhams also participates
in Swasti LIFE, a programme to empower workers in its Indian supply chain, and The
China Collaboration which addresses critical issues in its China supply base.24 Each
retailer, except for Arcadia, is also a member of ETI. At our retailer evidence session,
Jamie Beck, Head of Supplier Management at Arcadia, commented that, ‘we have a strong
fashion footprint programme, an ethical trading programme, which we have had for
many years’.25

Participation in sustainability initiatives

19. Arcadia and Next are both members of the SCAP initiative. Although not a member of
SCAP, Debenhams has signed up to the ‘Better Retail, Better World’ pledge which focuses
on issues of ‘modern slavery, decent work, sustainable economic growth, inequalities,
climate change, responsible consumption and production.’26 Debenhams and Asda run
take-back schemes in store. In oral evidence, Arcadia confirmed its take back scheme is
limited to its head office and flagship Oxford Circus store.27 Next does not run a take-back
scheme.

20. Debenhams makes use of the recycled fibre REPREVE in its sustainable products.28
Both Next and Arcadia say they are investigating using greater amounts of recycled cotton
and polyester in the future. Next identified the cost of recycled cotton as a key barrier to
using recycled cotton. Arcadia highlighted the limited availability of recycled fabrics as a
factor.29 Asda said they do not currently have the facility to measure recycled content in
their products.30

21. We recognise the efforts of these retailers and the steps taken on labour market and
sustainability issues to date, but we believe these retailers have the potential to do more.

Less engaged retailers

22. Our analysis highlights that a number of retailers have not prioritised sustainability
in their company policies. This included online retailers Amazon UK, Boohoo and
Missguided along with traditional retailers JD Sports, Sports Direct and TK Maxx

23 Debenhams (2019), Corporate Social Responsibility.

24 Debenhams plc (SFI0061)
25 EAC, Sustainability of the fashion industry, Q143.
26 Debenhams plc (SFI0061). Better Retail Better World is mobilising the retail industry to meet some of the
biggest global challenges of the coming decades using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a
framework.
27 Arcadia Group Ltd. (SFI0065); EAC, Sustainability of the fashion industry, Q178, Q185.
28 Debenhams plc (SFI0061)
29 Next plc (SFI0063); Arcadia Group Ltd. (SFI0065)
30 Asda (SFI0066)
10   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

(‘less engaged retailers’). We accept that TK Maxx and Amazon UK are subsidiaries of
international corporations who manage their initiatives, however, this does not absolve
them of responsibility given their role in the UK fashion industry. The lack of engagement
from Amazon was particularly notable. We received a two-page response which did not
engage substantively with the questions posed. While we understand that Amazon is a
logistics provider and a seller on behalf of other businesses, Amazon UK is a growing
member of the UK fashion industry, with own label brands and as a patron of the British
Fashion Council. Its size, online reach and potential for growth as a fashion retailer means
it will have to engage more seriously with its sustainability responsibilities in future.31

Participation in labour market initiatives

23. During our inquiry, we heard worrying evidence regarding labour practices in
factories supplying UK fast fashion and e-retailers, particularly in Leicester. At our first
hearing journalist Sarah O’Connor told us, ‘the going rate for a garment worker in lots of
places in Leicester is £3.50, £4 an hour. I was told that £5 was like a really top rate.’32None
of these retailers are members of ACT. Missguided is the only ‘less engaged retailer’ which
is a member of ETI and was critical that its ‘direct competitors’ have not also joined.33

24. In its submission, Missguided acknowledged that ‘there are significant issues in
Leicester with compliance to UK employment law and ensuring workers are paid the
minimum wage.’34 ETI confirmed Missguided is actively participating in its Leicester
Working Group. As part of its work with the ETI, Missguided has banned cash payments,
stopped working with 60 factories in Leicester and funds a whistleblowing helpline.35 We
recognise that Missguided is engaged on this issue and acknowledge the efforts they have
made, particularly in Leicester.

25. At our hearing with fashion retailers, Carol Kane, co-founder and joint Chief
Executive of Boohoo, confirmed the retailer works with 94 suppliers and 76 cut, make and
trim units (CMT) in Leicester.36 They also have a sourcing and compliance team based in
Leicester. The retailer is not a member of ETI.37 At our evidence session, we questioned
Carol Kane on Boohoo’s reluctance to join ETI. She said that, ‘ … we have been struggling
to see where the benefits would be to some of our suppliers. We are not closed to the idea.’38

26. When we pressed Carol Kane on why Boohoo Group would not sign up to the ETI,
Ms Kane replied:

… we are using all of the same standards. We are not doing anything
differently from the ETI. All our audits and all our standards are based
upon their code and their conduct, so we are utilising all of that. The only

31 Amazon (SFI0078); Pi Datametrics, Q3 and Q4 Pi Leaderboard Report, UK, Fashion Retail, September 2015 -
December 2018.
32 EAC, Sustainability of the fashion industry, Qq47–48.
33 Missguided Ltd. (SFI0076)
34 Missguided Ltd. (SFI0076)
35 Ethical Trading Initiative (SFI0089)
36 EAC, Sustainability of the fashion industry, Qq284–285.
37 Boohoo Group plc (SFI0082)
38 EAC, Sustainability of the fashion industry, Q328.
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  11

difference today is one of a commercial decision. Being members we will be

required to publish our whole supply chain, which is currently our engine
room.39

27. ETI subsequently disputed this assessment. They said that Boohoo’s assessment
was ‘based on a limited understanding of what ETI does and what we expect from our
members.’40 ETI said that adoption of its labour standards (the ETI Basecode) is just one
of the basic requirements for company membership and that it also expects members ‘to
show active engagement around the core principles of ethical trade and to demonstrate
continuous improvement in their supply chain practices.’41 ETI further said it expects
its members ‘to take a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues, and to
demonstrate clear improvement over time.’42

28. At our evidence session with retailers, we questioned the joint Chief Executive, Carol
Kane, about union recognition within Boohoo. She told us that Boohoo would recognise a
union ‘if the workers would like it’ but that ‘there does not currently appear to be a demand
for our workers in our Burnley warehouse to require a union’.43 Following this session, the
union, Usdaw, provided a written submission contesting Boohoo’s evidence. This included
a timeline dating back to January 2017 outlining 23 recruitment and awareness activities
for Boohoo’s Burnley staff and written communications to Carol Kane and Boohoo’s HR
Director to secure union recognition for Boohoo workers. They said:

Overall, it is clear that despite Carol Kane’s assertion to the committee that
Boohoo is open to recognising a trade union to represent their workers,
the company has, over a prolonged period of time refused even the most
basic level of engagement with Usdaw and appears hostile to the very idea
of recognising a trade union.44

We recommend that Boohoo engage with Usdaw as a priority and recognise unions for
its workers.

29. We were also concerned about the buying practices of e-retailers and reports of
samples meetings being ‘like a cattle market’.45 In their written evidence, both Missguided
and Boohoo stated that they do not allow buyers to order from suppliers at any price and
that they provide training on costing. Missguided said that, ‘we simply do not allow our
buyers to order from suppliers at any price and have invested in significant and robust
training to ensure colleagues have a deep insight into manufacturing costs.’46

30. Responding to allegations raised at our first hearing Boohoo admitted that
negotiations were carried out in front of other suppliers but denied that manufacturers
were played off against each other. Carol Kane told us, ‘I do not know of any instances and

39 EAC, Sustainability of the fashion industry, Q328, Q330.

40 Ethical Trading Initiative (SFI0089)
41 Ethical Trading Initiative (SFI0089)
42 Ethical Trading Initiative (SFI0089)
43 EAC, Sustainability of the fashion industry, Qq336–339.
44 USDAW (SFI0096)
45 Financial Times, Dark factories: labour exploitation in Britain’s garment industry, May 17, 2018.

46 Missguided Ltd. (SFI0076)

12   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

I do not accept there are any instances where suppliers are played off against each other.’47
This evidence was challenged in a written submission to the Committee from a supplier
to both retailers, who said:

… these firms work with suppliers across the world, each factory/supplier is
willing to undercut the next in order to get the orders, so people are working
[for] 10 pence profit sometimes per garment–this is due to the buyers in
these fast fashion firms being told to hammer down the prices and make
the supplier reduce the cost.48

Participation in sustainability initiatives

31. Our research found that Amazon UK, Boohoo, Missguided, JD Sports, Sports Direct
and TK Maxx participate in few industry sustainability initiatives. Recycling waste and
complying with the Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment is not sufficient to
offset the environmental damage caused by the fashion industry. None of these retailers
have signed up to SCAP’s targets to reduce their carbon, water and waste footprint. Use of
recycled materials in products is limited.

32. Missguided is not engaged with any of the sustainability actions we considered in
this assessment. On recycled materials, the retailer said, ‘we recognise that most of the
work in this area has been done on the use of PET, turning it into polar fleece, but this
is not a material which features significantly in our ranges.’49 This demonstrates a lack
of understanding of the range of industry initiatives on recycled materials. The retailer
has a wide online reach and is influential amongst its target audience of 16 to 29-year-old
women. We believe they can do much more to understand, raise awareness and address
sustainability issues in the industry. At our evidence hearing, the retailer said it will
investigate joining SCAP in its next financial year. We recommend that it prioritise this.50

33. In its response to a question about microplastics, JD Sports discussed their

plastic recycling efforts and did not address the issue of microplastics.51 Sports Direct
demonstrated more knowledge of the issue but is yet to take significant steps to address
the problem.52 Neither are formal members of the Microfibre Consortium. Given their
roles as leading sportswear retailers, we believe both JD Sports and Sports Direct should
show leadership on this issue.

Conclusion
34. We want to see a thriving fashion industry in the UK that employs people, inspires
creativity and contributes to the overall economic success of the UK. We are surprised
that there is no one body that speaks for the UK textile industry. The fashion industry’s
current business model is clearly unsustainable, especially with a growing middle-class
population and rising levels of consumption across the globe. We are disappointed
that few high street and online fashion retailers are taking significant steps to improve
their environmental sustainability. The current exploitative and environmentally
47 EAC, Sustainability of the fashion industry, Q289.
48 N/A (SFI0085)
49 Missguided Ltd. (SFI0076)
50 EAC, Sustainability of the fashion industry, Q374.
51 JD Sports written evidence
52 Sports Direct International plc (SFI0077)
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  13

damaging model for fashion must change. We believe retailers have an obligation to
engage with these issues and recommend that they show leadership through
engagement with industry initiatives. We will publish a final report in the coming
weeks setting out recommendations to Government for policies to encourage a
more transparent, fair and sustainable fashion system.
 Annex 1: Table of retailers’ responses

14
Market position Sustainability actions Sustainability initiatives Labour Market Initiatives

  Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

UK clothing SCAP - Use of organic or Use of ZDHC - Zero take back to Climate SAC - Reuse or Supplier
market share Sustainable sustainable cotton recycled Discharge of scheme or Change Risk Sustainable Make recycling of ACT - Action, ETI - Ethical Ethical
Profit before by value Clothing (e.g. BCI, material in Hazardous textile Reporting Apparel Microfibre Fashion unsold Collaboration, Trading Data
Retailer Total Revenue tax (2018) Action Plan Cotton2040) products Chemicals banks (TCFD) Coalition Initiative Circular stock Transformation Initiative Exchange

Engaged

ASOS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
£2.4bn £102.0m N/A

Burberry No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No
£2.7bn £413m N/A Paused

Marks and Spencer Group PLC Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes
£10.7bn £66.8m 7.30%

Tesco PLC (Tesco Group) (Tesco Group) (F&F Clothing) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
£51.0bn £1.3bn 2.9% In discussions
(Adjusted
Primark Stores Ltd. Operating Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
£7.4bn Profit) £843m 7.00%

Moderately engaged

Arcadia Group (2017) Yes Yes No No Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes No No

£1.9 bn £82.5m 3.80%

Asda Stores Ltd. (Asda Group) (Asda Group) No No No No Yes No Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes
£22.2bn £712.6m (George) 3.5%

Debenhams No Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No

£2.9bn £33.2m 2.70%

Next PLC Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No
£4.1bn £726m 6.60%

Less engaged

Amazon UK (2017) No No No No No No No No No Yes No No Yes

$11.3bn N/A N/A

Boohoo Group In No Yes No No No No No No Yes No No Yes

£579.8m £43.3m N/A disscussions

JD Sports Fashion PLC No No No No No No No No No Yes No No No

£3.1bn £294.5m 2.80%

Missguided Ltd. Loss No No No No No No No No No Yes No Yes Yes

£215.9m (£45.9m) N/A

Sports Direct International PLC

No No Yes No No Yes No Yes No Yes No No Yes
(See Annex 1, Note 4)
£3.3bn £77.5m 2.40%

TJX Europe (TK Maxx and

No No No No Yes No No No No Yes No No No
HomeSense)
£2.9bn £87.1m 3.20%

Kurt Geiger X X XX X X X X X X X X X X X X
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  15

Notes

1) Kurt Geiger did not respond to the Environmental Audit Committee’s request for
written evidence.

2) Please see glossary for definitions of initiatives.

3) Participation in initiatives identified through publicly available information. Retailers

were given the opportunity to comment on participation in advance of publication

4) The table relates to Sports Direct but the financial figure related to the wider Sports
Direct Group. Sports Direct have raised concerns about inaccuracies in the table but were
unable to provide complete details of their Group’s participation in the schemes listed.

Source

5) UK clothing market share by value (2018): Global Data, The UK Clothing Market,
2018–2023.
16   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

Annex 2: Glossary
Initiative Description

Action, Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT) is an agreement between

Collaboration, global retailers in the garment, textile and footwear sector, and
Transformation IndustrialALL, the global trade union representing garment and textile
(ACT) workers, to achieve living wages for workers. Since its establishment
in 2016, 21 retailers have signed the Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU), a framework which outlines actions to establish freedom
of association, collective bargaining and living wages within global
supply chains.

The foundation undertakes activities to operationalise the MoU

(Action), strengthen relationships between companies, institutions
and initiatives (Collaboration), and work with trade unions and
employers to agree and implement national collective agreements,
ensuring progress towards living wages (Transformation). ACT is
currently actively involved in negotiation with national actors in
Cambodia, Myanmar and Turkey.

New members undertake a Purchasing Practices Self-Assessment

survey (PPSA) to give an overview of purchasing practices, identify
deficiencies and implement measures to overcome these. In 2018 ACT
established a global collaborative structure to improve purchasing
practices amongst its members and develop an accountability and
monitoring mechanism. From 2019 developments will be monitored
through regular self-assessments.1
Better Cotton The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) aims ‘to make global cotton
Initiative (BCI) production better for the people who produce it, better for the
environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future’. It aims to
do this by reducing the environmental impact of cotton production,
improving livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing
areas, and securing commitments to Better Cotton throughout the
supply chain. The BCI defines Better Cotton based on seven principles
which farmers must uphold. These principles include minimising
the harmful impact of crop protection practices, promoting water
stewardship, caring for the health of the soil, enhancing biodiversity
and using land responsibly, caring for and preserving fibre quality,
promoting decent work and operating an effective management
system.

The initiative has a goal of working with five million farmers in key
cotton-producing countries and having Better Cotton account for
30% of global cotton production. The Better Cotton Growth and
Innovation Fund is a global programme funded by the BCI and its
partners which supports this goal. The BCI has developed a Better
Cotton Standard System. This is a holistic approach to sustainable
cotton production designed to ensure the exchange of good practices
and to promote the scaling up of collective action.

In 2017, 736,000 metric tonnes of Better Cotton were sourced by

retailers and 1.2 million metric tonnes were sourced by spinners. H&M
was the top retailer based on sourcing volume. Amongst UK retailers,
Marks and Spencer and Tesco were the best performing retailers
ranking twelfth and thirteenth respectively.2
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  17

Initiative Description

Ethical Trading The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a global alliance of companies,
Initiative (ETI) trade unions and NGOs which aims to ensure retailers and suppliers
are responsible for improving the working conditions of people who
make the products they sell. Membership requires companies to show
a clear commitment to ethical trade, integrate ethical trading into
their business practices, improve working conditions annually, support
suppliers to improve working conditions, and accurately and openly
report their ethical trading activities.

The ETI acts in several ways to improve ethical trade globally. All
members adopt the ETI Base Code of labour practices. Once adopted,
the ETI works with members to implement the code throughout their
supply chains. The ETI and members also undertake pilot projects,
working groups and develop training and resources to put ethical
trade policies into effect.

Globally, the ETI supports initiatives which raise workers’ awareness

of their rights and which create cultures where workers can negotiate
directly with management about issues. Additionally, the ETI brokers
resolutions when there are major breaches of trade union rights by
companies that supply ETI members.

ETI members report on their efforts annually and the ETI has a
disciplinary procedure for members who do not make progress or
honour their membership obligations.3
Forum for the Forum for the Future is an international, not for profit organisation
Future encouraging businesses, governments and civil society to move toward
a more sustainable future. It was founded in 1996 and works with
major global retailers.

The Forum engages in long-term collaborations with partners to

effect system change through product innovation, consumer demand,
reshaping markets and policy advocacy. For example, it is a critical
friend on Marks and Spencer’s Plan A strategy. It also promotes
partnerships from across the value chain to address sustainability
issues in key systems such as food, apparel, energy and shipping. The
Forum has organised system-wide campaigns addressing single-use
plastics (#oneless), sustainability in the beauty industry (Beauty and
Personal Care Sustainability Project), circular economy solutions for
the textile industry in Asia (Circular Leap Asia) and sustainable cotton
(Cotton 2040).

The Forum also runs the School of System Changes which aims
to develop internal capacity and leadership skills within partner
organisations to effect system innovation and change.4
18   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

Initiative Description

Make Fashion The Ellen MacArthur Foundation launched the Make Fashion Circular
Circular initiative in May 2017. The initiative aims address the current ‘take-
make-dispose’ model in the fashion industry and create a new textiles
economy through collaboration and innovation. This new model
will be based on the principles of the circular economy, creating
growth for business and citizens while reducing waste and pollution.
Participants in the initiative include retailers, cities, philanthropists,
NGOs and innovators from across the fashion industry.

There are three guiding principles for the Make Fashion Circular
initiative including promoting business models that keep clothes in
use, using materials that are renewable and safe, and identifying
solutions that turn used clothes into new clothes. The Foundation
estimates that implementing these principles can capture USD 460
billion lost due to underutilisation of clothing and an additional USD
100 billion from clothing currently lost to landfill or incineration.

The initiative produced its first report, A New Textiles Economy:

Redesigning fashion’s future, at the end of 2017.5
Microfibre The Microfibre Consortium is a European collaborative research group
Consortium funded by membership, primarily from the retail and textile industry.
The Consortium aims to address the problem of microfibre pollution
by better understanding microfibre shedding and developing
industry-based solutions.

The research is led by the European Outdoor Group, biov8tion and the
University of Leeds. Members are involved in identifying and deciding
research projects to be undertaken and receive advanced access
to results and data. In using an industry-wide model and pooling
resources, the Consortium aims to enable retailers to be proactive in
finding solutions and reduce repetition of research.

To date, the Consortium has completed research into developing an

industry wide testing method for microfibres and the effects of virgin
plastic, recycled plastic and colour on microfibre shedding.6
Sustainable The Sustainable Apparel Coalition is a global alliance of retailers,
Apparel manufacturers and affiliated organisations for sustainable production.
Coalition (SAC) The Coalition has developed the Higg Index. This is a set of tools
which allows participants ‘to accurately measure and score a
company or product’s sustainability performance.’7 The tool covers
products, facilities and brands. It allows companies to measure their
performance to make improvements. The Coalition also works with
partners including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and
ZDHC Roadmap to Zero.8
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  19

Initiative Description

Sustainable The Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP) is a voluntary initiative

Clothing Action run by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to tackle
Plan (SCAP) the environmental impact of the fashion industry in the UK. The
action plan aims to deliver positive environmental and economic
results to members by reducing carbon, water and waste.

The Plan covers business models, design, fabric selection, consumer

behaviour, and re-use and recycle. It provides guidance to members
on resource efficient business models to create value from sustainable
business practices and develop new revenue streams from resources
previously considered waste. It advises members on how to design to
extend the life of clothing for positive environmental outcomes and
how to choose more sustainable fibres and fabrics. WRAP’s concurrent
Love Your Clothes campaign is compiling research on consumer
attitudes to sustainable products to inform SCAP members’ decision
making. The Plan is also building relationships between retailers,
reprocessors and local authorities increase collection rates and prevent
clothing going to landfill.

The Plan includes the SCAP 2020 Commitment. This sets targets for
a 15% reduction in carbon, water and waste to landfill and 3.5%
reduction in overall waste by 2020. 80 retailers and organisations have
signed up to the 2020 commitment representing 65% of UK clothing
sales by volume.9 Figures released by WRAP in December 2018 showed
SCAP 2020 signatories have achieved an 11.9% reduction in carbon,
17.7% reduction in water, 1.1% reduction in waste per tonne and a
14% reduction in landfill waste based on 2017 figures.10 Whilst they
are on track or exceeding targets for reduction in landfill and water
use, we note that they are falling short of targets for overall waste
reductions.
20   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

Initiative Description

Task Force on The Financial Stability Board (FSB) monitors and makes
Climate-Related recommendations about the global financial systems. In 2016 it
Financial established the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
Disclosures (TCFD) to develop voluntary and consistent climate-related financial
(TCFD) risk disclosures for use by companies. These disclosures will include
the physical, liability and transition risk of climate change. 513
organisations have expressed support for the work of the TCFD,
including the UK government.

In 2017 the TCFD outlined 11 recommended disclosures and later

launched a knowledge hub to assist companies implement these
recommendations in their financial reporting. These recommendations
cover four key areas, governance, strategy, risk management and,
metrics and targets. It includes a recommendation that companies
assess the resilience of their strategies in different climate-related
scenarios.11

In its report Greening Finance: embedding sustainability in financial

decision making, the Environmental Audit Committee considered the
work of the TCFD and recommended the UK government do more
to ensure financial institutions, businesses and regulators factor
long term environmental risks like climate change into decision
making. The Committee heard evidence that transparent reporting of
companies’ exposure to climate-related risk and opportunities enables
financial markets to function more efficiently, requiring companies to
conduct scenario analysis and publish climate-related risk disclosures
would put climate change on the boardroom agenda and would
encourage longer term thinking across the investment chain.12

Textile The Textile Exchange is a global non-profit promoting sustainable

Exchange practices in the fashion industry. It was established in 2002 and has
members from 25 countries. Its goals include embedding sustainability
into businesses and supply chains, making it easier for businesses to
adopt textile sustainability and ensure moves toward sustainability
effect meaningful change.

The work of the Exchange includes developing preferred fibres and

materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester and biosynthetics.
It ensures the integrity of preferred fibres through its Textile Exchange
Standards certifications. It provides members with extensive data on
preferred fibres and materials, creates links between producers and
processors, and runs roundtables to address barriers to growth and
uptake. The Exchange runs the Recycled Polyester Commitment which
requires retailers to increase their use of recycled polyester (rPET) by
25% by 2020 from their 2017 baseline.

The Exchange also consults with retailers to map their supply chains
to achieve fully integrated, sustainable networks and promote
sustainability strategies for all stakeholders.13
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  21

Initiative Description

Zero Discharge The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals–Roadmap to Zero (ZDHC)

of Hazardous programme, a collaboration of 27 global fashion retailers, aims to
Chemicals eliminate the release of hazardous chemicals in the textile, leather and
(ZDHC) footwear value chain. To do this, it has developed standards covering
chemicals, wastewater, auditing and research for members. It has 121
contributors from the textiles and chemicals industry.

The programme has developed the Manufacturing Restricted

Substances List (MRSL) which are banned from intentional use in
products and sets concentration limits for the substances as impurities
or by-products. The MRSL aims to manage the chemicals used by
suppliers and remove dangerous substances from the manufacturing
process.

Wastewater guidelines set a unified standard for wastewater

quality for the textile and footwear industry. This goes further than
regulatory compliance and aims to ensure wastewater does not
negatively impact the environment and communities. The ZDHC Audit
Protocol enables members to self-assess their chemicals handling
procedures and sets objectives for tiered progression. The programme
has also developed a research list of high priority chemicals and
encourages cross-sectoral research into safer alternatives. The
programme also provides data management and training to
members.14
1 Action, Collaboration, Transformation.
2 Better Cotton Initiative.
3 Ethical Trading Initiative.
4 Forum for the Future.
5 Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Make Fashion Circular.
6 Microfibre Consortium.
7 Sustainable Apparel Coalition
8 Sustainable Apparel Coalition
9 WRAP, SCAP 2020 Commitment.
10 WRAP, Sustainable cotton is turning Britain’s clothes green, 18 December 2018.
11 Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures.
12 Environmental Audit Committee, Seventh Report of Session 2017–19, Greening Finance: embedding
sustainability in financial decision making, HC 1063, p. 21.
13 Textile Exchange.
14 Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals - Roadmap to zero.
22   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

Formal minutes
Tuesday 29 January 2019

Mary Creagh, in the Chair

Mr Philip Dunne John McNally

Caroline Lucas Dr Matthew Offord
Kerry McCarthy Alex Sobel
Anna McMorrin

Draft Report (Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry), proposed by
the Chair, brought up and read.

Paragraphs 1 to 34 read and agreed to.

Annexes agreed to.

Summary agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Fifteenth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the
provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

[The Committee adjourned]

   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  23

Witnesses
The following witnesses gave evidence. Transcripts can be viewed on the inquiry publications
page of the Committee’s website.

Tuesday 30 October 2018

Dr Mark Sumner, University of Leeds, Stella Claxton, Senior Lecturer,

Clothing Sustainability Research Group, Nottingham Trent University,
Professor Richard Thompson, University of Plymouth, Alan Wheeler,
Textiles Recycling Association Q1–39
Sarah O’Connor, Financial Times investigative reporter, Kate Elsayed-Ali,
Anti Slavery International, Sarah Ditty, Fashion Revolution Q40–84

Tuesday 13 November 2018

Claire Bergkamp, Sustainability & Innovation Director, Stella McCartney

Ltd, Clare Hieatt, Howies and Hiut Denim, Graeme Raeburn, Designer,
Phoebe English, Designer, Professor Dilys Williams, Director and Professor
of Fashion Design for Sustainability Q85–102
Livia Firth, Eco-Age, Jane Grice, Waste Not, Want Not, Jenny Holdcroft,
Assistant General Secretary, IndustriALL union, Andrea Speranza, TRAID,
Lucy Siegle, freelance journalist and writer Q103–123

Tuesday 27 November 2018

Mike Barry, Director of Sustainable Business, Marks and Spencer, Paul

Lister, Head of Ethical Trade & Environmental Sustainability Team, Primark,
Jamie Beck, Head of Supplier Management, Arcadia Group, Leanne Wood,
Chief People, Strategy and Corporate Affairs Officer at Burberry Q124–249
Carol Kane, Joint Chief Executive Officer, Boohoo, Nick Beighton, Chief
Executive Officer, ASOS, Paul Smith, Head of Product Quality & Supply,
Missguided Q250–390

Tuesday 18 December 2018

Victoria Atkins MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Crime,

Safeguarding and Vulnerability and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
(Minister for Women), Home Office, Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, Parliamentary
Under Secretary of State for the Environment, Defra, Kelly Tolhurst MP,
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Small Business,
Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, BEIS, Janet Alexander, Director of
Individuals and Small Business Compliance, HMRC Q391–555
24   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

Published written evidence

The following written evidence was received and can be viewed on the inquiry publications
page of the Committee’s website.

SFI numbers are generated by the evidence processing system and so may not be complete.
1 Amberoot (SFI0023)
2 Anglia Ruskin University (SFI0028)
3 Anglian Water Services (SFI0017)
4 Anti-Slavery International (SFI0071)
5 Armstrong-Gibbs, Fiona (SFI0027)
6 British Retail Consortium (SFI0019)
7 Bundlee Ltd (SFI0021)
8 The Carbon Mark project (SFI0006)
9 Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion (SFI0058)
10 Centre for Sustainable Fashion, University of the Arts London (SFI0034)
11 Christopher Raeburn (SFI0095)
12 Commun des Mortels (SFI0088)
13 Cooper, Professor Tim (SFI0049)
14 Defra (SFI0047)
15 Dorcas Dress Project (SFI0001)
16 ECO AGE LTD (SFI0075)
17 Edward Clay & Son Ltd (SFI0003)
18 Ethical Fashion Group (Common Objective) (SFI0051)
19 Ethical Trading Initiative (SFI0089)
20 Fashion Revolution (SFI0056)
21 Fashion Roundtable (SFI0060)
22 Fauna & Flora International (SFI0037)
23 Friends of the Earth (SFI0069)
24 Global Organic Textile Standard (SFI0041)
25 Greater London Authority (SFI0042)
26 Grn Sportswear Ltd (SFI0048)
27 Harper, Alison (SFI0081)
28 Hubbub UK (SFI0024)
29 IFF (SFI0045)
30 IndustriALL Global Union (SFI0073)
31 Institution of Mechanical Engineers (SFI0029)
32 International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) (SFI0054)
33 Jarman, Miss Jennifer (SFI0053)
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  25

34 Katharine Hamnett London (SFI0093)

35 Kurpniece, Lady Iveta Iveta (SFI0009)
36 Labour Behind the Label (SFI0067)
37 Lakes, Liam (SFI0012)
38 London Textile Forum (SFI0044)
39 London Waste and Recycling Board (SFI0022)
40 Loopster Ltd (SFI0025)
41 Miranda Dunn (SFI0031)
42 mywardrobeHQ (SFI0020)
43 N/A, N/A (SFI0085)
44 The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (SFI0068)
45 Oxfam GB (SFI0087)
46 The Parker Lane Group (SFI0070)
47 Parker Lane Group (SFI0094)
48 Phoebe English (SFI0055)
49 Primark Limited (SFI0033)
50 QSA Partners LLP (SFI0039)
51 QuantaCorp (SFI0005)
52 Re:Form - Veolia & Reuseful UK (SFI0016)
53 Riaz, Mr Naeem (SFI0004)
54 Ross, Mr Charles (SFI0002)
55 School oF Design, University of Leeds (SFI0026)
56 Sensibility 4 Sustainability (University of Exeter and Wolverhampton) (SFI0018)
57 Soil Association (SFI0011)
58 Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SFI0032)
59 Textile Centre of Excellence (SFI0015)
60 Textile Exchange (SFI0046)
61 Textile Recycling Association (SFI0013)
62 Thompson, Professor Richard (SFI0007)
63 Toulmin, Dr Hilary (SFI0008)
64 TRAID (Textile Reuse & International Development) (SFI0010)
65 Unite the Union (SFI0084)
66 University of Nottingham Rights Lab (SFI0043)
67 WASTE NOT WANT NOT - Artisans and Crafters facebook group (SFI0014)
68 Where Does It Come From? (SFI0035)
69 Windham Stewart, Apparel Supply Chain Consultant Olivia (SFI0092)
70 Worn Again Technologies (SFI0040)
71 Worn Again Technologies (SFI0052)
26   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

72 WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) (SFI0050)

73 Xeros Technology Group plc (SFI0090)
   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry  27

List of Reports from the Committee

during the current Parliament
All publications from the Committee are available on the publications page of the
Committee’s website. The reference number of the Government’s response to each Report
is printed in brackets after the HC printing number.

Session 2017–19

First Report Plastic bottles: Turning Back the Plastic Tide HC 339
Second Report Disposable Packaging: Coffee Cups HC 657
Third Report The Ministry of Justice: Environmental Sustainability HC 545
Fourth Report Improving air quality HC 433
Fifth Report UK Progress on Reducing F-gas Emissions HC 469
Sixth Report Green finance: mobilising investment in clean HC 671
energy and sustainable development
Seventh Report Greening Finance: embedding sustainability in HC 1063
financial decision making
Eighth Report The Government’s 25 Year Plan for the Environment HC 803
Ninth Report Heatwaves: adapting to climate change HC 826
Tenth Report Hand car washes HC 981
Eleventh Report UK Progress on Reducing Nitrate Pollution HC 656
Twelfth Report The Changing Arctic HC 842
Thirteenth Report Sustainable Development Goals in the UK follow up: HC 1491
Hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity in the UK
Fourteenth Report Sustainable Seas HC 980
First Special Report The Future of Chemicals Regulation after the HC 313
EU Referendum: Government Response to the
Committee’s Eleventh Report of Session 2016–17
Second Special Report Marine Protected Areas Revisited: Government HC 314
Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of
Session 2016–17
Third Special Report Sustainable Development Goals in the UK: HC 616
Government Response to the Committee’s Ninth
Report of Session 2016–17
Fourth Special Report Plastic bottles: Turning Back the Plastic Tide: HC 841
Government Response to the Committee’s First
Report
Fifth Special Report Disposable Packaging: Coffee Cups: Government’s HC 867
Response to the Committee’s Second Report
Sixth Special Report The Ministry of Justice: Environmental Sustainability: HC 982
Government’s Response to the Committee’s Third
Report
28   Interim Report on the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry 

Seventh Special Report Improving air quality: Government Response to the HC 1149
Committee’s Fourth Report
Eighth Special Report UK Progress on reducing F-gas Emissions: HC 1406
Government’s Response to the Committee’s Fifth
Report Eighth
Ninth Special Report Green finance: mobilising investment in clean HC 1450
energy and sustainable development: Government
Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report
Tenth Special Report Heatwaves: adapting to climate change: HC 1671
Government Response to the Committee’s Ninth
Report
Eleventh Special Report Greening Finance: embedding sustainability in HC 1673
financial decision making: Government Response to
the Committee’s Seventh Report
Twelfth Special Report The Government’s 25 Year Plan for the Environment: HC 1672
Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth
Report
Thirteenth Special UK Progress on Reducing Nitrate Pollution: HC 1911
Report Government Response to the Committee’s Eleventh
Report