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YKK Corporation, a global leader in the manufacturing of zippers and other fastening products, recently announced that it has become a signatory to the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. The initiative calls on the fashion industry to acknowledge the contribution of the sector to climate change and its responsibility to strive towards climate neutrality for a safer planet.
YKK joins more than 100 signatories to the Charter, which supports the goals of the Paris Agreement in limiting global temperature rise to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels and sets specific goals for the entire fashion industry to implement. These goals focus on a 30 percent aggregate reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action was launched under the auspices of United Nations Climate Change at COP24 (24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in December 2018.
In addition, YKK will continue its efforts to identify and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its business activities, including raw material procurement, production processes, logistics and the supply chain. Within the next two years, the company will set science-based targets consistent with what the latest climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement—to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. YKK is working to obtain Science Based Targets initiative certification.
“YKK has a long history of environmental stewardship, which is an integral part of our ‘Cycle of Goodness’ philosophy. Our Environmental Pledge was signed by our CEO in 1994, and we created NATULON®, the first zipper made from recycled PET bottles and polyester remnants, 26 years ago,” said Hiroaki Otani, president of YKK Corporation. “Signing the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action signals to the world not only our continued commitment to sustainability in our product development and manufacturing processes, but also our desire to work together with other organizations in the industry to accelerate the reduction of GHG emissions.”
About YKK
Since the company’s founding in Tokyo in 1934, YKK has continuously set industry standards for quality, service, value and innovation in the production of zippers, plastic hardware, hook and loop fasteners, webbing tapes and snap and buttons. With integrated production and supply systems in 72 countries and regions around the world, YKK is positioned to meet the needs of the textile and sewing product industries as they increasingly diversify and require shorter product cycles. Guided by the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® philosophy—no one prospers without rendering benefit to others—YKK aims to contribute to a sustainable society through its products and manufacturing operations and constantly seeks new ways to serve the changing needs of its customers while at the same time investing in employees and giving back to its communities. For more details, visit www.ykk.com/english.