Digital Transformation Consulting
Accenture
Full Credential Description
The H&M Foundation, in collaboration with KTH Innovation and Accenture, launched the Global Change Award (GCA) to address the pressing need for decarbonization in the fashion industry. This initiative aims to support the textile sector in halving its greenhouse gas emissions every decade, aligning with the carbon law. The GCA is designed to foster early-stage innovations that can transform how garments are designed, produced, and recycled, thereby promoting sustainability in a resource-intensive industry.
Since its inception in 2015, the GCA has awarded 8 million euros in grants to 46 innovative projects. The program not only accelerates the development of these ideas but also emphasizes the personal growth of changemakers through leadership development and systems thinking. Accenture plays a crucial role by providing insights into future fashion trends and facilitating connections within the broader ecosystem, enabling partnerships that drive innovation.
Among the notable success stories is Unspun, a 2017 winner that developed Vega, the world’s first 3D weaving technology aimed at eliminating overproduction. This technology allows for on-demand production, significantly reducing transport and lead emissions. Unspun's partnership with the fashion brand Weekday enabled the integration of custom-fit technology, allowing customers to order perfectly fitting jeans without the need for inventory. The company has garnered recognition, including being named one of TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of 2021.
Another significant case is Textile Genesis, a 2020 winner that utilizes blockchain technology to ensure transparency in the sourcing of sustainable fibers. Their digital Fibercoin system tracks materials from origin to final garment, and by 2022, they were collaborating with around 30 leading brands and tracking over 50 sustainable materials. This initiative has established a reliable verification process throughout the textile production chain, enhancing accountability and sustainability in the industry.