Remake's 2024 Fashion Accountability Report Exposes Fashion Giants' Failures
Remake, a prominent U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting transparency and sustainability in the fashion industry, has recently released its highly anticipated Fashion Accountability Report for the year 2024. This comprehensive report evaluates and scores major fashion brands based on various criteria, including transparency, workers' rights, environmental impact, and corporate governance.
According to Remake's assessment, a staggering number of well-known brands have fallen short in meeting the standards set forth by the organization. Notably, fast fashion giants such as Temu, Fashion Nova, Missguided, and Skims received a score of zero out of a possible 150 points. Joining them at the bottom of the rankings is Shein, which scored only six points. These low scores reflect the brands' inadequate progress towards social and environmental responsibility.
In contrast, some brands have demonstrated more positive efforts in the eyes of Remake. Everlane emerged as the top performer, earning 40 out of 150 points, followed closely by H&M Group, PUMA, Reformation, and Ralph Lauren. These brands have shown a commitment to transparency, ethical labor practices, and reducing their environmental footprint.
One significant aspect highlighted in the report is the disparity between garment workers' wages and CEO salaries within the fashion industry. Despite initiatives to set living wages for workers, many CEOs receive exorbitant compensation compared to the earnings of their employees. For instance, the report reveals that the monthly living wage for garment workers in Bangladesh falls significantly short of the annual compensation received by CEOs of major fashion corporations.
On the environmental front, Remake's report acknowledges some progress made by fashion companies in disclosing their carbon emissions and setting emission reduction goals. However, there is still much room for improvement, particularly in terms of implementing sustainable practices such as in-site resale programs and repair initiatives.
The authors of the report emphasize the urgent need for transformative change within the fashion industry. They call for increased investment in decarbonization efforts tailored to each country and factory's unique circumstances. Furthermore, they advocate for meaningful collaboration with workers to address the challenges posed by climate change and ensure a just transition to a more sustainable future.
