ARTICLE 3 The Power of Consumers

ARTICLE 3

The Power of Consumers

Article 3 – The Power of Consumers highlights the power of individuals to drive the transformation to sustainable markets. With the foundation of sustainable business models, Article 3 calls business to go further and engage with consumers in their decision-making by providing transparent information about products and services.

Global Picture

A recent study, prepared by Dentsu and Microsoft, demonstrates that 59% of consumers are prepared to force change and climate action by boycotting businesses seen as failing to prioritise the environment.

Nevertheless, there are still significant barriers that prevent all consumers from making ecological choices. In many product areas or geographies, sustainable alternatives are either too expensive for the average consumer or simply do not exist.

Projects

The SMI Fashion Task Force is leading the rollout of Digital ID technology

HM King Charles III at the launch of the SMI Fashion Task Force's Digital ID

HM King Charles III at the launch of the SMI Fashion Task Force's Digital ID

The rollout of Digital ID technology, has been led through the SMI Fashion Task Force. This technology that uses data to inform customers of the sustainability credentials of their purchases and facilitate the delivery of circularity at scale.

Mulberry, Chloe, and Johnstons of Elgin have all launched the Digital ID within their product lines.

The Fashion Task Force has also launched a Manifesto for Regenerative Fashion to accelerate progress on key sustainability issues within the fashion industry, which will be covered in Article 5.

The fashion industry is an incredibly creative and economically powerful world. If it is to survive and indeed thrive in the future, it has to use technology to put sustainability at the very heart of its operating models.

Federico Marchetti, Founder, YOOX NET-A-PARTER Group and Chair, SMI Fashion Task Force

The SMI Energy Transition Task Force released a report detailing how businesses can place customers at the heart of the energy transition

CEOs of bp, Macquarie and Lloyd's on the 'Accelerating the Energy Transition' panel at Terra Carta Action Forum at COP27

CEOs of bp, Macquarie and Lloyd's on the 'Accelerating the Energy Transition' panel at Terra Carta Action Forum at COP27

While the world urgently needs to decarbonise the energy system to fight climate change, society also must provide access to clean, reliable energy to the nearly one billion people currently without electricity.

The Energy Transition Task Force’s report calls for energy businesses and the finance community to take specific actions.

To read the Energy Transition Taskforce’s full report and see the companies involved, click here.

Spotlight on: AMPHIBIO

Another of the Design Lab winners, fashion start-up AMPHIBIO aims to tackle performance outdoor textiles that use many harmful chemicals and are difficult to recycle.

Their first 100% recyclable and chemical-free outdoor performance textile, AMPHITEX, combines longer lifecycles with recyclability. The clothing is both less wasteful and does not degrade into microplastics.

In 2023, AMPHIBIO will launch its recycling pilot and develop bio-based feedstock that can be integrated with their current raw materials without compromising the recyclability.

AMPHITEX exhibiting at the Terra Carta Action forum at COP27

AMPHITEX exhibiting at the Terra Carta Action forum at COP27

To find out more about AMPHIBIO and their product, click here

Spotlight on: HowGood

SMI Agribusiness Task Force member HowGood is a data platform with the world’s largest database on food and personal care product sustainability.

In 2022, HowGood published a playbook to provide the roadmap for brands to measure, improve and communicate on the sustainability of consumer-packaged goods.

To read the full playbook, click here.

Spotlight on: Bank of America

In 2022, Bank of America hosted its second annual virtual electric vehicle show, The event, entitled “EVolution”, offered the public the opportunity to gain timely insight about design trends, car features, charging, financing, and sustainability.