Shape Innovate

🌍✨ Today’s Session 4 on Designs and Sustainability led by Gordon Humphreys, President ad interim of the Boards of Appeal at EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office, Muchaneta ten Napel had the opportunity to present on the evolving role of sustainable design in addressing environmental challenges and supporting innovation. Here are the key takeaways from her talk: 1️⃣ Sustainable Design goes beyond aesthetics—it's about rethinking how we design to minimise environmental impact while creating social benefits. 2️⃣ Environmental & Economic Benefits: Sustainable design reduces waste, pollution, and reliance on finite resources while offering long-term cost savings. 3️⃣ Social Responsibility: Healthier environments through toxin-free materials and design approaches that benefit both people and the planet. 4️⃣ IP & Sustainability: The EU’s IP Action Plan supports sustainable innovations, protecting circular and eco-friendly designs to promote a greener economy. 5️⃣ AI & Design: Artificial intelligence will revolutionise sustainable product development, helping us design smarter, more efficient solutions. 6️⃣ Combatting Greenwashing: Stronger IP rights can help ensure transparency and prevent counterfeit products that undermine sustainability. 7️⃣ Real-World Examples: Patagonia, Tesla, The Bullitt Center, and Loop are leading the way in sustainable innovation, showing us how design can truly make a difference. Let’s continue driving positive change by rethinking how we design, produce, and consume! 🌿💡 #Sustainability #DesignInnovation #IPProtection #CircularEconomy #SustainableFuture #AIinDesign #GreenDesign #SustainableBusiness #EcoFriendlyDesign #ClimateAction

On June 26, 2024, at the Future Fabrics Expo our founder Muchaneta ten Napel had the honour of joining a dynamic panel on "How Legal and Policy Frameworks Can Set the Right Parameters for Social and Environmental Justice." Moderated by Bella Webb of Vogue Business, the discussion explored the complex relationship between fashion, legislation, and sustainability. Here are some key insights she shared during the conversation: 🔍 "One of the problems that we’re facing is inconsistency in regulations across member states. If we’re all going in different directions, we don’t go anywhere." ⏳ "The fashion industry is moving at a very slow pace, which is a big problem because we need to move faster in order to make change and to make a difference." 🤝 "It’s no longer a 'me' problem; it’s a 'we' problem. How can we, as an industry, comply with these upcoming legislations in a way that leaves no one behind?" 📢 "The lawmakers know nothing about the fashion industry, so fashion as a whole needs to be part of this conversation. We don’t have a voice in Brussels, and that’s a problem." 📚 "The industry has shown that it can’t self-regulate, so who’s going to suffer? It’s going to be anyone who doesn’t educate themselves about what’s coming and what’s happening." These quotes capture the urgency, challenges, and the essential need for collective action that I emphasized during our discussion. It's crucial that we all engage and educate ourselves about the evolving legal landscape to ensure that we move forward together, leaving no one behind. A special thanks to Muchaneta’s fellow panelists Jojo Mehta from Stop Ecocide, Neesha-Ann Longdon from The OR Foundation Ghana, and Tapiwa Nxele from the United Nations Environment Programme for their invaluable contributions to this important conversation. Watch: https://lnkd.in/eTudF2BV #SustainableFashion #FashionLaw #FutureFabricsExpo #EnvironmentalJustice #SocialJustice #CollectiveAction

At the Future Fabrics Expo event organised by The Sustainable Angle on June 26, 2024, Muchaneta ten Napel, founder of Shape Innovate provided insightful responses during the panel discussion on "How Legal and Policy Frameworks Can Set the Right Parameters for Social and Environmental Justice." Alongside her was panelists Jojo Mehta (Stop Ecocide), Neesha-Ann Longdon (The OR Foundation Ghana), and @Tapiwa Nxele (United Nations Environment Programme) moderated by Bella Webb (Vogue Business), Highlights of Muchaneta ten Napel's Contributions: 1. Critique of Current Legislation: Muchaneta highlighted the inconsistencies in regulations across EU member states, which complicate compliance for fashion companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. She emphasised the slow adaptation of legislation to the rapid evolution of the fashion industry, noting that this often results in failing to promptly address emerging issues. Muchaneta argued that this lag inhibits innovation and adequately tackling environmental challenges. 2. Sustainability and Administrative Challenges: She pointed out that while there has been a focus on sustainability, the scope of legislation targeting the environmental impacts specific to the fashion industry remains limited. This includes critical areas like waste management, chemical use, and the overall carbon footprint. Additionally, she discussed the complexity and administrative burden of EU regulations, which disproportionately impact smaller fashion companies, potentially stifling their growth and innovation. 3. Enforcement and Labour Practices: Muchaneta also touched on the challenges of enforcing EU legislation, especially due to the global nature of the fashion supply chain which often extends beyond EU borders. 4. Consumer Protection and SME Impact: She stressed the need for greater transparency in the fashion industry concerning product origin and manufacturing processes, noting current legislation's inadequacy in meeting consumer demands for this information. Muchaneta also highlighted how EU regulations often place a heavier burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which struggle with compliance costs and complexities. Conclusion and Recommendations: Muchaneta ten Napel advocated for revising existing legislation and introducing new regulations better suited to the current industry challenges. emphasised the importance of enhancing cross-border cooperation within the EU to ensure more uniform enforcement and the inclusion of accountability measures that protect the most vulnerable populations. Her contributions to the panel underscored the need for a legislative framework that not only addresses the technical aspects of regulation but also ensures social and environmental justice are interwoven into the legal fabric, thereby safeguarding against the exploitation of vulnerable communities and environments.