Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference USA

3rd - 4th June 2026

New York City, USA

Collapsing the E and S in ESG: Protecting workers’ rights in the push to net-zero

Case study
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As trade disputes and sourcing diversification dominate meetings, climate impacts are intensifying pressure across key manufacturing hubs. In Bangladesh alone, 36 percent of garment workers have been displaced by climate impacts, with women hit hardest (Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies).

At the same time, brands’ climate goals can unintentionally create pressure on suppliers to cut costs in ways that undermine labour standards, just as new human rights and forced labour rules raise expectations for social performance.

For sustainability teams, the challenge is how to make climate progress in a way that protects workers and supports suppliers in a warming world, while staying ahead of regulation. This means clearer shared planning, fairer responsibility, and partnerships that safeguard the people who hold supply chains together.

Our panel will explore:

  • The latest research on climate impacts in key manufacturing regions
  • What a just transition means in practice for brands, suppliers, and workers
  • Which impact measures and benchmarks best signal real improvements in worker welfare
  • Case studies of initiatives that strengthen support workers and their families
Case study

What to expect from this type of session...

You’ll hear a step-by-step breakdown of a very focused case study. From concept creation and business buy in; to identification of the right partners and implementation; to understanding impact and ROI. Always grounded in a real-world example, these sessions provide clear guidance and action points to take back to your own organisation.

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Day 0

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
Day 1

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
10:00am - 10:40am
Plenary
10:40am - 11:20am
11:20am - 12:00pm
Collapsing the E and S in ESG: Protecting workers’ rights in the push to net-zero 
Sourcing Journal | Global Labor Institute, Cornell University ILR School | Fair Labor Association
Case study
12:30pm - 1:30pm
1:30pm - 2:15pm
2:15pm - 3:00pm
3:00pm - 3:45pm
4:15pm - 5:00pm
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Day 2

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
10:00am - 10:45am
The reality of resale, repair, rental: Can circular business models actually scale to compete with the linear system? 
Nuuly | Tersus Solutions | GUESS inc. | Yale University | Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Plenary
10:45am - 11:15am
11:15am - 12:00pm
Plenary
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Regenerative cotton: If it really is a win-win for all, why is it not more widespread? 
Spruell Farms | Victoria's Secret & Co | COTTON USA™ and U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
Case study
12:30pm - 1:30pm
1:30pm - 3:00pm
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Key takeaways and closing remarks 
Parsons School of Design