Sustainable Fibre Alliance

We are excited to announce the appointment of Ian Whiteford as the new Chairman of the SFA Board, effective 2024. 🎉🤝 With a wealth of experience in certifications, supply chain management, chemical management, and sustainability in luxury brands, Mr Whiteford is poised to provide the leadership and strategic vision needed to propel the SFA into its next chapter of growth and success. “I know the skill, energy and enthusiasm that Una and all the staff bring to their work and I am delighted and honoured to be part of it,” said Mr Whiteford on his appointment as Chairman of the SFA Board. Having travelled to Mongolia several times during his career, working to establish a traceable and sustainable cashmere supply chain with SFA-registered herders, Mr Whitefod has a deep understanding of the passion and commitment that drives and underpins the SFA’s work. 🐐🧶 #sfa #sustainablefibre #sustainablefashion #sustainablecashmere #cashmere #mongolia

#Callout for Service Providers and #experts to support an upcoming project to assess how the SFA’s activities affect the ability of herders to access markets and receive price premiums for their SFA-certified fibre. This project supports the SFA’s key impact area, Resilient Herding Communities, focusing on the financial security and the well-being of herders and their families. Learn more about the project and how to apply in our Terms of Reference document: https://lnkd.in/ej5m56bi Application proposals are to be submitted by 17:00 UTC on 10th February 2025, and the SFA thanks all applicants for their interest. #sfa #sustainablefibre #herderlivelihoods #researchstudy #research #impact #termsofreference #tor #sustainablecashmere #cashmere

2024: A Year of Solidarity, Resilience, and Progress Toward Sustainability 🐐 As we close out another year, we reflect back on the impacts we have achieved together, thanks to the commitment and support of our SFA members and partners. This year has truly showcased the power of #collaboration, from mobilising and extending support to Mongolian herders during the Dzud natural disaster to announcing our partnership with the Rangeland Stewardship Council (#RSC) initiative on the global stage. We have also made strides within the SFA's standards system, strengthening the foundation for a more sustainable future in the natural fibre sector. 2024 was a year of challenges, growth, and advancement. Here’s to continued progress, resilience, and impactful collaboration in 2025 as we work together for a better, more sustainable future. Dive into the key highlights of this transformative year here: https://lnkd.in/d6JZEFgg #sfa #sustainability #sustainablecashmere #herderlivelihoods #resilience #naturalfibre #globalimpact #2025goals

In celebration of 2024 as the International Year of Camelids, the #SFA organised a special discussion on developing camel standards with the Rangeland Stewardship Council (#RSC) for attendees of #UNCCDCOP16. Una Jones, Executive Director of the RSC and CEO of SFA, opened the event, highlighting the critical importance of camelid species to rangeland ecosystems globally. Noting the diverse resources they provide, including fibre, milk, meat, and hides, Una emphasised the vital role that camelids play in supporting food security, pastoral livelihoods, and nomadic culture. Una expressed her delight in uniting participants from around the globe to introduce the Global Rangelands Standard and the Camel Standard development, stating, “These initiatives aim to balance environmental objectives with the economic needs of rangeland livestock systems.” This RSC is supported by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, SFA and the Global Environment Facility-funded STELARR (Sustainable Investments for Large-Scale Rangeland Restoration) Project, which is implemented by IUCN and executed by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and partners. The RSC Camel Standard is the first species-specific standard to be developed under the Global Rangelands Standard framework. This new standard seeks to address the challenges faced by pastoralists while combining economic sustainability with environmental conservation to create commercially viable mechanisms. To develop this standard, extensive consultations were conducted throughout 2024, including with camel herders at Mongolia's “Thousand Camel Festival”, with global stakeholders in London and Beijing, and online discussions with wider industry partners. These consultations highlighted the importance of enhancing the value of camel and other livestock-derived products and creating diverse supply chains. The market potential for camel milk, meat, hides, and fibre—particularly luxury items like camel hair coats—was significant. However, during the session at COP16, Una emphasised the need for increased private-sector investment to support pastoral livelihoods and ensure the stability of supply chains. Climate risks in rangeland regions were also addressed, focusing on Mongolia’s harsh winter disaster (Dzud) this year, which resulted in the loss of 7.44 million livestock. The need to enhance the resilience of supply chains to mitigate the impacts of such disasters and ensure global supply chain sustainability was stressed throughout. At the event’s conclusion, participants were invited to provide feedback on the SFA Animal Fibre Standard scope expansion and called for collaboration among pastoral organisations, private sector partners, researchers, and policymakers. This initiative marks a significant step toward supporting sustainable rangeland management, pastoral livelihoods and environmental conservation. Visit https://lnkd.in/gAuw-2GE for more information on how to get involved.

🌱✨ The fashion industry impacts our planet from fiber to waste. At UNCCD COP16, we’re tackling these challenges head-on with sustainable solutions, expert panels and the launch of the #Fashion4Land publication and exhibition. 📺 Watch the live webcast: https://lnkd.in/eRpYwATy 📍 Shaping land-friendly fashion for our land's future. Ibrahim Thiaw Inger Andersen Odontuya Saldan Hélène VALADE Burak Cakmak Una Jones Cristina Ávila Liliana Annovazzi-Jakab Alex Musembi Xenya Cherny Scanlon Inna Modja Ibrahim Thiaw UN Environment Programme Sustainable Fibre Alliance United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Sustainable Fashion Alliance #SustainableFashion #UNited4Land #COP16riyadh

📅 Save the date! The SFA team is hosting a series of side events for UNCCD COP16 on Thursday, 12th December alongside our partners and collaborators of the Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC). We would like to extend an invitation to all sector-wide friends to join us and learn more about this global initiative! 📍 The sessions will take place on Thursday, 12th December in the CGIAR Food & Agriculture Pavilion: Pavilion C15, Blue Zone, Kingdom Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City. 💻 Unable to attend in person? Both sessions will be live-streamed on YouTube, which you can access via the links below. ----- 🧑🌾 Sustainable Commodities & the RSC ⌚ 11:00 - 12:30 (GMT +3) 📋 This session from the RSC explores the essential role of value chain resilience and market mechanisms in supporting Land Degradation Neutrality, focusing on how the private sector can transform regulatory challenges into opportunities to restore landscapes, protect biodiversity, and improve the livelihoods of herders. 💻 https://lnkd.in/e85v3RZ5 ----- 🐫 Camelid Standard Development by the RSC ⌚ 13:00 - 14:30 (GMT +3) 📋 In celebration of 2024 as the International Year of Camelids, the RSC is hosting a session on developing their Camelid Standard. This session will bring together a global panel of speakers to discuss the significance of creating a unified standard for camelid commodities - encompassing fibre, meat, and dairy - to support herders' livelihoods and promote Land Degradation Neutrality. 💻 https://lnkd.in/eHnHqRsv ---- We look forward to seeing you there! UN Convention to Combat Desertification CGIAR International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) NOUKK® #COP16Riyadh #UNCCDCOP16 #OurLandOurFuture #rangelandstewardship #rsc #sustainablecommodities #valuechainresilience #camelids #IYC2024 #YearOfCamelids #camelidstandard #landdegradationneutrality #herderlivelihoods #sustainablefibre #sfa

Last month, SFA's CEO Una Jones spoke to Pioneers Post about our commitment to building a responsible and inclusive global natural fibre sector. Discussion focussed on corporate-herder partnerships and how our direct work with herders provides the training, support, and certifications needed to improve land management, animal welfare, and livelihoods. Through our herder-level work programmes, supported by our SFA Members and global businesses, we’re working together to drive positive change for both people and the environment. Learn more about our work to create a more responsible cashmere supply chain through corporate-herder partnerships and similar stories from across the sustainable industry here: https://lnkd.in/etrRXTfx #sfa #sustainablefibre #sustainablecashmere #cashmere #herderlivelihoods #indigenouscommunities

It was an honour to take to the international stage yesterday during the UNCCD’s COP16 Land Day events to discuss the critical issues facing pastoralists and rangelands globally. We have successfully launched the Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC) and introduced the Global Rangeland Standard. Key takeaways from our session: 1. Sustainable Practices: The Global Rangeland Standard promotes environmental and social sustainability through a unified framework. 2. Inclusive Governance: We emphasize culturally inclusive approaches and the importance of herder representation in rangeland management. 3. Private-Sector Engagement: The Global Rangeland Standard acts as a catalyst for investment in rangeland restoration, aligning long-term economic and environmental goals. Together, we can protect and restore rangelands, ensuring resilience, biodiversity, and food security for future generations. 🌱🤝 @UNCCD; International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) @GEF Sustainable Fibre Alliance Louise Baker @Dr Osama Faquiha; Chris Dickinson Fiona Flintan; @Dr Julie Garnier Matthew Reddy Utchang Kang #RangelandRestoration #Sustainability #GlobalRangelandStandard #ClimateAction #COP16 #SFA #LandDay #RangelandStewardship#RangelandStewardshipCouncil; #SFA #SustainableFibre

Today is Land Day at UNCCD COP16 and the SFA is joining together with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the GEF-funded STELARR (Sustainable Investments for Large-Scale Rangeland Restoration) Project – implemented by IUCN and executed by ILRI and partners – to officially introduce the Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC) initiative to the global stage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. To officially introduce this global initiative and standards system during UNCCD’s COP16, the SFA and RSC collaborative partners are set to host a series of sessions throughout the two-week event. These include three main UNCCD-hosted events during today's dedicated Land Day: 🏞️ Global Rangelands Standard: A Framework for Sustainable Pastoral Futures 🌱 COP Presidency Event on Rangelands 🧶 Fashion4Land Event at UNCCD COP16 Learn more about the key objectives and outcomes of these Land Day events today at UNCCD COP16, as well as discover more about the main aims of the conference as a whole, by reading the SFA’s event overview on our blog: https://lnkd.in/giFUVQAU #COP16Riyadh #UNCCDCOP16 #OurLandOurFuture #LandDay #Fashion4Land #Business4Land #sfa #sustainablefibre #sustainablecashmere #cashmere #RSC #rangelandstewardshipcouncil #rangelandstewardship #landdegradationneutrality

We are thrilled to announce that, as of 1st December 2024, the new SFA Animal Fibre Standard v1.0 was officially published with an effective date for all producers trading ‘SFA-Certified’ cashmere fibre from 1st April 2025. To learn more about this exciting new development in the SFA Standards System, please visit our SFA Animal Fibre Standard webpage and check out our in-depth Summary of Changes document: https://lnkd.in/e9BhJHkM Here you will discover how this standard will support our vision for a responsible and inclusive global natural fibres sector that safeguards the health and well-being of people, animals, and the environment through five global principles for responsible fibre production: 📖 Effective Management 🧑🌾 Decent Work 🌱 Biodiversity & Land Use 🐐 Animal Welfare 🧶 Fibre Quality Improvement #sfa #sustainablefibre #sustainablecashmere #cashmere #herderlivelihoods #decentwork #animalwelfare #biodiversity #effectivemanagement #rangelandmanagement #fibrequality #standardssytem #standarddevelopment #continuousimprovement