Turkish apparel industry pushes for collective action on climate transition

A. Peter Tessa May 17, 2026Last Updated: May 17, 2026

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Turkish Apparel Industry Pushes for Collective Action on Climate Transition The need for stronger industry-wide collaboration in meeting global climate goals took center stage at the “Transformation Journey of the Turkish Apparel Industry” event, organized by Istanbul Apparel Exporters' Association (IHKIB) on May 11, 2026. The event brought together key voices from the apparel and textile sector to discuss how Turkish manufacturers can move forward in line with international climate expectations while staying competitive in an increasingly demanding global market. During the session, “Global Climate Goals & Transformation Roadmap of the Turkish Apparel Industry,” Stefano Festa Marzotto, President of International Apparel Fedaration joined Mehmet Kaya, Vice President of IHKIB and Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, Business Engagement Leader at UNFCCC to share perspectives on the path ahead for the sector. Speaking at the event, Stefano Festa Marzotto stressed that real progress will depend on coordinated action across the entire value chain. He noted that industry transformation cannot be achieved through isolated efforts, whether from brands setting requirements independently, development partners working through separate projects, or manufacturers making investments without the right support systems in place. Instead, he emphasized the need for a shared roadmap that puts manufacturers at the center of the process. “Industry transformation will not happen through individual actors working in isolation,” he said, adding that manufacturers must be supported through a collective framework where all stakeholders work toward common goals with a clear understanding of priorities and timelines. Marzotto also pointed to the creation of the Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative (ATTI) as a practical step toward this kind of coordination. The initiative was jointly founded by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), together with industry partners including IHKIB. The platform aims to strengthen collaboration across the apparel and textile supply chain by aligning manufacturers, associations, and global stakeholders around a common transition strategy. For Turkey’s apparel sector, the discussion highlighted both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity ahead. As global buyers continue to raise expectations around climate action, traceability, and responsible production, manufacturers are under growing pressure to adapt. Events like this underline the importance of building practical partnerships that can help translate climate goals into measurable action on the factory floor. The message from Istanbul was clear — the industry’s progress will depend less on individual efforts and more on how effectively stakeholders can move forward together.

The need for stronger industry-wide collaboration in meeting global climate goals took center stage at the “Transformation Journey of the Turkish Apparel Industry” event, organized by Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB) on May 11, 2026.

The event brought together key voices from the apparel and textile sector to discuss how Turkish manufacturers can move forward in line with international climate expectations while staying competitive in an increasingly demanding global market.

During the session, “Global Climate Goals & Transformation Roadmap of the Turkish Apparel Industry,” Stefano Festa Marzotto, President of International Apparel Fedaration joined Mehmet Kaya, Vice President of IHKIB and Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, Business Engagement Leader at UNFCCC to share perspectives on the path ahead for the sector.

Speaking at the event, Stefano Festa Marzotto stressed that real progress will depend on coordinated action across the entire value chain.

He noted that industry transformation cannot be achieved through isolated efforts, whether from brands setting requirements independently, development partners working through separate projects, or manufacturers making investments without the right support systems in place.

Instead, he emphasized the need for a shared roadmap that puts manufacturers at the center of the process.

“Industry transformation will not happen through individual actors working in isolation,” he said, adding that manufacturers must be supported through a collective framework where all stakeholders work toward common goals with a clear understanding of priorities and timelines.

Marzotto also pointed to the creation of the Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative (ATTI) as a practical step toward this kind of coordination.

The initiative was jointly founded by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), together with industry partners including IHKIB.

The platform aims to strengthen collaboration across the apparel and textile supply chain by aligning manufacturers, associations, and global stakeholders around a common transition strategy.

For Turkey’s apparel sector, the discussion highlighted both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity ahead.

As global buyers continue to raise expectations around climate action, traceability, and responsible production, manufacturers are under growing pressure to adapt. Events like this underline the importance of building practical partnerships that can help translate climate goals into measurable action on the factory floor.

The message from Istanbul was clear — the industry’s progress will depend less on individual efforts and more on how effectively stakeholders can move forward together.