Extinction Rebellion demands new 'emergency action plan' to cancel London Fashion Week

Environmental group demands ‘emergency action plan’ to combat fashion industry’s role in the ongoing climate crisis

The industry is finally paying to attention to the environmental costs (Getty)

Extinction Rebellion is once again calling for the British Fashion Council (BFC) to cancel London Fashion Week.

On Monday, the environmentalism group wrote to the BFC urging the organisation to lobby for legislation ”to stop the fashion industry’s exploitation of planet, people and animals”.

The letter has been signed by other leading climate change campaigners, including Livia Firth of Eco-Age, Safia Minney MBE, and Simone Cipriani of Ethical Fashion Initiative.

It calls on the BFC to “cancel September 2020 fashion week” and “immediately start work on an emergency action plan that aids stakeholders through change”.

In order for this to work, the group, who staged a “funeral” protest at London Fashion Week last season, is urging the BFC to launch an “emergency action plan that supports [its] stakeholders through transition into a new format: one that directly addresses the underlying issues of obsolescence, overproduction, and exploitation”.

In its letter, Extinction Rebellion points out that this is the second time it is calling for the cancellation of London Fashion Week. Hence, it states, the group has said it plans to “build pressure” until its demands are met.

On Saturday, members from Extinction Rebellion plan to protest outside the BFC’s main Fashion Week space in central London from 9am.

“The day will start with a swarm, followed by creative actions, music, speeches and family activities,” reads the group’s Facebook event.

The Independent has contacted the BFC for comment.