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The Business of Fashion Podcast

The Future of DEI and ESG in a Hostile Political Environment

Dec 10, 2024
Sarah Kent, Chief Sustainability Correspondent at The Business of Fashion, discusses the precarious state of DEI and ESG initiatives in the fashion industry. She highlights the performative nature of many DEI efforts established post-George Floyd and questions the authenticity of current sustainability commitments. Kent warns that recent political shifts have led major brands, like Walmart, to retrench their initiatives, emphasizing the business imperative of meaningful change. The conversation probes the disconnect between ambitious promises and actual progress in a volatile landscape.
23:49

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The retreat from DEI initiatives in the fashion industry reveals a troubling shift in corporate America, questioning genuine commitments to supporting underrepresented communities.
  • The initial establishment of DEI departments was often hasty and performative, lacking the sustainable foundations necessary for meaningful progress and business integration.

Deep dives

The Shift in Corporate DEI Initiatives

Many companies in the fashion industry are retreating from their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with Walmart leading the trend by discontinuing priority treatment for suppliers based on race and gender. This move reflects a broader reassessment of DEI commitments, as Walmart announced it would no longer fund its own Center for Racial Equity, which was established to combat systemic racism. The shift highlights a significant turning point in corporate America, suggesting that DEI efforts, once considered essential, are now seen as politically toxic. This change raises concerns about the genuine commitment of companies to uphold values that support underrepresented communities, as the once-celebrated initiatives increasingly become targets of skepticism.

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