Living Labs for Circular Regenerative Fashion: Co-creating Systemic Solutions Across the Global North and South

UN Science Summit Session

The fashion industry is one of the world’s most resource-intensive sectors. It generates significant greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, pollution, biodiversity loss and textile waste. Most demand for fast fashion originates in high-income countries. However, many environmental and social impacts are concentrated in the Global South, where textiles are produced, processed, traded and increasingly discarded. At the same time, regions across Africa, Asia and Latin America are pioneering circular practices, local entrepreneurship and community-driven approaches. These offer valuable pathways towards more sustainable fashion systems.

On Thursday, 17 September 2026, ENoLL will host an online session at the Science Summit. The session is titled “Living Labs for Circular Regenerative Fashion: Co-creating Systemic Solutions Across the Global North and South,” running from 17:00 to 18:30 CEST.

What to expect

The session will explore how Living Labs can accelerate the transition to circular and regenerative fashion. Living Labs bring together researchers, businesses, policymakers, citizens, designers, manufacturers and civil society. Together, they co-create, test, validate and scale solutions in real-life settings. By combining scientific research, technological innovation, user engagement and systems thinking, Living Labs generate evidence to support sustainable materials and circular business models. Additionally, this evidence supports ecodesign, digital product traceability, textile reuse and recycling, resource efficiency and responsible consumption.

The session will showcase Living Lab initiatives from both the Global North and South. It will highlight how science and innovation can strengthen circular textile value chains. As a result, these initiatives promote inclusive economic opportunities and resilient local ecosystems. Presentations will demonstrate methodologies, stakeholder engagement, measurable impacts and lessons learned. Furthermore, they will illustrate how locally adapted solutions can be replicated and scaled across diverse contexts.

An interactive discussion will examine the scientific, technological and policy challenges of advancing circular fashion. Topics include enabling regulatory frameworks, financing innovation and measuring environmental and social impacts. Additionally, the discussion will address support for SMEs and entrepreneurs, and North-South and South-South collaboration. As a result, the session will demonstrate how Living Labs serve as testbeds for evidence-based solutions. These solutions accelerate the transition towards circular and regenerative fashion systems. Moreover, the session will highlight their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 17. Therefore, it supports more resilient, inclusive and sustainable global value chains.

AGENDA