Koton, a leader in the ready-to-wear fashion sector, marked its presence at the COP28 conference in Dubai. The event was attended by notable figures including Yılmaz Yılmaz, Koton’s Chairman; Şahika Ercümen, representing Koton’s Respect for Water Collection; Anthony Leiserowitz from Yale University; and Burak Kuyan of Galata Wind Energy.
Koton, a leading fashion brand from Türkiye, continues to demonstrate its commitment to gender equality and sustainability.
At the COP28 “Story of Us” panel, Yılmaz Yılmaz, Chairman of Koton, shared insights into the company’s sustainability efforts, “Our ‘Respect for Life’ sustainability manifesto, introduced in 2020, is divided into four pillars: Respect for Our World, Society, People, and Business.
‘Respect for Our World’ includes us being the first Turkish retail brand to sign the ‘Better Cotton’ initiative in Türkiye. In 2022, approximately 25% of our products were produced from sustainable sources,” he said.
“72% OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE WOMEN”
Yılmaz further remarked, “Under ‘Respect for Society,’ our ‘Handmade’ Collection, launched in 2016, is a key initiative. We employ women in Southeastern Anatolia for tasks that could be more cost-effectively done by machines, reaching 6,000 women in disadvantaged conditions.
‘Respect for People’ is about fostering an equal, inclusive culture that values diversity. Approximately 72% of our staff at Koton Group are women, with 54% in managerial roles. Promoting women’s initiatives in all aspects of life is a key focus. Our commitment to being a women-friendly company
is evident as signatories of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, and our recognition with he Great Place To Work certification in 2023.”
“TÜRKİYE’S SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY”
“Sustainability is a critical challenge and opportunity for Türkiye. Our geographical advantage near Europe and our sophisticated local production capabilities provide us with unique benefits. In the fashion industry, we are committed to increasing our sustainable product range by 2024. By 2026, we aim to reduce single-use plastics by 50%, boost the use of recycled packaging by 50%, and expand our sustainable product lines further. We made significant strides in 2022, achieving a 22% reduction in plastic waste compared to the previous year. Additionally, starting from the latter half of 2023, we have eliminated plastic bags from our stores in Türkiye,” Yılmaz outlined.
“THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT AT COP28”
Yılmaz Yılmaz also commented on the significance of COP28: “The involvement of private sector entities is crucial at such summits. Companies have a substantial impact on environmental outcomes. The scope and influence of COP have been growing each year, with increasing participation from the private sector, national governments, and individual stakeholders. This escalating engagement is crucial in influencing the summit’s decision-making process.”