On the 24^th of February, in the ceremony that launched the Portuguese Shoe Green Pact, the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries applauded the initiative, highlighting that it reflects “an understanding of the need for change in the industry”. The Portuguese Shoes Green Pact, promoted by the Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Goods Manufacturers' Association (APICCAPS) and the Portuguese Footwear Technological Centre (CTCP), aims to mobilize companies in the footwear cluster to commit and work towards the goals set by the United Nations and Europe, namely, achieving net-zero carbon emissions in 2050 and halving carbon emissions in 2030.

“The footwear industry has a negative impact on the environment” – acknowledged the Commissioner - “that’s true at every stage, from the manufacturing process and the materials used, to their impact on water, land use, and pollution. It's also true for waste when shoes reach the end of their useful life”. “So, it's great to see the Pact trying a different approach, an approach very much in line with the broad objectives of the European Union”, he added, as its aim is “to address every step of the product value chain, looking very closely at its environmental impacts”.

The EU Commissioner underlined the importance as well of looking to the consumers' side, and the efforts that ought to be undertaken to provide them with the tools and information that enable them to take “informed and responsible choices”, thus fostering transparency.

He also celebrated the efforts of the signatories of the Shoes Green Pact “to work towards ensuring increased sustainability and circularity”, and stressed the significance of projects like BioShoes4All, whose aim is to leverage the transition to a bio-sustainable and circular economy.

“Transitions are not always easy. We are well aware of that at the Commission. But we do try and make it easier, by securing access to funding that supports green projects. So, it's very encouraging to see European funds like the Next Generation EU being put into practice, through projects like the BioShoes4All”, commented Virginijus Sinkevičius. “We want funding to work as a catalyst, and create a model for others to follow. It's blazing a trail. But we need that trail to become the main road”, he emphasized.