MUMBAI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- India has launched project SU.RE as its commitment to sustainability in the apparel and fashion industry at the Lakme Fashion Week -- the bi-annual fashion event in Mumbai, late Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, India's minister for textiles, Smriti Irani said, "We are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi, who asked us to be the change you wish to see in the world. The sustainability resolution being adopted today is reflective of that very thought of the Mahatma."

The project SU.RE (Sustainable Resolution) has commitment from 16 companies, who have combined industry value of 4.17 billion U.S. dollars.

The sustainability is the 4th criterion considered by consumers while choosing products, the minister said, expressing gratitude to the UN participation to support this endeavor.

"Project SU.RE opens a new dialogue to accelerate concrete actions for sustainability and climate action, and reduce environmental costs, through the entire value chain of clothes manufacturing," said Renata Lok-Dessallien, UN resident coordinator in India.

The 16 companies committed to the project include Future Group, Shopper's Stop, Aditya Birla Retail, Arvind Brands, Lifestyle, Max, Raymond, House of Anita Dongre, W, Biba, Westside, 109F, Spykar, Levi's, Bestsellers, and Trends.

These companies have pledged to source or utilize a substantial portion of their total consumption using sustainable raw materials and processes, by the year 2025.

India's textile and apparel industry employs 45 million people, second only to agriculture, accounts for 10 percent of the country's industrial production and accounts 11 percent of the export earnings.