The fashion industry shows progress in reducing carbon emissions and water usage.
- Despite achievements, increased production offsets environmental advancements.
- Carbon emissions reduced by 8%; water usage decreased by 9% per tonne.
- Overall carbon footprint reduction was a mere 0.2%, with water usage increasing by 1.2%.
- The industry faces a critical need to address overproduction and enhance sustainability.
Recent findings by the environmental charity WRAP highlight both achievements and challenges within the fashion industry. Participating brands and retailers in the Textiles 2030 scheme have made strides in environmental sustainability by achieving an 8% reduction in carbon emissions and a 9% reduction in water usage per tonne. This progress is attributed to the adoption of sustainable fibres, circular business models, and increased textile collection efforts.
However, these positive changes are overshadowed by a significant 10% rise in production, which has effectively nullified the environmental benefits. The net result is a negligible decrease of only 0.2% in the overall carbon footprint of the signatories and a 1.2% increase in their water footprint. WRAP attributes this increase in production partially to a 2.2% population growth, pointing out the urgent need to address what it describes as ‘spiralling unsustainable levels of production.’
Catherine David from WRAP emphasises, ‘Overall, the pace and scale of change is insufficient. If we are to get back on track to hit the 2030 targets, it’s time now to move beyond low-hanging fruit and delve into fundamental transformations.’ This statement underscores the pressing need for the industry to tackle both overproduction and overconsumption while exploring all available options to mitigate environmental impact.
Among the opportunities identified are initiatives such as resale of preloved clothing, takeback schemes, rental models, and repair services. WRAP notes a 9.7% growth in revenue from peer-to-peer resale platforms, with a potential £30 billion worth of unused products in UK wardrobes and a significant expected growth in re-commerce over the next five years.
Further efforts by WRAP include the development of a Circular Design Toolkit for Fashion and Textiles in collaboration with project signatories. In partnership with the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour, they are working on industry-first benchmarks for product durability, examining both physical and emotional aspects. This three-year project, concluding in 2025, aims to set new standards for sustainable fashion.
The fashion industry must urgently address overproduction to ensure sustainable progress aligns with environmental goals.
