Long criticised for its unsustainable practices and significant carbon footprint, the fashion industry is now faced with a pressing need for decarbonisation. Credit: Shutterstock

The textile and apparel industry has built up a bit of a reputation when it comes to its environmental footprint. The industry’s entire supply chain, ranging from the production of raw materials to manufacturing, transportation, and disposal, is closely linked to processes that emit high levels of carbon. This has led to an alarming prediction that global emissions from the fashion industry will rise by 50% by 2030, according to earth.org data.

Long criticised for its unsustainable practices and carbon footprint, there is an urgent push for decarbonisation across the industry in order to turn the tide.

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At the 2023 SAC Annual Meeting, the non-profit Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) launched the Manufacturer Climate Action Programme (MCAP) in partnership with fashion industry leaders, NIKE and Target Corp to tackle the pressing need for a reduction in CO2 emissions in the textile and apparel sectors, while also providing manufacturers with a path towards sustainability and decarbonisation.

Some retailers and companies are putting in efforts to curb textile waste with the Fashion Transparency Index 2023 explaining that mitigating fashion waste remains the elephant in the room with a 3% increase in fashion brands not disclosing their annual production volumes (88% in 2023 compared to 85% in 2022).

For example, a new report from resale platform provider Trove and software provider Worldly shared ways resale could decarbonise fashion. It also found that maximising control over resale programmes and used product revenue delivers the most greenhouse gas accounting benefits.

Prominent luxury fashion brands like Prada and Burberry have committed to reforestation projects and other sustainability initiatives to offset the environmental impact caused by their production and transportation activities.

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The need for decarbonisation in the textile and apparel industry is not a passing fad, but an essential requirement. It is a call to action to safeguard our planet, conserve resources and secure a sustainable future.

Brands that adopt this vital approach will diminish their environmental footprint and establish themselves as frontrunners in a world where sustainability is no longer a choice. It’s time for the industry to thread the needle of change and sew a greener, more sustainable future for us all.

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