Fashion Industry’s Journey to NetZero (Part 1)

Jan 14, 2025
The alarming rise in global temperatures is directly linked to the escalating carbon emissions stemming from industrial activities, transportation systems, and energy production. In this context, stakeholders, particularly businesses that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, must take decisive action to mitigate their environmental impact.

Fashion supply chains are among the most resource-intensive and environmentally damaging in the world, heavily reliant on the extraction of natural resources and adhering to a linear model of production and consumption. Consequently, the fashion industry’s production and consumption processes have inflicted severe and lasting damage on the planet.

Paris is famous for fashion and is now also famous for the Paris Agreement. The Agreement establishes long-term objectives aimed at guiding all nations towards a sustainable future. These include significantly reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the rise in global temperatures to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with a concerted effort to cap the increase at 1.5°C (United Nations, 2024a). This ambitious target is vital for reducing the risks and impacts of climate change. Additionally, the Agreement calls for periodic assessments of collective progress toward achieving its overarching goals. It also emphasizes the importance of providing financial support to developing countries, enabling them to mitigate climate change, bolster resilience, and enhance their capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change (United Nations, 2024a).

In the fashion industry, achieving sustainability has become imperative, driven by rising investor expectations, consumer demand for eco-friendly products, and the tightening of environmental regulations. Moreover, talent is increasingly gravitating toward sustainable companies, and significant value is being realized by early adopters of sustainable practices - a value that pioneering companies are already capturing. This blog delves into the industry’s carbon challenges and underscores the critical importance of partnerships between brands, suppliers, and consumers in driving sustainability. By embracing a relational-based approach, the fashion sector can progress towards a more sustainable future, harmonizing environmental responsibility with innovation and consumer demand.

What is NetZero?

NetZero refers to a condition where the volume of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted into the Earth's atmosphere is balanced by the amount removed (McKinsey & Company, 2022). Achieving this balance requires efforts to reduce emissions and remove carbon through decarbonization strategies. NetZero greenhouse gas emissions occur when the emissions released are offset by the amount of carbon that is captured or removed, a concept also known as "carbon neutrality" (McKinsey & Company, 2022). This balance is essential for stabilizing global temperatures and reducing the impact of climate change, helping to ensure a sustainable future for the planet (McKinsey & Company, 2022).

The Urgency of Achieving Net Zero in the Fashion Industry

The fashion industry is widely acknowledged as a cornerstone of the global economy, playing a crucial role in generating employment and driving economic growth, particularly in low and middle-income countries (Xu et al., 2024b). Additionally, the sector is instrumental in improving household income and increasing access to affordable clothing for economically disadvantaged populations. However, the rapid growth of the fashion industry has also led to significant sustainability challenges that require urgent attention (Xu et al., 2024b).

The fashion industry is recognized as one of the most polluting sectors, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions (Smith, 2022). The fashion industry is responsible for a staggering 2 to 8 percent of global carbon emissions, a significant and alarming contribution that highlights the sector's impact on the environment. This range reflects the extensive carbon footprint of various stages in the fashion supply chain, from raw material production and manufacturing to transportation, retail, and the disposal of garments (Nijman, 2022). 

The fashion industry’s emissions continue to increase primarily because most products are made from fossil fuel-based materials like polyester, manufactured in coal-powered factories, and rely on electricity generated from fossil fuels - a challenge the industry has yet to address effectively (erdene, 2024). In 2022, it was estimated that the industry emitted approximately 879 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents into the atmosphere. If current trends continue without substantial intervention, emissions are projected to exceed 1.2 billion metric tons by 2030 (Smith, 2022).

Projected carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of the apparel industry worldwide from 2019 to 2030 (in million metric tons) (Smith, 2022)

The textile industry is one of the largest consumers of natural resources, particularly water and land. For instance, producing a single cotton t-shirt requires approximately 2,700 liters of fresh water - enough to meet one person’s drinking needs for 2.5 years (European Parliament, 2024). Additionally, substantial land is required to grow cotton and other fibers, adding further strain on the environment. In 2020, the textile sector ranked as the third-largest contributor to both water degradation and land use. On average, the production of clothing and footwear for each EU citizen consumed 9 cubic meters of water, 400 square meters of land, and 391 kilograms of raw materials (European Parliament, 2024).

Textile production also accounts for approximately 20% of global water pollution, primarily due to the dyeing and finishing processes. Furthermore, washing synthetic fabrics such as polyester can release up to 700,000 microplastic fibers per load, many of which ultimately enter the food chain (European Parliament, 2024). Microplastics from textiles are most notably released during the first few washes. The fast fashion model, characterized by mass production, low prices, and rapid turnover, exacerbates this issue, as the frequent first washes associated with new clothing items contribute significantly to the problem. Each year, over half a million tonnes of microplastics from synthetic textiles end up in the oceans, leading to long-term environmental damage.

The pollution caused by textile production goes beyond the environment - it also affects the health of local communities, wildlife, and ecosystems near production facilities. In 2020, textile consumption in the EU alone resulted in approximately 270 kg of CO2 emissions per person (European Parliament, 2024). Collectively, textile consumption in the EU generated 121 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the significant environmental footprint of the sector.

Another pressing issue is textile waste, driven in part by shifting consumer behaviors, where many clothes are discarded rather than donated. Less than half of used clothing is collected for reuse or recycling, and only 1% is converted into new garments (European Parliament, 2024). Recycling technologies that can transform old clothes into virgin fibers are still in their early stages, making large-scale recycling difficult. On average, Europeans purchase nearly 26 kilograms of textiles annually, discarding around 11 kilograms of it. While some used clothing is exported outside the EU, a staggering 87% ends up in landfills or is incinerated (European Parliament, 2024).

Moreover, the constantly shifting fashion trends significantly contribute to the industry's environmental impact, with Fast Fashion being a major factor in this growing concern. Fast Fashion is a term retailers use to describe low-cost fashion lines that are quickly designed and produced to meet the latest trends. Traditionally, the industry would introduce seasonal collections, but now, many fast fashion retailers release new products every week, or even daily, to keep up with the constantly changing fashion trends.

The term "Fast Fashion" first emerged in the 1960s when young people began creating new trends, and fashion became a means of expressing individuality. However, it wasn't until the late 1990s and early 2000s, with the rapid rise of online shopping, that "Fast Fashion" truly exploded and became the dominant trend. Major brands such as H&M, Zara, and Topshop gradually took over the market, changing how fashion was consumed, from high-end to budget-friendly. Fast fashion brands succeeded in replicating designs from famous designers but with cheap materials and quick production processes.

Notably, the lifecycle of each fast fashion design has become increasingly short, often lasting only a few weeks. New styles are produced, shipped to stores worldwide quickly, and launched in massive advertising campaigns, urging consumers to shop to keep up with trends. One factor contributing to the appeal of "Fast Fashion" is the fear of missing out and the encouragement of continuous shopping. Masoud Golsorkhi from Tank magazine, London, points out that brands like Zara create a sense of urgency for consumers: "If you don't buy now, the product may not be available anymore." This causes consumers to feel compelled to make an immediate purchase, even if they don't actually need the item. One reason "Fast Fashion" has become incredibly popular is its accessibility to a broad range of consumers, particularly younger people. These brands offer eye-catching designs but at prices only a fraction of high-end brands. This is what draws many consumers, especially those with middle incomes, into the never-ending cycle of shopping.

Although it provides significant consumer benefits, "Fast Fashion" has caused serious environmental and social consequences. The rapid production speed and short lifecycle of products have created a vast amount of waste, much of which is not easily biodegradable. Millions of tons of clothing are discarded each year, while cheap materials often contain plastics, making recycling difficult.

Conclusion

Given the substantial environmental footprint of the fashion industry, particularly due to the rise of fast fashion, it has become increasingly evident that urgent and concerted action is essential. To effectively control and reduce their environmental influence, fashion companies must commit to NetZero emissions. This commitment is no longer a mere option but a necessity for the industry's survival and its contribution to global sustainability goals. By adopting a net-zero target, fashion brands can demonstrate accountability, align with evolving consumer expectations, and meet regulatory pressures. Moreover, such a commitment will foster innovation in sustainable production practices, responsible material sourcing, and circular fashion models.

As brands become increasingly aware of their environmental impact, committing to net zero emissions is becoming vital. This transition towards sustainability and net zero commitments is essential for the future of the fashion industry, aligning with rising consumer expectations and regulatory demands while addressing the urgent need for environmental accountability. In 2018, stakeholders in the garment sector united to commit to climate action through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. Signatories of this Charter pledge to achieve a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, based on 2015 levels, and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. This goal presents a formidable challenge, as realizing a 30% decrease in emissions would necessitate cutting more than half a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually across the sector by 2030. Achieving this target will require comprehensive changes at the system level concerning how textiles and garments are produced and consumed, which will likely have substantial implications for production methods and associated employment within the industry.

Reference

United Nations. (2024a). The Paris Agreement. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/paris-agreement

McKinsey & Company. (2022, November 28). What is net zero? McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-net-zero#/

Xu, W., Jia, F. (Jeff), Chen, L., & Schoenherr, T. (2024b). Editorial: Sustainable transition in textile and apparel industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 443, 141081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141081

Smith, P. (2022, December 9). Apparel Industry CO2e Emissions 2019-2030. Statista; www.statista.com. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1305696/apparel-industry-co2e-emissions/

Nijman, S. (2022, June 21). UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion Addresses Damage of “Fast Fashion.” UNEP - UN Environment Programme; United Nations. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-alliance-sustainable-fashion-addresses-damage-fast-fashion

erdene. (2024, November 20). No more fashion shows at COP29. Here’s what we need to see. - Stand.earth. Stand.earth. https://stand.earth/insights/fashion-at-cop29/

European Parliament. (2024, March 21). The Impact of Textile Production and Waste on the Environment (infographics). European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20201208STO93327/the-impact-of-textile-production-and-waste-on-the-environment-infographics

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