Can the Fashion Industry Live Up to Its Climate Promises? A Decade Later, the Answer is a Resounding No.
As the UN’s COP climate summit kicks off in the lush Amazon rainforest, a stark reminder of what’s at stake, we must ask: Has the fashion industry done enough to combat climate change? The answer, unfortunately, is a resounding no.
It’s been a decade since the historic Paris Agreement, and while fashion brands initially jumped on the sustainability bandwagon, their promises are now fading. Global emissions are still rising, and the past decade has seen record-breaking temperatures. The fashion industry, despite its efforts, is falling short of its 2030 targets, and the consequences are dire.
But here’s where it gets controversial: With rising temperatures, more intense weather extremes are becoming the new normal, and the industry’s progress towards reducing its carbon footprint seems to be stalling.
According to a report, the industry’s emissions increased by a significant 7.5% in 2023, driven by increased polyester use and higher production volumes. This upward trend continues, and by the end of the decade, the sector’s emissions are projected to be far above the reduction needed to align with the Paris goals.
The UN’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action has seen a drop in participation, with many companies rolling back their climate pledges or going quiet on the topic. Some have even lost accreditation for failing to meet basic requirements.
And this is the part most people miss: The industry’s real challenge lies in curbing supply-chain emissions, where the bulk of its environmental impact occurs. Most brands are failing to address this, focusing instead on renewable energy within their own operations.
Progress among the biggest players is mixed. While some, like H&M Group and Adidas, have reported absolute reductions in their carbon footprint, others, like Shein, have seen supply-chain emissions grow.
The road ahead is messy and costly. Companies like Shahi Exports had to phase out coal in their textile mills, but the switch to biomass boilers was expensive and not a long-term solution. Environmentalists criticize biomass as a flawed stop-gap, leading to carbon emissions and other air pollution concerns.
The changes needed are expensive, and the solutions often flawed. Some countries offer policy incentives for renewable energy, but others, like Bangladesh, lack such support. Many manufacturers struggle with access to funding, and even larger players face challenges justifying long-term investments.
The biggest unlock for the sector, according to experts, is longer-term sourcing commitments and more equal partnerships. The industry must also address the elephant in the room: protecting its workforce from the impacts of climate change.
In countries like Bangladesh, rising temperatures are causing heat stress, and the cost of inaction is high, threatening both livelihoods and business security. It’s not just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions; it’s about creating a resilient industry fit for the future.
So, can fashion still meet its climate promises? The answer lies in a collective effort to address not just emissions but also the industry’s adaptation to a changing climate. The clock is ticking, and the stakes have never been higher.