Planet
‘Planet’ is one of the four pillars of the Fashion Business School, which incorporates aspects of sustainability, circularity & the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, which will be discussed later.
The Circular Economy is based on three principles; designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use and regenerating natural systems (‘What is Circular Economy?’, Ellen McArthur Foundation, 2017). It is a process designed to overcome issues in relation to production, consumption and responsibility. Circularity should aim to use resources available in a sustainable manner without compromising the resource requirements for future generations, such as oil and fossil fuels. In addition, research should be continuously conducted to discover new resources that do not cause negative impacts such as high carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to climate change. Circularity is needed within the fashion industry in order to bring about significant changes which are essential to reduce the negative impacts faced globally as a result of the industry’s actions. For example, one truck full of clothing is being burned or put into a landfill every second (“Fashion & A Circular Economy”, Ellen McArthur Foundation,2018) causing severe environmental implications such as extensive greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate this, consumers can reduce their carbon footprint by shopping more consciously and less often. On the other hand, it takes an average of 5,196 litres of water to produce a pair of jeans in Brazil (Simone Preuss, Fashion United, 2019) which is significant. However, 92% of water consumption comes from rainwater which has no environmental impact, therefore, reducing the country’s negative impact on water sources.
(Ellen McArthur Foundation, ‘A Model for a New Textiles Economy’, 2017)
Sustainability within the fashion industry covers a range of systems, ideas, and processes, from sourcing responsibly made materials to reducing a brand’s carbon footprint by shortening the supply chain. Sustainability within fashion is evident, for example, with Stella McCartney who uses organic cotton and low-impact dyes which do not affect water sources (Alison Gwilt, ‘A Practical Guide to Sustainable Fashion’, Page 38, 2009). Introducing sustainable practices into the industry in a more widespread manner will encourage contributors to do their part. This involves actions from brands, suppliers, and consumers individually.
(Stella McCartney Landfill Campaign A/W, Scotland, 2017, Huff Post)
Sustainable Development Goal 12 ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’ has relevance and impact on the fashion industry as it relates to the supply chains of brands. To reduce carbon footprint, waste and other impacts, the industry needs to make significant changes, for example using fabric dyes that do not have environmental impacts if polluted into communal water sources. Also, brands need to ensure that employees are treated fairly, this includes; pay and working conditions, especially when production is outsourced to developing countries. If not, supply chains become less and less responsible, having knock-on negative impacts on communities worldwide, leading to exploitation and a negative brand image.
Reference List
Susan Devaney, Stella McCartney Landfill Campaign, Scotland 2017, Huff Post
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/stella-mccartney-sustainability-landfill-site_uk_596f35f5e4b0a03aba8630fa
Alison Gwilt, A Practical Guide to Sustainable Fashion, 2009, Bloomsbury Publishing USA
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ual/reader.action?docID=6234061
Ellen McArthur Foundation, A New Textiles Economy, 2017
https://emf.thirdlight.com/link/2axvc7eob8zx-za4ule/@/preview/1?o
Ellen McArthur Foundation, 2017
https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview
Simone Preuss, Fashion United, 2019
https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/vicunha-introduces-project-for-reducing-water-consumption-in-jeans-production/2019070544098