Planet

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is defined as a plan or action to conserve a specific resource. And pillars refers to four different areas in sustainable development： purposes, people, profit and planet. (Future learn, 2017).

The four principles of sustainable development insist on solving the sustainable development problems extended by the four pillars. But it’s important to identify specific types of green businesses to focus on, as these four types have unique characteristics. Businesses need to make strategic decisions about this in order to effectively incorporate the chosen approach into their policies and procedures (ibid).

The planet is interacting responsibly with the planet to preserve natural resources and avoid jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Marni Evans also gives a clear example,” A walk on the beach or a hike in the woods reminds us that our forests, coral reefs, and even our deserts are examples of sustainable systems. Learn more about environmental sustainability to understand its importance and the role you can play.” (Evans, 2020).

All in all, the planet is a way to do something, to make future generations have a better environment to live in and have better resources.

What is circular economy?

Circular economy is an economic development model that is characterized by resource conservation and recycling and is in harmony with the environment. Emphasizes the organization of economic activities into a feedback process of “resources-products-renewable resources”. It is characterized by low exploitation, high utilization and low emission. (Gladek, 2019). All materials and energy can be used rationally and lastingly in this continuous economic cycle, so as to reduce the impact of economic activities on the natural environment to the smallest extent possible. Textiles and clothing are a fundamental part of everyday life and an important sector in the global economy.

The traditional business model of the fashion industry is inherently extractive. They focus on producing more product over time in a way that uses more resources and generates more waste. In contrast, circular business models focus on preserving the value of existing materials through perpetual recycling. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) defines a circular economy as one that designs waste and pollution, keeps products and materials in use, and regenerates natural systems. EMF believes that for the fashion industry to thrive, not just survive, it needs to fundamentally redesign its operating model and decouple financial success from natural resource consumption. The transition to a circular system has the potential to unlock enormous economic opportunities for brands willing to innovate and invest in new ways of doing business. (Textile exchange, no date).

What is sustainability in relation to fashion?

The clothing industry has become one of the largest polluting industries in the world. Every ton of textile products produced pollutes 200 tons of water, and every kilogram of fabric produced emits 23 kilograms of carbon dioxide gas. (Tree-Nation, 2022). High energy consumption, high pollution and labor-intensive, have become the three original sins of the fashion industry criticized. Nowadays, people’s economic conditions are better than accidents, and the frequency of buying clothes is also higher, resulting in countless clothes that are unsaleable and idle every year, which will cause secondary pollution again after being discarded. People need to do something to improve sustainability execution. UNECE, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Forest Organization, intends to promote forest fibers as a sustainable alternative to environmentally damaging fabrics. (UNECE,2021). At the same time, Olga Algayerova, UNECE Executive Secretary, said: “It is clear that the fashion industry needs to make changes. He needs to become greener and support transformations like a healthier working environment. Transforming the fashion industry into a sustainable development goal drivers.” (UNECE, 2021). Pollution concerns everyone. News often broadcasts about the large amount of pollution caused by a fashion factory’s sewage discharge. Meanwhile, people buy clothes when they want to buy . The root of this phenomenon is the culture of overconsumption. To reduce clothing pollution, we must start from our own reasonable consumption.

SDG 12 and the impact on the fashion industry

Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production. Sustainable consumption and production means promoting the efficient use of resources and energy, building sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic public services, green and decent jobs and improvements for all Quality of Life. Sustainable consumption and production aims to “produce more, better, and less”, increasing the net welfare gains from economic activity by reducing resource consumption, degradation and pollution throughout the life cycle while improving the quality of life.

SDG 12 is particularly committed to ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns and structures over eight goals, addressing the use of natural resources, chemical waste, fossil fuels and integrating sustainable practices into the production cycle – all of which apply to the fashion industry. (UNECE,2018). However, it’s not just producers who can make a difference. Target eight under the Goal addresses consumers’ right to know to better understand sustainability issues – an area that has received little attention from the fashion industry. For producers, waste in retail, production and supply chains needs to be cut in half. Reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse activities. To achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. For consumers, it is necessary to strengthen everyone’s awareness of sustainability and awareness of environmental pollution. Achieving this goal requires cooperation and resonance between producers and consumers.

REFERENCES:

Future Learn. 2017. “The four pillars of sustainability”. Available at: https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/sustainable-business/0/steps/78337 (Accessed: 10/10/22)

Evans, M. 2020. “What Is Environmental Sustainability?” Available at: https://www.liveabout.com/what-is-sustainability-3157876 (Accessed: 10/10/22)

Gladek, E. 2019. “The Seven Pillars of the Circular Economy” Available at: The Seven Pillars of the Circular Economy (metabolic.nl) (Accessed: 10/10/22)

Textile exchange. No date. “No title”. Available at: Circularity – Textile Exchange (Accessed: 10/10/22)

Tree- Nation. 2022. “The impact of the fashion industry on our planet”. Available at: The impact of the fashion industry on our planet | Tree-Nation – Project’s updates (Accessed: 10/10/22)

UNECE. 2021. “UN Alliance supports Moldova’s efforts to turn its fashion industry into a driver of sustainable development”. Available at: UN Alliance supports Moldova’s efforts to turn its fashion industry into a driver of sustainable development | UNECE (Accessed: 10/10/22)

UNECE. No date. “Fashion and the SDGs: what role for the UN?” Abailable at: RFSD_2018_Side_event_sustainable_fashion.pdf (unece.org) (Accessed: 10/10/22)