Planet
Sienna Amico
Sustainable development has been described as ‘meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs’ (Brundtland report, 1987). This can be divided into four pillars, with ‘planet’ being a main point of concern. ‘Planet’ considers the environmental impact of the fashion industry and calls for increased awareness and action from both consumers and corporations in response to the current climate crisis.
The fashion industry significantly effects the planet in countless ways, from air, water and land pollution to deforestation and irresponsible use of fossil fuels and natural resources. It is currently one of the main contributors to global warming, responsible for 8-10% of carbon emissions (UNEP, 2018). If this continues at the same rate, the damage done to the environment will be irreversible, making the situation a climate emergency.
Circularity is an important element of sustainable development which suggests a shift from the linear model of ‘take, make, waste’ to a more circular structure. This involves reusing and regenerating resources to extend life cycles of garments and keep materials in use for longer. This circular economy aims to minimise use of new materials while also avoiding waste (Gwilt, 2020).
In 2015, the United Nations set the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to ‘end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere’ (UN, 2015). To be achieved by 2030, the goals act as a framework to make the necessary transformational, fundamental changes in the way we live on Earth. They can be seen as exponential, many stemming from the first ‘no poverty’ goal, as well as integrated and interconnected, applying to all industries, organisations and individuals.
Many of the STGs specifically relate to environmental sustainability, as well as the fashion industry, such as 12- ‘responsible consumption and production’. For fashion businesses, this involves consuming resources at a slower rate with more consideration of the type of fibres used, as well as altering production methods to limit greenhouse gas emissions. While this is likely to make significant progress to reaching the goal, individual consumers making smaller changes will also add up, such as avoiding overconsumption of fast fashion garments and understanding the environmental consequences of their behaviour. However, it is important to note that sustainable consumerism isn’t achievable for everyone as the industry is built around capitalist ideologies and lack of transparency, making it hard to make informed purchasing decisions, especially on a budget.
Brundtland Report (1987)
https://www.are.admin.ch/are/en/home/media/publications/sustainable-development/brundtland-report.html(accessed 8/10/22)
Gwilt (2020) A Practical Guide to Sustainable Fashion. London: Fairchild Books.
https://libsearch.arts.ac.uk/cgibin/koha/opacdetail.pl?biblionumber=1452042&query_desc= (accessed 8/10/22)
UNEP (2021) Putting breaks on fast fashion
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/putting-brakes-fast-fashion
(accessed 8/10/22)
United Nations (2015) Sustainable Development Goals
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/
(accessed 8/10/22)
