Sita Jasthy

Sita Jasthy ⋅ 9th October 2022

The term Planet is one of the four pillars of the fashion industry. In context to fashion business this term is relevant towards the industry through sustainability in production, manufacturing and branding. Sustaining the planet has become of growing importance, due to immense economic and technological growth.

In 2015 the United Nations created the 17 Sustainable Development Goal, this agenda was aimed at creating a more sustainable future that will “build economic growth and address a range of social needs while tackling climate change” (United Nations, 2015). In context to the fashion industry, goal 12 responsible consumption and production is the most relevant aim in relation to the fashion industry’s impact on the planet. Production from 2000 to 2014 has doubled, this overproduction of garments is expected to have increased further by 2022. The overproduction in the industry caused by the increase in fast fashion brands has led to increased carbon emissions (Moran 2022).

Fig 1. (*United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, 2015*)

Fashion becoming sustainable means that the industry aims to meet current economic, social and environmental needs without compromising the future generations’ resources. However, the industry is facing concerns over raw materials such as cotton. Having seen a fall in market share from 27% to 24% in 2021 (R.Deeley, 2022). This figure shows that despite the warnings, the industry priories inefficent resources such as polyester. Though the industry has found ways to recycle plastics into polyester, this is only 8.9% of the market’s raw materials in 2021 (R.Deeley, 2022). The Fashion production process requires more research into finding sustainable resources.

“CO2 emissions must fall by about 45% by 2030” prediction by the UN warns that industrial consumption needs to fall back. (UN Report, 2018), this report has applied pressure on industry to develop a more sustainable focus. Fashion in relation to sustainability is about adopting changes into the industry by discovering new approaches. An example of this would be to adopt a circular economy in replacement of the linear economy. A circular economy is a new strategy that encourages businesses and consumers to recycle and regenerate technical resources such as plastics and biodegradable materials such as wood, which can lead to positive effects such as reducing waste and pollution, gaining use of resources at their highest value and environmental improvement. (MacArthur, 2020). Creating a circular economy also places responsibility on the consumers, by allowing consumers to get the most out of their purchases and reduce waste. Choosing circular economy means the fashion industry will be able to become a more sustainable market.

Fashions sustainability is required and needed on today’s planet. To maintain and to grow the industry needs to consider researching and developing plans that can lead to a sustainable future.