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)

Fashion business comprises four pillars; Planet, Purpose, People and Profit. The ‘Planet’ pillar refers to sustainability which looks at taking care of our planet, resources, and ecosystems and the benefits we reap from prioritising the health of our planet.

The Brundtland Report (1987) stated that sustainability is ‘meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.’ Currently, the fashion industry is far from sustainable. Fast fashion comes at a tremendous environmental and social cost, with recent statistics highlighting the need for change. For example, the clothing supply chain accounts for about 8% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, and vast amounts of waste are generated, with approximately 300,000 tonnes of clothing thrown away each year. While the impacts of the fashion industry are increasing, it can be argued that a shift towards sustainable fashion is evident in the form of a new model: the circular economy model. This model aims to produce goods and services while limiting the consumption and waste of raw materials, water and energy sources and acts as an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose of) in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible. Big brands such as Adidas and Nike have invested in creating shoes made from recycled materials by stopping waste products from going to landfills and transforming them into new products.

SDGs are a set of 17 goals backed up by 169 targets for the world’s future up until 2030. An example of 1 SDG proposed by the UN is Goal 6: Clean water and Sanitation. One target for goal 6 is that ‘by 2030, we should improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimising the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.’ There is a direct link between the Fashion industry and Goal 6. A prominent issue is chemical treatments for dying and garment production directly leaking into rivers and seas together with microfibres. Additionally, one wash load of polyester clothes can release 700,000 microplastic fibres into the environment, resulting in half a million tonnes of these microfibres dumped in the ocean yearly. Therefore, to contribute to the targets around Goal 6, businesses must look at the development of using less water as well as introducing a dye that does not run into the water supply.

References:

https://www.weavabel.com/blog/how-can-fashion-brands-transition-from-a-linear-to-a-circular-economy

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/07/13/sustainability-in-the-fashion-industry-avoiding-communication-landmines/?sh=44f433e761a6

https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/sustainable-fashion/

https://sdgs.un.org/goals

The four pillars of the fashion business industry are people, planet, profit, and purpose, planet is incorporated into the four pillars by environmental sustainability. Both the ecological and atmospherical environment have been affected by the pillar of Planet the influence it has for sustainability.

The circular economy is an economic business model which organizes by resource-saving and recycling in accordance with the environment. “Resource – product – renewable resource”, is the feedback process in which the circular economy, organizes economic activities. it is categorized by high utilization, low emissions, and low exploitation. The purpose of building a circular economy is to ensure that actions taken are not having a negative effect on the economy, this is done by recycling and refurbishing, for example, in the fashion industry, a circular economy could be executed by recycling materials from existing garments rather than throwing them away and incinerating the material. Fashion magazines such as Vogue and Glossy Magazine are changing their magazine focus to educate readers on how to live a more sustainable life when it comes to fashion by recycling, getting creative with old clothing, and shopping vintage. Vogue has also reported on issues such as climate change. As magazines have a lot of influential power in the fashion industry, I think that reporting on such issues is a great move towards a more sustainable fashion industry as it can influence readers of the magazines to start living more sustainably.

Sustainability in relation to fashion is the concept of sustainable fashion, this refers to garments that are resourced, designed and manufactured, distributed, and in the garments, afterlife recycled/reused in an environmentally friendly manner. However, the fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to climate change and pollution. Due to it being ‘the most wasteful industry on the planet, much of this is down to overproduction. Clothing production doubled between 2000 and 2014, McKinsey & Company reported, and numbers have risen further since. The consultancy also estimates that 40% of all items produced by the sector are sold at a markdown and tackling overproduction could reduce carbon emissions by 158 million tonnes a year.’ (Drapers, 2022). The waste products produced by the fashion industry pollute rivers and oceans, and most garments and footwear end up being incinerated or placed in landfill when consumers are getting rid of them. Businesses within the fashion industry need to work towards being more sustainable and this can be done by setting sustainable development goals.

Sustainable development goal(SDG) 12, is responsible consumption and production, this means ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. This goal is to move focus onto creating less waste and using fewer unnecessary resources to therefore create a positive impact on the environment. SDG 12 is a goal for businesses to reduce chemical and material waste, use sustainable consumption and production by 2030, and ensure that institutions globally are educated with relevant information to create awareness for sustainable lifestyles and development. Teaching sustainability educationally will help raise awareness among younger generations and help to move towards people making more environmentally friendly choices when disposing of their old garments and not purchasing from fast fashion businesses.

References ~

1)https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12 2)https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/sep/26/sustainable-is-the-new-black-top-editors-launch-new-wave-fashion-titles 3)https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview 4)https://www.study34.co.uk/pages/what-is-sustainable-fashion 5)https://www.gcu.edu/blog/business-management/people-planet-profit-looking-triple-bottom-line

The four pillars of a successful and sustainable fashion business are planet, people, profit and purpose. Using natural resources provided by the planet without a limit could lead to their extinction, which is why it is imperative that consumers and producers alike help create a better world for the generations to come through various sustainable practices.

Reusing, recycling, repairing, and thrifting are some of the ways through which consumers and producers can rethink and make more mindful adaptations in their consumption and/or production habits. The aforementioned terms can aid in turning the economy into a circular economy as opposed to the usual linear economy. The circular economy involves a method of production and consumption through which resources are utilised to their maximum capacity. Hence, in the fashion industry’s context, products, such as clothing, that are in rotation for usage for an extended period ‘create value repeatedly’ (Lee, 2021), which results in minimum pollution and wastage.

As businesses slowly shift into a sustainable model, it is essential to understand what it means. Sustainability is an aim set by companies and humans alike in order to make the world a more resourceful place for the next generations. This can be achieved by preventing the depletion of scarce resources while being environmentally conscious, making it the ‘most crucial transformation’ (Nieto-Rodriguez, 2022) in any business model. And while this remains the literal meaning of sustainability – in the fashion industry’s context, sustainability plays a significant role in producers’ and consumers’ production and consumption patterns. With more awareness, fashion consumers are switching from buying rapidly produced and consumed fast fashion clothes to slow fashion. Slow fashion puts an emphasis on durability via design concepts that strive to be classic and seasonless. The traditional method of production results in minimum pollution, and ethical manufacturing of the garments help create a socially-conscious environment for the workers.

17 Sustainable Development Goals were set in place by the United Nations in 2015 in order to ‘promote economic prosperity and good health while protecting (the) environment’ (Costa, 2019). While multiple SGDs such as responsible consumption and production, reduced inequalities, clean water and sanitation will help reduce pollution by the fashion industry – SDG number 13, Climate Action, plays an integral role in fighting the climate crisis, which could directly impact all the other aforementioned SGDs. Since harmful greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) are released into the atmosphere via the burning of fossil fuels in factories, it is imperative that the fashion industry takes action. They could do so by ‘liaising with a multitude of stakeholders’ and ‘working under different laws and legislation’ as compared to factories in other industries (Gwilt, 2020).

References:

Lee, L. (2021) Business of Fashion [online] 

Available at:

https://www.businessoffashion.com/opinions/sustainability/a-more-circular-fashion-industry-will-require-a-collective-effort/

(Accessed: 10 October 2022)

De Costa, J. (2019) Forbes [online]

Available at:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2019/11/14/an-improvement-science-approach-to-goal-setting/?sh=4f745e3542e2

(Accessed: 10 October 2022)

Nieto-Rodriguez, A. (2022) Harvard Business Review [online]

Available at:

https://hbr.org/2022/10/project-leaders-will-make-or-break-your-sustainability-goals

(Accessed: 10 October 2022)

Gwilt, A. (2020) A Practical Guide to Sustainable Fashion. London: Bloomsbury.

Gueye, S. (2021) Ellen Macarthur Foundation 

Available at:

https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/articles/the-trends-and-trailblazers-creating-a-circular-economy-for-fashion

(Accessed: 10 October 2022)

Planet as a pillar of Sustainability

As one of the pillars of Sustainability, the planet undoubtedly plays a vital role in the entire fashion industry. Examples include the extraction of natural materials, fuel for production, and other material aspects. However, the development of the fashion industry is causing significant damage to the planet. The fashion industry produces over 120 billion tons of CO2 annually (Jasmine Chinasamy, 2018) and contributes to climate change and pollution. It is clear that human activities are causing climate crises, putting the planet in danger. Considering this fact and performing active steps, you can successfully achieve Sustainability. One of these steps is the circular economy, which will be discussed further.

Figure 1. Textile pollution in Bangladesh.

Circular Economy

The circular economy is the opposite of a linear economy. However, it is far more sustainable. One of the main issues with the linear economy is the disposal at the end of the lifecycle and extraction of new resources. The circular economy focuses on reusing resources, avoiding wasting and extracting new resources. It should be borne in mind that the planet is the vital pillar of sustainability. A circular economy is essential to maintain it. Following such a simple principle as re-using, re-manufacturing or recycling will reduce waste and achieve climate neutrality faster (André Gonçalves, 2019).

Figure 2. Visualisation of linear and circular economy

Sustainability and Fashion

The concept of Circular Economy can be easily applied to the Fashion Industry. Part of conveying this economy into fashion is using recyclable and eco-friendly fabrics. It can be seen that brands are starting to replace the usual fabrics with more sustainable ones. An example of such a material is Econyl, which has replaced traditional nylon. Econyl uses synthetic waste to create new nylon (Darcie Carruthers, 2019). Such active actions on the production stage belong to one of the Sustainable Development Goals – Climate Action. It is true to say that customers cannot directly contribute to production. However, customers can contribute to it through another SDG – Responsible Consumption and Production.

Figure 3. Examples of sustainable fashion.

Responsible Consumption and Production

Responsible Consumption and Production is the 12th goal of SDG. So as stated earlier, it is easier for a customer to contribute to this particular STG. One step is the measured purchase of new items of clothing. Studies say that people do not wear at least 50% of their own clothes (Marjorie van Elven, 2018). This reckless consumption contributes to higher production volumes and world pollution. Another step is deliberate washing. Plastic particles washed from our synthetic clothes are polluting the ocean (Katie Okamoto, 2021). Overall, by reducing the volume of clothes we buy and the number of clothes we wash by wearing more carefully, everyone can contribute to Responsible Consumption and Production. By contributing to such a vital SDG, we can maintain the environmental pillar of sustainability.

Figure 4. Visualisation of the ocean pollution caused by washing clothes

References

Alves, A. (2021). Sustainable Fashion – A Comprehensive Guide + 10 New Designers (2021). [online] the vou. Available at: https://thevou.com/fashion/sustainable-fashion/.

Carruthers, D. (2015). Material Guide: How Sustainable Is ECONYL? [online] Good On You. Available at: https://goodonyou.eco/material-guide-econyl/.

Chinasamy, J. (2019). London Fashion Week: Fast facts about fast fashion. [online] Unearthed. Available at: https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2019/09/12/fast-facts-about-fast-fashion/.

Davis, N. (2020). Fast fashion speeding toward environmental disaster, report warns. The Guardian. [online] 7 Apr. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2020/apr/07/fast-fashion-speeding-toward-environmental-disaster-report-warns.

Islington Together. Circular economy | Together Greener. [online] Available at: https://togethergreener.islington.gov.uk/organisations/business-operations/circular-economy [Accessed 10 Oct. 2022].

Ljubljana, S. For World Oceans Day, People Want Washing Machines to Stop Polluting the Oceans. [online] Available at: https://www.newswire.com/news/for-world-oceans-day-people-want-washing-machines-to-stop-polluting-21404210 [Accessed 10 Oct. 2022].

Marjorie van Elven (2018). People do not wear at least 50 percent of their wardrobes, says study. [online] Fashionunited.uk. Available at: https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/people-do-not-wear-at-least-50-percent-of-their-wardrobes-according-to-study/2018081638356.

Okamoto, K. (2021). Your Laundry Sheds Harmful Microfibers. Here’s What You Can Do About It. [online] Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/reduce-laundry-microfiber-pollution/.

Youmatter. (2019). Only 9% of the world is circular. How has the linear economy been destroying the Earth? [online] Available at: https://youmatter.world/en/is-circular-economy-the-key-to-fight-climate-change-a-circle-economy-report/.

In the Fashion industry, one of the significant factors is ‘Planet’. Planet is one of the four major pillars referenced in Fashion business. When referencing the ‘Planet’ pillar, it is in relation to sustainability and the responsibility of how environmentally friendly we are when consuming and producing a product. The Fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters being responsible for hundreds of billion of items produced globally, using thousands of different and destructive chemicals and then three out of five items end up in landfills in twelve months (www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Can Fashion Be Sustainable? | BBC Earth. [online] Available at: https://youtu.be/ZoiU8sprXpQ). This is effectively called ‘Linear Economy’, when materials are taken, then made into items and then disposed of quickly after. The average family produces thirty kilograms of clothing every year and only fifteen percent of that gets donated or recycled meaning the rest gets incarnated or sent to landfills. Due to this damaging cycle, the fashion industry contributes to greenhouse gasses (CO2), De-forestation, soil degradation, water pollution, waste accumulation and high-water usage (www.youtube.com. (n.d.). What is SUSTAINABLE FASHION. [online] Available at: https://youtu.be/A5DQhbrKoB8 [Accessed 9 Oct. 2022). In order for the fashion industry to meet the quintessential goal of being able to achieve a carbon neutral industry and a sustainable future – we must incorporate a circular economy as oppose to a linear economy. A circular economy is a model production and consumption where a product is created to be re-used, easily renewed and recycled. In relation to the Fashion industry, having a circular economy would generate a sustainable future in fashion. Helping to decrease fast fashion and the use of lad-fills. Sustainability in relation to fashion can radically reduce the negative impact that the industry has towards the planet. The constant need for cheaper, faster clothes has a severe effect on one of the SDGs, number 12. The twelve goal is Responsible Consumption and production which is also a goal for the Fashion Industry too. Our reliance on natural resources is increasing, over sixty five percent globally from 2000 to 2019 (United Nations (n.d.). Goal 12 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. [online] sdgs.un.org. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12.). The unsustainable patterns within and outside the fashion industry is the cause of the ‘Triple Planetary Crisis’ which is Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Pollution. We as consumers and producers must acknowledge our roles in causing environmental and human harm. (Remake. (n.d.). Remake — Ethically Fashionable. [online] Available at: https://remake.world.). 

Planet is one of the four pillars of fashion business industry, which is embodied by environmental sustainability. “Planet” has a influence on sustainability is mainly manifested in atmospheric environment, ecological environment and other natural factors.

The circular economy(Fig) is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended (
European Parliament,2022). The model of circular economy means that resources are fully utilized. It entails redesigning products to be more durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable (CHATHAM HOUSE,2021). It also means changing the way we consume and use goods and services, and rethinking consumerism as a society (ibid). UNCTAD’s work on the circular economy started in 2015 with a collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation on resource-circularity potentials in large economies like India and China (UNCTAD, no date). Circularity is already part of many lines of work within UNCTAD, such as activities on tackling fossil fuel and fisheries subsidies (ibid). 

Linking sustainability with fashion, the concept of sustainable fashion emerges. Sustainable fashion refers to clothing that is designed, manufactured, distributed, and used in ways that are environmentally friendly (Green Dreamer, no date).However, the fashion industry has a negative impact on sustainability. Arguably the fashion and textile industry is unsustainable in its current form. It makes a significant contribution to the global economy, but it uses a disproportionately large amounts of natural resources; its waste products pollute rivers and oceans; and when garments and footwear reach the end of their lives, most are burned or placed in landfill (Economist impact,2020). 

climate action and fashion are interacting.

Reducing emissions has become one of the most important measures to deal with climate change. The fashion industry contributes a lot to climate change. McKinsey research shows that the sector was responsible for some 2.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions in 2018, about 4 percent of the global total. To set that in context, the fashion industry emits about the same quantity of GHGs per year as the entire economies of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom combined (McKinsey& Company,2020). To better cope with the effects of climate change, the fashion industry has also taken effective measures. They are taking action in three different areas: Reducing emissions from upstream operations；Reducing emissions from brands’ own operations；Encouraging sustainable consumer behavior(ibid

).

CHATHAM HOUSE (2021) What is the circular economy? Available at:https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/06/what-circular-economy  (Accessed on Oct 9^th)

Economist impact (2020) Is Sustainability in Fashion? Available at:https://impact.economist.com/sustainability/circular-economies/is-sustainability-in-fashion?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=18156330227&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl-S_vKbU-gIVhWDmCh15xg4EEAAYASAAEgK8tfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds  (Accessed on Oct 9^th)

European Parliament (2022) Circular economy: definition, importance and benefits  Available at:https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/economy/20151201STO05603/circular-economy-definition-importance-and-benefits (Accessed on Oct 9^th.)

Green Dreamer (no date) What is Sustainable Fashion? Available at:https://greendreamer.com/journal/what-is-sustainable-fashion (Accessed on Oct 9^th)

McKinsey& Company (2020) fashion on climate Available at:https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/fashion-on-climate (Accessed on Oct 9^th)

UNCTAD (no date) Circular Economy Available at: https://unctad.org/topic/trade-and-environment/circular-economy  (Accessed on Oct 9^th)

Planet is a crucial pillar of the Fashion Business School. It discusses the importance of sustainability and the value of maintaining a healthy planet for consumers and producers alike. It is a relevant point of discussion in relation to the $1.5 trillion dollar fashion industry (P.Smith, 2022). The industry is one of the greatest contributors towards the destruction of our planet. It ‘produced around 2.1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2018’ which is ‘the equivalent to the combined annual emissions of France, Germany and the UK’ (Achim Berg, Anna Granskog, Libbi Lee, Karl Hendrik Magnus, 2020). Fashion has an undisputed detrimental impact; it is crucial it provides solutions before the point of climate catastrophe.  

Industry Greenhouse Gas emissions:

‘the equivalent to the combined annual emissions of France, Germany and the United Kingdom’

McKinsey&Co, Fashion on Climate: How the Fashion Industry can urgently act to reduce its GHG Emissions

In close collaboration with the Planet pillar comes the term sustainability. As defined by the UN, sustainability is ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (United Nations,1987). Fashion does not adhere to this definition of sustainability. It meets the needs of the present, but not without cost to the future. Overproduction is a contributing factor – ‘an environmentally catastrophic strategy’ (Graeme Moran,2022). Consumer desire for newness drives strategy towards constant input of new lines, with outdated ones straight left to waste. A brand that champions this strategy is Zara. They ship ‘new items to the 6,500 boutiques’ ‘twice a week’ (Thomas Dana, 2019), making it ‘roughly four times more profitable than its peers’ (Thomas Dana,2019) but also one of the worst contributors towards the unsustainable fast fashion crisis. Fashion must become more sustainable in all areas from the first stages of consumption to the consumption and usage of apparel.  

An opportunity to become more sustainable is a new Circular System. Circularity is a way in which fashion can improve sustainability and limit any further negative impact. It can put an end to the wasteful linear system. The Circular Economy ensures clothes are reused as much as possible in order to reduce their carbon footprint. It discourages overconsumption and encourages the recycling, recovery and reuse of garments.  

A Sustainable Development Goal that closely links to fashion is Climate Action. The goal pressurizes the trillion-dollar industry to assist in the fight for a climate solution. It highlights malpractice within brands and encourages multinational companies to spread a climate aware message to consumers. An example of this is Kourtney Kardashian and Boohoo’s new sustainable, as labelled, partnership. An individual with such an influence upon a ‘captive audience of fans who may not necessarily know- or care – much about sustainable fashion’ can aid the progression of the Climate Action goal. If consumers care, brands will follow.  

Reference List 

Achim Berg, Anna Granskog, Libbi Lee, Karl Hendrik Magnus, 2020, Fashion on climate: How the fashion industry can urgently act to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions, (https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/fashion-on-climate) (08/10/22) 

Graeme Moran,2022, Collaborating for Change: Sustainability Report 2022, https://www.drapersonline.com/guides/collaborating-for-change-sustainability-report-2022, (09/10/22)  

P.Smith, 2022, Statista (https://www.statista.com/forecasts/821415/value-of-the-global-apparel-market) (08/10/22) 

Thomas Dana, 2019, Fashionopolis, p37, p38 

United Nations, 1987, United Nations Brundtland Commission, https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/sustainability (09/10/22) 

Humans have a harmful impact to the planet through the use and production of fashion. Planet is an important pillar in the industry focusing on sustainability and aims to benefit and save our environment against a catastrophe. Waste is a key problem with the main cause being overproduction of stock. ‘The last 15 yearshas seen the doubling of production, while there has been a 40% drop in the amount of time clothing are worn.’ (Ellen Macarthur Foundation, 2021) The need for sustainability is increasing, forcing brands to recreate innovative business strategies to meet the future demands. Sustainability shouldn’t be seen as a trend but a way for society to build together positive values through the industry.

To anticipate the future we need a paradigm change, focusing on a circular economy. A constructive cycle minimising waste and pollution giving materials, products and recourses the longest life achievable. In comparison to the liner system operating on ‘take, make, use, waste’, materials and products aren’t utilised to their full potential. (Conde Nast, 2020) According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a circular economy goes beyond simply minimising negative effects but ‘a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience, generates business and economic opportunities, and provides environmental and societal benefits.’ (Gwilt, 2020, p.10)

A major concern, sustainable fashion is a strategic processes of positive changes in the industry that values diversity, prosperity and the well being of our planet. This significant factor concentrates on the industry’s design, production, communication, wearing, and end of life. Over the last 30 years sustainability has slowly entered the spotlight within the industry, however researchers pointed out that not enough physical breakthrough has been achieved. Although there isn’t going to be 100% sustainability within the industry a change needs to happen. Pretty Little Thing and other retailers have organised a resale model to give people’s unwanted clothing a second chance because waste is a significant sustainability concern in the industry. ‘MISTRA Future Fashion research project (2011-2019) showed that using clothes three times longer can reduce their carbon footprint by 65% and their water use by 66%.’ (Conde Nast, 2020)

Sustainable development goal 12 ‘Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns,’ focuses on making a positive impact on the environment by using less unnecessary recourses. 12 has targets and indicators along side to give businesses a goal which they can work towards.’By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.’ This target core is to educate globally in institutions as part of the curricula. Creating sustainability as an educational concept will raise the awareness of all humans especially Gen Z who could make the biggest movement within the target. Knowing the production values of a company will make a consumer feel subconsciously guilty if they dispose of their clothing poorly or purchase carefree from fast fashion businesses. Education is key. (United Nations, 2022) 

Bibliography:

Condenast (2020) The sustainable fashion glossary. Available at: https://www.condenast.com/glossary/glossary-introduction (Accessed: 8th October 2022)

earth.org (2022) 10 Stunning fast fashion waste statistics. Available at: https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/ (Accessed: 9th October 2022)

Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2010) Circular economy introduction, How to Build a Circular Economy. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Available at: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/articles/the-trends-and-trailblazers-creating-a-circular-economy-for-fashion (Accessed: 9th October 2022)

Gwilt, A (2020) A Practical Guide to Sustainable Fashion, Bloomsbury Publishing USA, London.  

United Nations (2022) Sustainable development goals. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12 (Accessed: 9th October 2022)