25-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Apparel Sector Emissions Rise 7% in 2023: Aii Report
The apparel industry saw a 7.5% year-on-year rise in carbon emissions in 2023, according to the Apparel Impact Institute's (Aii) annual Taking Stock of Progress Against the Roadmap to Net Zero 2025 report. This is the first recorded emissions increase since Aii began tracking progress in 2019, with total emissions reaching 944 million tonnes—nearly 2% of the world's total output.
The spike was primarily driven by rising production volumes, especially in ultra-fast fashion, and growing reliance on virgin polyester, which now accounts for 57% of global fiber use. Recycled alternatives remain vastly underutilized.
Despite the sector-wide rise, the report highlights encouraging climate progress among individual companies and suppliers. Several brands have lowered their direct emissions (scope 1 and 2) by investing in renewable energy and phasing out coal. Notable climate leaders include H&M, which cut scope 3 emissions by 23% since 2019, as well as Fast Retailing, Puma, and Inditex, all reporting substantial reductions.
On the supply side, significant initiatives include Artistic Milliners' $100 million renewable energy investment, Shenzhou Group's 24% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions over two years, and Elevate Textiles' 35% cut since 2019.
Aii President Lewis Perkins emphasized the urgent need for collective climate action:
'While we've built the foundation for climate progress, the data shows we must now accelerate, share risks, and deepen investment.'
To support industry-wide efforts, Aii is expanding key initiatives including:
Clean by Design: Helping manufacturers cut emissions via energy efficiency
Fashion Climate Fund: A $250M initiative to finance supply chain decarbonization
Climate Solutions Portfolio: A curated list of impactful emissions-reduction programs
With 2030 approaching fast, the report outlines urgent next steps: scaling sustainable materials, improving energy efficiency, transitioning to 100% renewables, and eliminating coal from production processes.
