01-05-2025
Sustainability Leaders Confront Fashion Industry On Carbon And Waste
As we leave Earth Month 2025, and with prospects for any positive legislation or government environmental action at the national level in the U.S. stymied in the short-term, sustainability leaders are turning their attention to state legislatures, foundations, and the nonprofit sector to help achieve their goals.
One of the largest polluting industries, which remains largely unregulated, is the apparel and footwear – or fashion -- industry. But that lack of regulation may change if environmental leaders in California, New York and other states are able to get a version of the Fashion Act passed in state legislatures.
As introduced in New York, the Fashion Act would mandate that any apparel or footwear company doing business in New York that has global revenue of $100 million or more be required to map their supply chains down to their raw material providers. Once these supply chains are mapped, companies would be required to reduce the negative environmental impact of these providers by setting and achieving climate reductions in line with the Paris Agreement, work with suppliers to effectively manage their chemical use, and take steps to improve the lives of garment workers in the industry.
The environmental impact statistics are staggering.
While environmental leaders remain cautiously optimistic of some legislative help at the state level in the United States, and many countries in Europe have initiated efforts to rein in the industry, there are no real global standards or regulations, and little attention to this crisis has historically been shown by many companies or foundations.
One notable exception is the H&M Foundation, which is committed to supporting the textile industry's journey to halve greenhouse gas emissions every decade by 2050, while promoting a just transition both people and the planet. Funded by the Persson family, the H&M Foundation recognizes change makers, leaders, and innovators who are working to transform the industry. Since 2015, its Global Change Award has backed 56 trailblazing teams, helping to move innovative ideas toward real world solutions.
Another is the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (UK and US), which is committed to furthering a circular economy designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature. Through evidence-based research, the Foundation seeks to contribute to solving global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss, and through its support of organizations and individuals, it creates learning opportunities through circular economy courses and resources for teachers and academics.
The nonprofit Apparel Impact Institute leverages data to identify solutions that stand to make a meaningful carbon reduction in textile production, and it uses this portfolio of solutions to help suppliers create customized decarbonization plans, implement programs, and secure financing for improvements. Its Fashion Climate Fund is aimed at empowering suppliers with subsidies to jumpstart carbon technology assessments and efficiency programs, and to assist in the development of industry leaders engaged in cutting-edge research, comprehensive reports and the convening of key stakeholders.
While tackling a huge global industry that employs over 430 million people and is valued at over $1.84 trillion is a monumental challenge, sustainability leaders are hoping to slow down the 'fast fashion' trend by both requiring companies to reduce their carbon emissions and use of water and encouraging consumers to purchase less and recycle their clothes rather than discarding them. The future of the planet may require no less.
