December 2021, Issue
Contents Environmental issue Changes Future Reference
07910421, Hazel
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE OF
THE FASHION INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTE S BETWEEN 2-10% OF GLOBAL CARBON EMISSIONS
The fashion industry – from material sourcing, through supply chains to washing and waste – is estimated to be responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions. Clothing also requires considerable amounts of fresh water and is a major source of water pollution.
FASHION INDUSTRY
Cotton is the crop most heavily sprayed with chemicals in the world. Hazardous pesticides commonly used for cotton production are often found in nearby water resources. Around 85 percent of the population suffers from poor health as a result of unsafe drinking water.
IT TAKES 10,000 LITERS OF WATER TO PRODUCE ONE KILOGRAM OF COTTON
CHANGES IN FASHION INDUSTRY
With the rising consumer demands for sustainable practices, it's hard to ignore the environmental issue under the pressure. Fashion's flagship initiative, UNFCCC, has laid out new goal for its signatories, in order to prevent the worst effect of climate change. In this year, LVMH added its name to the list of participating companies to address the environmental issue, and released their first comprehensive social and environmental report. Involving the groups' carbon footprint across various sectors as well as its measurable contributions to curb hazardous waste, packaging, transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy consumption. It further charts its initiatives and ongoing social responsibilities to achieve greater gender equality, respecting individuality of its employees and promoting diversity across all levels of its businesses.
Nonprofit Textile Exchange launched a call backed, by requesting changes to trade policy that would encourage the use of preferred materials, like organic cotton or recycled fibres. Backers pushing for incentives like lower tariffs and import duties for such materials include Gucci-owner Kering, Gap Inc. and H&M Group.
When it comes to adopting better materials, price is the issue that comes up continuously, and most of the options involve farmers getting paid less, this way of reducing cost will less harm the farmers.
In my aspect, the balance between profits and environmental issue will be a dilemma for fashion brands since the reduction of carbon emissions also means the limitation of production, even though there are still other methods such as eliminating coal from manufacturing and accelerating material innovations, reducing consumption will be the most effective way to address the heavy pollution caused by the progress.
By far, there is a successful example between sustainability and luxury, which is a series from GUCCI, called Gucci Off The Grid. From the packaging to their products(accessories, ready-to-wear and travel pieces)are made of recycled, regenerated, organic, bio-based and sustainably sourced materials.
From my point of view, Gucci showed other luxury brands that abandoned materials could become high-quality products, which means the possibilities of more sustainable fashion industry could be expected under the competitive environment. I believe the whole supply chain will start to change from sourcing to producing to fit the fast changing consumer behaviors.
FUTURE OF FASHION INDUSTRY
Reference
https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/consumption/clothing/cotton-farming-waterconsumption/story?utm_source=canva&utm_medium=iframely
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211105-how-carbon-might-go-out-of-fashion? utm_source=canva&utm_medium=iframely
https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/sustainability/fashion-steps-up-climatecommitments/
https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/lvmh-releases-first-comprehensive-social-andenvironmental-report/2021051155407