The UN estimates that the fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of carbon emissions alone. Why is that? Because it takes energy to produce clothing and that energy is usually derived from fossil fuels. Humanity is now at code red with regards to the climate crisis and global fashion leaders need to take charge and find more sustainable practises.
Unfortunately, the Good on You initiative which rates different brands according to their sustainability and ethical practises, has found that a tiny 6% of the largest brands have a target for reducing carbon emissions. Ontop of this, the recent COP26 meeting has been seen as too little too late, with a lacklustre pledge to ‘phase down’ rather than ‘phase out’ the use of coal.
What can we as customers and public do? The first thing is to beware of ‘Greenwashing’, where the fashion industry uses misleading claims to appear more sustainable than they are - take the recent cases by Zara, Asos and others. Customers can easily avoid these brands and choose alternatives using the Good on You app which is a fast and effective way to purchase more sustainably.
Secondly, we can choose purchase pre-loved, either from online market places or at our local second hand/Op/thrift shops, which are always inundated with donated stock that they need to sell. Your money also goes to help their causes, and ensures less ends up in landfill.
Ultimately, customers need to put pressure on the multi-trillion dollar fashion industry to change its ways. Interestingly enough, it’s the smaller labels like Mooch Denim Upcycled that are leading the way towards sustainability, so taking the time to track down cool local brands and spreading the word about them would go a long way to helping!