The Environmental Impact of the Fashion Industry: A Call to Action

The fashion industry significantly impacts the environment, contributing to approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, equating to about 2.1 billion metric tons of CO₂ annually.

Distribution of Emissions:

• Upstream Activities (70%): This includes material production, preparation, and processing.

• Downstream Activities (30%): Encompassing retail operations, product use, and end-of-life disposal.

Brand-Specific Emissions:

In 2022, leading fashion brands reported the following carbon emissions:

• Nike: 18.2 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent.

• Inditex (Zara, Bershka): 17.7 million metric tons.

• Adidas and H&M: Each over 7.5 million metric tons.

Scope of Emissions:

• Scope 1 and 2: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources and indirect emissions from purchased energy.

• Scope 3: All other indirect emissions, including those from the supply chain.

For most fashion brands, Scope 3 emissions constitute the majority of their carbon footprint, often accounting for over 90% of total emissions.

Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion:

Fast fashion contributes to 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions and 20% of global wastewater.

Conclusion:

The fashion industry’s environmental impact is substantial, with a significant portion of emissions originating from supply chain activities. Efforts to mitigate this impact require comprehensive strategies addressing both production processes and consumer behaviors.

Fashion on climate

https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/fashion-on-climate?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Fast fashion: How clothes are linked to climate change

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60382624

These facts show how unsustainable the fashion industry is

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/01/fashion-industry-carbon-unsustainable-environment-pollution/