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A new assessment of 100 top fashion brands reveals limited momentum in sustainable cotton adoption, widespread failures in transparency, and rising dependence on fossil-derived fibres. The Cotton Rankings 2025, developed by Solidaridad and Good on You, expose stark contrasts between industry rhetoric and practice, highlighting how sourcing decisions shape cotton’s uncertain role in fashion..

A new Austrian study examines textile reverse logistics and identifies operational weaknesses across collection, transport, sorting, interim storage and resale. Researchers warn these inefficiencies demand accelerated investment, coordination, and process improvements from commercial firms and socio-economic enterprises to handle rising volumes sustainably.

The apparel sector’s carbon footprint grew sharply in 2023, underscoring the gap between climate commitments and actual performance. The rise in emissions was driven primarily by polyester usage, particularly virgin fibres. Despite growing investment in greener practices, the sector remains far off course for its 2030 goals, according to a new report from Apparel Impact Institute.

Indonesia's largest textile manufacturer Sritex has collapsed into bankruptcy, leaving over 10,000 workers jobless whilst Central Java communities celebrate a landmark pollution victory against the fast fashion giant's environmental crimes.

For every fashion brand aligned with Paris Agreement benchmarks, nearly six are increasing their pollution, says a new analysis by environmental advocacy group Stand.earth, whose 2025 Fossil Free Fashion Scorecard assesses the top apparel and footwear brands on several climate indicators.

A new study finds that 75% of an apparel product's environmental footprint stems from areas of impact beyond carbon emissions, and reveals raw material choices and specific manufacturing processes - not packaging, distribution, or even assembly - contribute up to 90% of product impact.

As fast fashion and necessarily overproduction and overconsumption of clothes continues, fashion brands are going all out to woo the mindful consumer (read, women mostly), increasingly employing “woke” marketing tactics that illustrate a political and social awareness around race, LGBTQ+, feminism and the environment.

For all the sound and fury on climate change and climate change continuing to wreak havoc in all parts of the globe, as many as 32 of the 250 brands rated 0% in terms of their emissions accountability, says a Fashion Revolution report.

Generative AI could become a game-changer for the fashion industry, adding between US$150 and US$250 billion to operating profits within three to five years. While the fashion sector has only started integrating AI, the opportunities and challenges it presents are evident across all business processes.