Climate

At a critical crossroad, the apparel and textiles industry in Bangladesh could lead global decarbonisation efforts while unlocking substantial economic and social benefits, including the creation of green jobs, says an Apparel Impact Institute (AII) report which also outlines proactive, actionable strategies to further decarbonisation efforts, foster collaboration, and enable meaningful progress for the industry.

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.

Wool, long regarded as a symbol of New Zealand’s pastoral heritage and a sustainable alternative in an increasingly eco-conscious world, is set to take centre stage again, as it gets knitted into a government directive mandating the use of Kiwi-grown and manufactured wool carpets in public sector buildings.

The Fashion Planet Benchmark Report reveals an alarming gap between industry action and environmental reality, with major brands scoring just 30% in the planet pillar of Good On You’s brand ratings. These charts highlight critical shortfalls in emissions tracking, supply chain transparency, and circular design—and clearly show where brands can demonstrate leadership.

The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) has published the findings of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study highlighting the environmental benefits of organic cotton farming in India, offering detailed, locally relevant data demonstrating organic cotton’s reduced environmental impact compared to conventional farming.

Consumer NGO Environmental Action Germany (DUH) has won a greenwashing lawsuit against apparel company Adidas on the grounds of misleading consumers with sustainability claims. The sporting goods manufacturer has been ordered to cease and desist from making the statement that it “will be climate neutral by 2050", and to reimburse pre-trial warning fees.

The just-released CottonConnect Impact Report 2024 analyses the outcomes of sustainable agricultural practices and urges the textiles industry to collectively work toward increasing responsible production of raw materials and supporting smallholder farmers to attain a resilient future.

Aimed to empower smallholder farmers, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) and International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) have launched a project to promote carbon credits in African cotton production.

An Apparel Impact Institute report calls upon apparel brands, textile manufacturers, policymakers, and financial institutions to take immediate action to accelerate decarbonisation even as it urges brands to commit to electrification targets and provide financial support to suppliers in building renewable electricity capacity and adoption, ensuring a more resilient and cost-effective supply chain.

Textile Exchange has released a new guidance, urging brands and retailers to go beyond greenhouse gas emissions and establish more holistic impact goals, unlocking the critical progress toward more sustainable raw material production that can come from this approach.