Sustainability in the Fashion Industry
United Nation calls for governments, public and private sector to take a critical look at their consumption and production patterns, urging to “Think Beyond, Live Within.” Fashion is a 2.5 trillion-dollar industry. If it were a country, it would have been one of the seventh largest economies in the world. It employs approximately 60 million people worldwide, particularly those in Asia that rely on garment manufacturing as a source of employment and income. It is a key economic sector. Therefore, UN underlines a need to improve the fashion industry’s environmental footprint, by establishing a circular system for sustainable textile chains. The power sector has remained as the major contributor to environmental pollution. However, the fashion industry is also one of the most polluting industries in the world. Preliminary research reveals that it is the fourth or fifth largest sector responsible for global greenhouse gas emissions. Every year it uses up so much water, equivalent to that which would support 5 million people. It releases tonnes of microplastics into our oceans and it’s a sector frequently linked to many human rights violations, such as child labour and forced labour.
A London based report reveals that consumers place sustainability as their fourth most important criteria when purchasing fashion (57%). In order of priority when it comes to shopping apparel: 84% of consumers placed ‘fit’ as their first priority, followed by price and style each at 59%. Comfort and quality at 52% respectively, were low in priority. The three main barriers preventing consumers from purchasing sustainable fashion according to the report were: lack of knowledge and visibility of sustainable clothing, the high price attached to sustainable fashion and ‘limited’ style. Businesses that address these will have a distinct advantage in the marketplace. “Sustainability is seen by customers as an add-on,” the authors write. “Your company can educate consumers on what sustainability can be and dispel prejudices against sustainable fashion. Open a dialogue with customers to understand their aspirations and commit to meeting their aspirations via sustainable initiatives.”
According to another new study, led by Professor Katrina Brown at the University of Exeter men and women value, access and use natural resources form the environment in distinct and different ways. While the range of benefits, in terms of food, clean water provision, soil fertility, and physical and mental health — are known to critically underpin the livelihoods worldwide, very few studies have explored how the benefits are distributed according to gender. The research also insists that, if the management of global ecosystem services will support internationally agreed UN Sustainable development Goals and so ensure ‘no-one is left behind’, it is vital for policymakers to place a greater emphasis on the different perspectives, knowledge, and interests held by men and women.
However, these are not new to India. Way back in the pre-independent age, our Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was very apt in voicing his concern about resource conservation in these words: “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed.” He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses. According to Mahatma Gandhi Ji the greedy and selfish utilization of resources has led to the socioeconomic and environmental problems of shortages and pollution. It is very important to overcome these problems, which may be attained through resource conservation at various levels.
Celebrities mostly impress general mass in fashion — be it clothes, shoes or any accessories including mobile phones, these days. Only messages from celebrities do not result in massive influence. In the social media age, it is of utmost importance that the celebrities walk their talks. On the same line, when the UN has been professing on sustainable issues, the major five must take lead to demonstrate sustainable practices. Influencing policy changed and imposing legal liabilities may not really bring desirable results. UN has emphasized for sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion broadly refers to the design, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of apparel with respect and consideration for the health and longevity of our natural environment, and the welfare of the animals and humans involved. It aims to limit the socio-environmental cost of fashion while maximizing its lifetime value and positive impact.
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