Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Industry Score
For our environmental impact metric we have partnered with Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) to estimate the most recent annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the garment sector's supply chain (Tier 1 - 4).
Based on the latest data available from Aii, Cascale, Textile Exchange and Worldly, the carbon footprint is estimated to be 0.944 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
This represents an increase of 7% compared to the previous year and the highest since we started measuring in 2019.
The reason for the rise in emissions and why we are off track with our greenhouse gas (GHG) metric is simple: increased production volume. This single factor overwhelmingly drives the rise in emissions this year, far more than any other variable.
Brands' decision to grow their production volumes has a trickle down effect. Higher production volumes lead to an increased need for fibers to create the products, which means that the emissions associated to every stage of the processing chain have also grown, from raw material production to final manufacturing.
The increase in production volumes is largely fueled by conventional manufacturing practices, particularly the continued reliance on fossil fuel-based fibres such as polyester.
Material manufacturing (Tier 2) remains the largest contributor to GHG emissions along the supply chain. This calls for an increased urgency for brands to increase their efforts to map Tier 2 supply chain partners and sub-contractors to concentrate their decarbonisation efforts.
This must be coupled with a broader conversation about production volumes. At present, our growth rate is outpacing our ability to decarbonize—unless this dynamic shifts, we will continue to fall short of our GHG reduction goals.
To stay within a 1.5°C trajectory needed to avoid a climate disaster, the sector needs to achieve a 45% reduction by 2030 (using 2019 as a baseline year) and carbon neutrality by 2050. The 7% increase in emissions illustrates that we are far from the progress needed to stay on track to limit global heating to an average of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Keep an eye out for this year’s Roadmap To Net Zero Report by Aii. In this report, additional analysis and context to the GHG estimate will be provided.
Projected GHG emissions for the garment sector 2019 - 2030
Our Approach
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today - its effects are already being felt, impacting ecosystems and livelihoods with weather and climate extremes in all of the world. Limiting the global average temperature increase by 1.5°C is imperative in avoiding a catastrophic scenario foreseen by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Transitioning to a greener and more resilient global economy requires drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, while simultaneously changing global consumption and production patterns.
The fashion industry – with its global scale, reliance on raw materials and having one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the world – has an critical role to play in limiting emissions to curb global heating. In order to keep temperatures within the 1.5°C increase, the industry needs to achieve an absolute reduction of 45% in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Methodology
Until 2025, The Industry We Want, in partnership with Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), will unveil on a yearly basis where the industry stands according to the most recent data available, presenting the total estimated emissions (carbon dioxide equivalent / CO2e) for the garment sector in gigatonnes. Aii will continue to present this data in its annual Taking Stock of Progress Against the Roadmap to Net Zero reports.
The GHG score is calculated using the most widely and representative data available - fibre volume data from Textile Exchange complemented by the GHG impact data from Cascale’s Higg Materials Sustainability Index and Worldly. Since industry data is collected and analysed annually, the data presented in this year’s 2024 GHG Metric is based on fibre volume data from 2022.
Measuring emissions in a regular and consistent way will allow us to check whether progress is being made and to hold the industry accountable for the climate targets needed to impede a disastrous scenario for the world. In the next few years, we will continue to push for collective action and collaboration and serve as a convener to keep the industry at pace to deliver on the climate goals.
Read Aii’s most recent report (2023) on GHG estimates for the garment sector.
Our Partners and Contributors
The Apparel Impact Institute identifies, funds and scales the apparel and footwear industry’s proven environmental impact solutions. Aii’s vision is a transformed industry that has a positive impact on people and the planet.
Wordly is a comprehensive impact intelligence platform that hosts, connects with, and supports leading industry solutions and methodologies, including the Higg Index.
Textile Exchange is a global non-profit guiding a growing community of brands, manufacturers, and farmers towards more purposeful production right from the start of the supply chain.
Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance catalyzing collective action toward equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry.
Questions?
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For the calculation of the TIWW GHG metric, Aii uses fibre weight data gathered by Textile’s Exchange’s Materials Market Report. For each fibre type, the allocated total fibre weight is multiplied by the GHG emissions factor for every process stage in the Higg Material Sustainability Index (MSI).
This approach is aligned with Aii’s Roadmap to Net Zero Report. For any questions on the methodology, please email us at info@theindustrywewant.org.
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Immediate action is vital to keep temperatures within planetary boundaries. TIWW encourages the apparel sector to start acting now to accelerate change towards a carbon-free future and to stay at pace to reach 45% absolute reductions by 2030.
The interventions, outlined by Aii and WRI’s Roadmap to Net Zero that will help the industry to meet the climate targets are:
Maximise Material Efficiency (Tiers 1 to 4) by reducing material waste through design, material selection and manufacturing methods.
Scale sustainable materials and processes (Tier 4), meaning utilising materials that are lower on GHG emissions on a per unit basis compared with conventional alternatives.
Increase investment and development of next-generation materials (Tier 4), such as plant-based leathers, textile recycling, bio-based materials.
Maximise Energy efficiency across the manufacturing facilities (Tiers 1-3).
Phase out coal in Mills and Manufacturing (Tiers 1-2) switching to lower carbon alternatives as source for thermal energy, for example, concentrated solar natural gas or biomass.
Deploy 100% renewable energy through Tiers 1 to 3 (manufacturing).
Adopt circular design principles and practices throughout the lifecycle of products.