According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the textile industry—which includes the fashion sector—produces 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, surpassing the emissions from international travel and maritime transportation put together.

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases responsible for the greenhouse effect, which causes the Earth to warm up by trapping heat in the atmosphere. The most prevalent greenhouse gases are fluorinated gases, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4). The buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the primary cause of global warming and climate change. There are seven major GHG gases caused by human activity, but the most relevant ones for most fashion companies are carbon dioxide and methane. This article will provide a breakdown of the GHG emissions in the fashion value chain.

GHG Emissions in the Fashion Industry 

The fashion sector is one of the most significant contributors to GHG emissions worldwide. The production method, materials used, and transportation are only a few of the many variables that affect how much GHG is produced in the fashion sector. Here is a broad breakdown of the fashion industry's GHG emissions: 

1. Raw material production: The main culprits at this stage are cotton and polyester, which are responsible for a sizeable amount of GHG emissions. 2.6% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the production of cotton alone. Creating synthetic fibers like polyester requires a lot of energy and produces greenhouse emissions.

2. Manufacturing: Energy, electricity, and fuel are all needed during the production of clothing, which increases the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) released into the atmosphere. The textile manufacturing process produces a lot of carbon dioxide, especially during the dyeing and finishing stages.

3. Transportation: Another substantial source of GHG emissions in the fashion sector is transportation. Large volumes of carbon dioxide are released during the transportation of raw materials, finished goods, and even customers to stores or e-commerce sites.

4. Use and disposal: GHG emissions are also influenced by how fashion products are used and discarded. For instance, washing and drying garments contributes 20–35% of a garment's carbon footprint, whereas disposing of clothing in landfills and burning it results in emissions.

According to Quantis a leading environmental sustainability consultancy, over 90% of the emissions for apparel come from four activities: dyeing and finishing, fabric preparation, yarn preparation, and fiber production. Below is the pie chart of the breakdown of the GHG emissions in the fashion value chain.

Conclusion

A recent analysis from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation raised concerns about the estimated USD 500 billion in value lost annually as a result of clothing that is "barely worn and rarely recycled," which might result in the industry making up a fourth of the global carbon budget by 2050.

Polyester and other synthetic fibers require a lot of energy to make, which results in significant GHG emissions. Additionally, the global transit of textile and apparel products adds to carbon emissions. Given that landfills are a substantial source of methane emissions, disposing of textile waste also adds to GHG emissions. Due to the frequent discarding of garments and accessories after just a few uses, the fashion industry is renowned for producing significant amounts of textile waste. The rise of fast fashion in the past years has only added to the issue.

Numerous initiatives, including eco-friendly materials use, circular economy models, and sustainable fashion practices, have been proposed to address the issue of GHG emissions in the fashion sector. Some businesses have also taken steps to lessen their carbon footprint, like investing in renewable energy sources and cutting back on the usage of synthetic fibers.

Consumers can also help to reduce GHG emissions by purchasing sustainable and eco-friendly clothes, supporting businesses that promote sustainability, and decreasing their own textile waste by recycling and repurposing clothing.

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