Fashion sustainability: an oxymoron?
The fashion sector significantly impacts the environment, accounting for 10% of worldwide carbon emissions, and was identified as the third-largest polluter by the World Economic Forum in 2021. By 2030, clothing consumption is expected to increase from 62 million to 102 million tons per year. The inaugural 'sustainable fashion' summit took place in Copenhagen in 2009. In 2018, the UNFCCC introduced the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. Emmanuel Macron and François-Henri Pinault launched the Fashion Pact in 2019, while LVMH hosted its Climate Week in 2020. COP26 in 2021 emphasized the necessity to cut emissions by 2030. Golden Goose, which Permira purchased for €1.3 billion in 2020, provides artisanal sneaker repairs in Milan, utilizing low-water materials.
Key facts
- Fashion industry responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions (UN)
- World Economic Forum (2021) ranked fashion third-largest polluter
- Global clothing consumption to rise from 62M to 102M tons/year by 2030
- First sustainable fashion summit in Copenhagen in 2009
- UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action launched in 2018
- Fashion Pact created by Emmanuel Macron and François-Henri Pinault (Kering) in 2019
- LVMH Climate Week held in 2020
- EU plans third-party verification of green claims
- Golden Goose acquired by Permira in 2020 for €1.3 billion
- Golden Goose produces over 1 million pairs/year using hand-stitching
- Yatay Model 1B uses low-water plant-based materials from Coronet
- Golden Goose Milan boutique offers repairs from €70 and recycling via R-Cycled
Entities
Institutions
- United Nations
- World Economic Forum
- UNFCCC
- Danish Fashion Institute
- Kering
- LVMH
- European Union
- Golden Goose
- Permira
- Coronet
- R-Cycled
Locations
- New York
- London
- Milan
- Paris
- Copenhagen
- Glasgow
- Veneto
- Italy
- Brera
- via Cusani