Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing humanity.

Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial production, release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, causing global temperatures to rise and disrupting the Earth’s climate system.

The consequences include more frequent and intense heatwaves, changing rainfall patterns, droughts, floods, melting glaciers and rising sea levels. These changes threaten ecosystems, biodiversity, food and water security, human health and livelihoods around the world

The fashion and textile industry contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout its global supply chain.

The production of raw materials, particularly synthetic fibres derived from fossil fuels, requires energy and natural resources. Manufacturing processes such as spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing fabrics are also energy-intensive and often rely on fossil fuels.

Additional emissions are generated through the transportation of materials and finished products across international supply chains, as well as during the use and disposal of clothing.

The growing demand for new garments, increasing production volumes and resource-intensive business models further add to the industry’s climate footprint.

UP TO 8%

of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to the textile sector, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (2025).

159 MILLION TONNES

of greenhouse gas emissions were generated across the supply chains of clothing, footwear and household textiles consumed by EU households in 2022.
Equivalent to 355 kg of CO₂e per person.

Climate change threatens both the natural resources on which the fashion industry depends and the people involved in its global supply chains.

Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather events can affect agricultural production, threatening the supply of natural fibres such as cotton and wool.

At the same time, textile manufacturing is concentrated in regions increasingly exposed to extreme heat, floods and other climate-related risks. These conditions threaten workers’ health, livelihoods and the stability of global supply chains.

The fashion industry is therefore both a contributor to climate change and a sector increasingly vulnerable to its consequences.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires fundamental changes in the way materials are sourced, products are manufactured and fashion businesses operate.

Freshwater is one of our most valuable natural resources, essential for human survival, healthy ecosystems and economic development.

However, freshwater resources are under increasing pressure from population growth, agriculture, industrial production, pollution and climate change.

Water scarcity occurs when the available freshwater resources are insufficient to meet the needs of people and ecosystems. It is particularly severe in regions where water demand exceeds renewable supplies or where access to clean water is limited.

As droughts become more frequent and water demand continues to grow, protecting freshwater resources and ensuring their sustainable use have become global priorities.

The fashion and textile industry relies heavily on freshwater throughout its supply chain.

One of the largest sources of water consumption is the cultivation of natural fibres, particularly cotton, which often requires extensive irrigation. Water is also used in textile manufacturing processes such as washing, bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing fabrics.

These activities can place considerable pressure on local water resources, especially when production takes place in regions already experiencing water stress.

Beyond consumption, textile manufacturing can contribute to water pollution when industrial wastewater containing dyes, chemicals and other substances is inadequately treated before being discharged into the environment.

The global nature of fashion supply chains means that the environmental costs of clothing consumption are often borne by communities far from the markets where garments are sold.

86 MILLION OLYMPIC-SIZED SWIMMING POOLS

of natural water resources are used by the global textile sector every year.

Source: UNEP, Transforming the Textile Industry: Accelerating Action on Resource Use, October 2025.  

12 m³ PER PERSON

of blue water was required annually to produce the clothing, footwear and household textiles purchased by the average EU consumer in 2022.

Approximately 85% of this water consumption took place outside Europe, mainly in Asia.

Excessive water consumption and pollution threaten freshwater ecosystems, agricultural production and the availability of clean water for local communities.

In regions already facing water stress, competition for limited water resources can affect people’s access to drinking water, food production and livelihoods.

The fashion industry is also vulnerable to these pressures. Cotton cultivation depends on water availability, while textile manufacturing requires reliable freshwater supplies. Water scarcity can therefore disrupt production, increase costs and threaten the stability of global supply chains.

The industry’s impact on water resources is not limited to the places where clothing is consumed. It extends across borders, connecting global fashion markets with the environmental conditions and communities in producing regions.

Chemical pollution is one of the major environmental and public health challenges of our time.

Thousands of chemicals are used in agriculture, manufacturing and everyday products. While many are essential for modern life, some can be hazardous to human health and the environment.

When released into the environment, harmful substances can contaminate water, soil and air, accumulate in living organisms and disrupt natural ecosystems.

Persistent chemicals are particularly concerning because they can remain in the environment for decades, travel over long distances and continue to affect wildlife and human populations long after their release.

The fashion and textile industry uses a wide range of chemicals throughout its supply chain, from growing raw materials to manufacturing, dyeing, finishing and treating fabrics.

Cotton cultivation relies on pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, while textile manufacturing involves dyes, bleaching agents, solvents, detergents and finishing treatments. Some substances used to provide specific properties, such as water and stain resistance, can be hazardous or highly persistent in the environment.

Industrial wastewater containing chemical residues can pollute rivers and other water sources when it is inadequately treated.

Synthetic textiles also contribute to pollution through the release of microplastic fibres during production, wearing and washing. These tiny particles can enter aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, where they may persist and accumulate.

15,000+ CHEMICALS

can be used in fashion and textile manufacturing, including dyes, detergents, flame retardants, stain repellents and softeners.

Source: UNEP, 2025.

200,000–500,000 TONNES

of microplastic fibres from textiles are estimated to enter the global marine environment every year.

Source: European Environment Agency, Microplastics from textiles, 2022.

Chemical pollution affects both natural ecosystems and human health.

Hazardous substances released into rivers, soil and air can damage ecosystems, threaten aquatic life and contaminate food and water resources. Some chemicals are associated with serious health risks, including reproductive, developmental and hormonal effects.

Workers in textile manufacturing and communities living near production facilities can face increased exposure to hazardous substances, particularly where chemical management and wastewater treatment systems are inadequate.

Microplastic pollution creates an additional environmental challenge. Synthetic fibres released from textiles can spread through water, air and soil, making textile pollution difficult to contain and reverse.

Land is a finite natural resource that provides essential habitats for wildlife, supports biodiversity and maintains the ecological balance of our planet.

However, growing demand for agricultural land, raw materials, food and industrial production is putting increasing pressure on natural ecosystems.

The expansion of agricultural areas, deforestation, intensive farming and unsustainable land management contribute to habitat destruction, soil degradation and biodiversity loss.

As natural habitats become fragmented or disappear, plant and animal species lose the conditions they need to survive, threatening the stability and resilience of ecosystems worldwide.

The fashion industry depends on natural resources and land throughout its supply chain, particularly in the production of raw materials.

Cotton cultivation requires extensive agricultural land, while the production of animal-based fibres such as wool and cashmere can contribute to land degradation and overgrazing when livestock populations exceed the capacity of local ecosystems.

Leather production is also associated with livestock farming, which can contribute to deforestation and habitat loss in regions where land is cleared for cattle grazing.

Intensive agricultural practices, monoculture farming and the expansion of fibre production can place additional pressure on soil health, natural habitats and biodiversity.

As global demand for textiles continues to grow, the increasing need for raw materials raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of land use across the fashion supply chain.

144,000 KM²

of land were required to produce the clothing, footwear and household textiles consumed by EU households in 2022.

Equivalent to approximately 323 m² per person.

Source: European Environment Agency, 2025.

MORE THAN 80%

of the land-use impact associated with EU textile consumption occurs outside Europe.

A significant share is linked to fibre production, including cotton cultivation in countries such as China and India.

Source: European Environment Agency, 2025.

Unsustainable land use threatens biodiversity, soil fertility and the natural ecosystems on which both people and industries depend.

Deforestation and habitat destruction reduce the space available for wildlife, accelerate species decline and disrupt essential ecological processes.

Soil degradation can also reduce agricultural productivity, weaken ecosystem resilience and increase vulnerability to droughts and climate change.

The fashion industry depends on healthy ecosystems for the production of natural fibres and other raw materials. Their degradation therefore threatens not only biodiversity but also the long-term availability of resources and the stability of global supply chains.

Natural resources are essential for human life and economic development. However, many of the materials we depend on are finite, while others require considerable time and favourable conditions to regenerate.

The extraction and consumption of raw materials, including fossil fuels, minerals, metals and agricultural resources, place increasing pressure on the planet.

Growing demand, intensive production and linear consumption patterns contribute to resource depletion, environmental degradation and the accumulation of waste.

Moving towards more efficient resource use and circular economic models is essential to reduce our dependence on virgin raw materials and ensure their availability for future generations.

The fashion industry relies on vast quantities of natural resources, including fossil fuels, agricultural raw materials, minerals and water.

Synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon and acrylic are primarily produced from fossil fuels, making the textile industry heavily dependent on non-renewable resources.

Natural fibres also require substantial inputs. Their production depends on agricultural land, water, energy and other resources, while the processing and manufacturing of textiles require additional raw materials and energy.

The industry's predominantly linear business model — based on extracting resources, producing garments, consuming them and eventually discarding them — further increases demand for virgin materials.

Although recycling and alternative materials offer opportunities to reduce resource consumption, textile-to-textile recycling remains extremely limited, and most new fibres are still produced from virgin resources.

234 MILLION TONNES

of primary raw materials were used to produce clothing, footwear and household textiles consumed by EU households in 2022.

Equivalent to 523 kg per person.

Source: European Environment Agency, 2025.

69% OF GLOBAL FIBRE PRODUCTION

came from synthetic fibres in 2024.

Polyester alone accounted for approximately 59% of all fibres produced worldwide, with around 77.7 million tonnes.

Source: Textile Exchange, Materials Market Report 2025.

The continuous extraction of virgin raw materials contributes to environmental degradation, resource scarcity and growing pressure on natural ecosystems.

Dependence on non-renewable resources also exposes the fashion industry to fluctuating prices, supply disruptions and the long-term risks associated with fossil fuel dependence.

At the same time, the growing volume of textile production increases demand for raw materials, while limited recycling capacity means that valuable resources are frequently lost after products reach the end of their useful life.

Without a shift towards more efficient and circular production and consumption patterns, the industry will continue to rely on increasing volumes of newly extracted resources.

The global economy is still largely based on a linear model of production and consumption: take, make, use and dispose.

In the fashion industry, this model is reflected in constantly growing production volumes, short product lifecycles and an increasing amount of clothing being discarded.

Fast fashion and the rise of ultra-fast fashion have made clothing more accessible and affordable, but have also encouraged frequent purchases, short-lived trends and a culture of disposability.

As a result, enormous quantities of textiles are produced, consumed and discarded every year, creating environmental pressures and waste that existing collection, reuse and recycling systems struggle to manage.

The fashion industry's current business model encourages continuous growth in production and sales, often relying on rapidly changing collections, low prices and constant newness.

Fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion have accelerated this cycle, making it easier and cheaper to purchase new garments while reducing the perceived value and lifespan of clothing.

Large volumes of unsold stock, product returns and discarded garments add to the industry's waste footprint. Some products are destroyed before they are ever used, while others are exported to countries where local systems may lack the capacity to reuse or manage them responsibly.

Although second-hand markets, clothing repair and textile recycling offer alternatives, they cannot fully compensate for the environmental impact of continuously producing more clothing.

The growing gap between textile production and the capacity to reuse, recycle and manage discarded products remains one of the industry's major sustainability challenges.

92 MILLION TONNES

of textile waste are generated globally every year.

Equivalent to approximately one truckload of clothing being landfilled or incinerated every second.

Source: UNEP, 2025.

19 KG PER PERSON

of clothing, footwear and household textiles were consumed by the average EU citizen in 2022.

This increased from 17 kg in 2019.

Source: European Environment Agency, 2025.

LESS THAN 1%

of the global fibre market came from recycled textiles in 2024.

Most recycled polyester was made from plastic bottles rather than discarded clothing.

Source: Textile Exchange, Materials Market Report 2025.

Overproduction and overconsumption create environmental and social consequences that extend far beyond the fashion industry itself.

Every new garment requires raw materials, water, energy and human labour. When clothing is used for only a short time, the resources invested in its production are wasted much sooner than necessary.

Discarded textiles contribute to growing waste volumes, while large-scale exports of used clothing can transfer the burden of waste management to countries with limited infrastructure.

The constant pressure to produce more and sell at lower prices can also reinforce unsustainable business practices and poor working conditions throughout global supply chains.

Ultimately, a system built around ever-increasing production and consumption is incompatible with the responsible use of finite resources.

Human rights are universal rights and freedoms that belong to every person, regardless of where they live or work.

Yet millions of people around the world continue to face exploitation, discrimination and unsafe working conditions. In many industries, workers experience low wages, excessive working hours, insecure employment and limited opportunities to protect their rights.

These challenges are particularly complex in global supply chains, where production is often spread across multiple countries and subcontractors. Limited transparency, weak labour protections and unequal power relations can make it difficult to identify and address abuses.

The right to fair pay, safe working conditions, freedom of association and protection from forced and child labour are essential elements of decent work.

The fashion industry depends on the labour of millions of people across its global supply chain — from agricultural workers and textile producers to garment workers and those involved in transportation and retail.

A significant share of clothing production takes place in countries where wages are low and labour protections may be weak or poorly enforced. Workers can face excessive overtime, unsafe factories, inadequate wages and restrictions on their ability to organise and negotiate collectively.

Women make up a large proportion of the garment workforce and are often concentrated in the lowest-paid and least secure positions. They may also face gender-based discrimination, harassment and limited opportunities for career advancement.

The pressure to produce large volumes of clothing at low prices and increasingly short deadlines can intensify these problems. When brands prioritise low costs and rapid production, suppliers and workers may bear much of the pressure.

These risks are not limited to garment factories. They can also occur further upstream, including in cotton cultivation, raw material extraction and textile processing, where workers may be exposed to hazardous conditions and inadequate labour protections.

OVER 90 MILLION WORKERS

are employed in the global textiles and clothing industries, with women making up a large proportion of the workforce. (ILO, 2025)

NEARLY 60%

of garment workers worldwide are women. In some regions, their share reaches almost 80%. (ILO, 2023)

Poor working conditions and violations of labour rights have direct consequences for people’s health, safety, dignity and economic security.

Low wages can prevent workers and their families from meeting basic needs, while excessive working hours and unsafe workplaces increase the risk of illness, injury and long-term health problems.

Gender discrimination and unequal opportunities can reinforce cycles of poverty and limit women’s economic independence. Forced and child labour represent some of the most severe violations of fundamental human rights.

These issues also affect the fashion industry itself. Exploitative labour practices undermine trust, create instability in supply chains and make it impossible to consider a product truly sustainable.

Well-being is about more than physical health. It also includes mental and emotional health, self-esteem, social inclusion, equality and the ability to live a fulfilling life.

The industries that shape our everyday lives influence not only what we consume, but also how we see ourselves, relate to others and understand our place in society.

Fashion is a powerful form of cultural expression. It can celebrate individuality, creativity and diversity, but it can also reinforce social inequalities, unrealistic expectations and narrow ideas of beauty and success.

As a global cultural and economic force, fashion has a responsibility to consider not only the products it creates, but also the values, aspirations and social norms it promotes.

Fashion has a significant influence on how people perceive their bodies, appearance and identity.

Advertising, social media and fashion imagery often promote idealised standards of beauty that can be difficult or impossible to achieve. Limited representation of different body types, ages, abilities and identities can reinforce exclusion and affect people's self-esteem and body image.

The constant promotion of new trends and products can also encourage social comparison, materialism and the idea that personal happiness or social acceptance depends on buying more and looking a certain way.

At the same time, the fashion industry has the potential to create positive social change. Through inclusive representation, responsible communication and respect for cultural diversity, fashion can challenge stereotypes and give visibility to underrepresented communities.

The industry also has an important relationship with local cultures and traditional craftsmanship. When cultural knowledge and creative traditions are respected and fairly valued, fashion can support communities, preserve heritage and create meaningful economic opportunities. When they are exploited without recognition or fair compensation, the opposite can happen.

793,199 RECORDS

a 2026 study analysed 25 years of fashion advertising, magazine covers, runway shows and editorials. Despite greater diversity in representation, the prevailing model body ideal remained largely unchanged. (PNAS, 2026)

A GLOBAL INFLUENCE

the UN Environment Programme and UN Climate Change identify fashion communication as an important driver of cultural and behavioural change. Their Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook calls on the industry to move away from messages that encourage overconsumption and promote more responsible aspirations. (UNEP & UNFCCC, 2023)

Why it matters

The influence of fashion extends far beyond the clothes we wear.

Unrealistic beauty standards and exclusionary representations can contribute to body dissatisfaction and undermine self-confidence. The constant pressure to follow trends and maintain a particular appearance can also affect people's sense of identity and belonging.

At a wider level, fashion shapes cultural narratives and social values. The way brands represent people, communicate with consumers and engage with local communities can either reinforce existing inequalities or help create a more inclusive society.

Respect for cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship is equally important. The knowledge, skills and creative traditions of local communities deserve recognition, protection and fair economic value.

Ultimately, a fashion industry that overlooks human well-being cannot be considered truly sustainable.

A more inclusive and responsible fashion industry

A more sustainable fashion industry should celebrate individuality rather than impose narrow standards, promote diversity rather than exclusion, and encourage self-expression rather than constant consumption.

It should also respect cultural identities, support local communities and recognise the social value of traditional craftsmanship.

Fashion has the power to influence not only what we wear, but also how we see ourselves and the world around us. This influence should be used to create a more inclusive, respectful and positive society.