The discussion around sustainable fashion has taken center stage in recent years, particularly in light of the Slow Environment Movement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). One of the key aspects of this conversation relates to the goal of Responsible Production and Consumption. This issue gained significant attention after the tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh on 24th April 2013, that housed several garment factories, killing over 1,100 people and injuring thousands more. This incident brought the international community’s focus towards the conditions of workers and the concept of sustainable fashion.
The Slow Fashion Movement
The Slow Fashion Movement is a comprehensive approach to clothing production that aims to evaluate all aspects of the supply chain. The focus is on respecting people, the environment, and animals. The movement also emphasizes a more thoughtful design process, aiming to produce high-quality garments.
Fast Fashion retailers have created immense consumption issues by promoting the idea that more is better. They often underpay their employees, exploit the environment, and produce low-quality garments. The Slow Fashion Movement aims to counteract that trend by creating mindful, well-curated collections based on quality and not quantity.
The Importance of Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion holds a significant place in the global marketplace. The textile and clothing industry contributes USD 2.4 trillion to global manufacturing and provides employment to 300 million people worldwide. However, it also contributes to 2-6% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and consumes around 215 billion litres of water per year. Sustainable fashion aims to address these environmental concerns while still maintaining economic benefits.
Global And National Initiatives For Sustainable Fashion
Numerous initiatives have been established globally to promote sustainable fashion. One such initiative is the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, designed to support coordination between UN bodies working in fashion. Another key effort is the Sustainability Pledge launched by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which encourages governments and stakeholders to improve the environmental and ethical credentials of the sector.
Nationally, India has launched Project SU.RE or ‘Sustainable Resolution’, a holistic effort aimed at gradually establishing critical sustainability goals for the Indian textile industry. Additionally, efforts are being made to promote the use of Khadi products and bamboo, particularly in the North East region where over 60% of India’s bamboo is grown.
Challenges To Sustainable Fashion
However, there are several challenges associated with sustainable fashion, including economic and financial barriers, human perceptions, resource constraints, weak legislation, issues in finding eco-friendly and ethical alternatives to standard manufacturing processes, lack of technological advantage, and increased manufacturing costs due to investment in environment-saving efforts and increases in labour wages.
The Way Forward
The future of sustainable fashion relies heavily on increasing environmental awareness worldwide. Public campaigns should be conducted against companies that do not adhere to environmental standards, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should be increased to encourage more sustainable practices. With collective efforts and firm commitment, sustainable fashion can become a reality, contributing to a clean, inclusive, and healthy environment.