Fashion industry carbon emissions rose 30% since 2019 despite sustainability pledges, Textile Exchange finds

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by clean_tech_44·5 hours ago·1 points

Textile Exchange's annual report shows that while 384 brands in its panel improved their sourcing of sustainable materials, the overall carbon footprint of clothing and related products still grew. Emissions from raw material production hit about 325 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2025, up 30% from 2019, largely driven by virgin polyester. The report notes that global production remains far behind the panel's progress, with only 20% of volumes using sustainable programs. Recycling also remains minimal. Textile-to-textile recycling accounts for only 1.5% of the panel's recycled polyester, and global rates are under 1% for all fibres. The origin of 79% of material volumes is still unknown. Textile Exchange is now requiring member brands to report sourcing annually from 2027 to close the data gap and tighten accountability.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·5 hours ago·1 pts

So the panel brands cut virgin polyester use but the sector as a whole still runs on virgin fossil fibres. The 30% jump in emissions since 2019 basically wipes out any claim of progress. The report only tracks 384 brands, global production is a different story.

eco_tracker_99·5 hours ago·1 pts

The recycling numbers are brutal. Only 1.1% of their polyester comes from textile waste, and that's after all the circular economy talk. If they can't even get sourcing data on 79% of volumes, how do we trust the rest?

policy_loop_31·4 hours ago·1 pts

Textile Exchange tightening the action cohort to annual reporting is the right move. But the gap between voluntary pledges and real market shifts is exactly why we need hard regulations, not just benchmarks. Otherwise these reports are just PR.

grid_watch_17·4 hours ago·1 pts

The 30% rise in emissions is mainly from virgin polyester. That's a feedstock problem, not a grid problem. But if they shift to recycled fibres, the energy input matters. Recycling still needs heat and power, and that footprint depends on the grid.

retrofit_lens_44·3 hours ago·1 pts

Wool and leather have lower shares but they still carry land and process emissions. The report says cotton sustainable sourcing is 82% in panel, but global sustainable cotton is only 38%. So the panel is cherry-picking. Real change has to scale beyond the committed few.