The fashion industry, while a creative and economic powerhouse, often finds itself at the heart of sustainability debates. With fast fashion producing at breakneck speeds, and the rise of consumer culture pushing insatiable demand, the environmental and social impact of fashion has become impossible to ignore. A central framework that offers hope for addressing these concerns is the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Launched in 2015, the SDGs are a universal call to action aimed at tackling pressing global challenges by 2030.
Out of the 17 SDGs, 11 are directly impacted by the fashion industry. In this article, I’ll examine each goal and explore how the fashion industry currently exacerbates these issues. Importantly, I'll also consider potential solutions to bring about positive change. As we delve into the heart of these global issues, it becomes clear that the fashion industry can no longer remain passive but must actively participate in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.
No Poverty (SDG 1)
Current Impact: The fashion industry relies heavily on a vast global workforce, with many garment workers—especially in developing countries—living in poverty. Workers in countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Vietnam often earn less than a living wage. For example, the average monthly wage for a garment worker in Bangladesh is approximately £75, far below the living wage required to support a family.
Low wages and poor working conditions keep garment workers trapped in poverty cycles. The industry’s drive for ever-lower costs forces factories to cut corners, leading to exploitative practices such as long working hours, child labour, and unsafe working conditions, as seen in the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, where over 1,100 workers died due to poor building safety.
Path to Improvement: To address poverty in the fashion supply chain, brands must commit to paying living wages and supporting fair trade practices. Initiatives such as the Fair Wear Foundation or the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) provide frameworks for improving workers' rights. Further, governments in producing countries can implement stricter labour laws, and international buyers must be held accountable for ensuring these standards are met.
Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
Current Impact: While the connection between fashion and hunger may seem indirect, it is significant. The cotton industry, for instance, competes with food production for land and water resources. Cotton cultivation, which accounts for approximately 2.5% of the world’s arable land, is highly water-intensive and often displaces food crops in developing regions.
Additionally, low wages in the garment industry often leave workers unable to afford sufficient and nutritious food. Malnutrition among workers can lead to poor health, perpetuating cycles of poverty and hunger.
Path to Improvement: Switching to organic and regenerative agriculture can reduce competition between food and cotton production. Organic cotton uses less water and fewer harmful chemicals, which can improve soil health and enable farmers to grow food alongside cotton. Moreover, advocating for fair wages and better working conditions in garment factories will ensure workers can afford adequate nutrition.
Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
Current Impact: The fashion industry has a devastating impact on both the environment and human health. Textile dyeing is one of the world’s most polluting industrial processes, responsible for 20% of global wastewater. Toxic chemicals used in dyes, such as azo dyes, often make their way into water systems, poisoning local communities and ecosystems. In regions such as Xintang, China—known as the "Jeans Capital of the World"—factories release untreated wastewater into rivers, causing widespread health issues among local populations.
Additionally, the physical and mental health of garment workers is jeopardised by long working hours, unsafe conditions, and exploitative practices. On the consumer side, the fashion industry promotes unrealistic beauty standards, contributing to mental health issues such as body dysmorphia and low self-esteem.
Path to Improvement: The adoption of non-toxic dyes, wastewater treatment systems, and circular production processes can significantly reduce the health hazards associated with textile production. Brands should also invest in the well-being of their workers by ensuring safe working conditions and reasonable hours. On the consumer front, promoting body diversity and healthier representations of beauty in fashion media can foster better mental health outcomes.
Quality Education (SDG 4)
Current Impact: Many children in developing countries are denied access to education because they are working in the fashion industry. Child labour remains a persistent issue in cotton fields and textile factories, particularly in countries like India and Uzbekistan. According to UNICEF, an estimated 168 million children are involved in child labour, with a portion of them employed in the fashion supply chain.
Moreover, the fast fashion model encourages consumption over conscious decision-making, diverting attention from the importance of education about sustainability, ethics, and environmental responsibility.
Path to Improvement: The elimination of child labour in fashion supply chains is critical to ensuring all children receive a quality education. Brands can work with organisations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) to audit supply chains and ensure child labour is eradicated. Additionally, fostering a culture of conscious consumerism by educating consumers about the impact of their choices can create a more informed and responsible society.
Gender Equality (SDG 5)
Current Impact: The majority of garment workers worldwide are women—an estimated 80%. However, despite this overwhelming female workforce, women in the fashion industry face significant gender-based inequalities. They often earn less than their male counterparts, experience gender-based violence, and have limited opportunities for advancement. The lack of enforcement of labour laws in many garment-producing countries leaves women vulnerable to exploitation.
Path to Improvement: Gender equality in the fashion industry can be improved by empowering women through education, skills training, and leadership opportunities. Companies should ensure equal pay for equal work, implement zero-tolerance policies for sexual harassment, and support female entrepreneurship within the supply chain. Organisations like the Clean Clothes Campaign are advocating for better rights for women in the garment industry, offering a roadmap for improvement.
Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
Current Impact: Water pollution from textile dyeing and finishing processes is a major issue in fashion production. Factories in countries like China, India, and Bangladesh discharge millions of gallons of untreated or poorly treated wastewater into rivers and lakes, contaminating water sources for local communities. According to the World Bank, textile dyeing contributes to 17-20% of industrial water pollution.
Cotton cultivation is another major consumer of freshwater, with an estimated 10,000 litres of water needed to produce a single kilogram of cotton—enough to make just one pair of jeans. This exacerbates water scarcity in regions already facing droughts and limited access to clean drinking water.
Path to Improvement: Adopting water-efficient processes, such as closed-loop systems in textile dyeing, can significantly reduce water consumption and pollution. Brands should also invest in organic cotton and other sustainable fibres that use less water. Governments and NGOs can work together to enforce stricter wastewater treatment regulations, ensuring clean water access for all communities.
Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
Current Impact: The fashion industry is energy-intensive, particularly in its manufacturing processes. Textile production, transportation, and retail operations rely heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions. The apparel industry is responsible for approximately 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Much of the energy used in garment factories in developing countries comes from coal-fired power plants, further exacerbating climate change and air pollution.
Path to Improvement: The fashion industry must transition to renewable energy sources throughout its supply chain. Investing in solar, wind, and other clean energy technologies for manufacturing facilities can reduce the industry's carbon footprint. Brands can also prioritise localised production to reduce the emissions associated with global transportation.
Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
Current Impact: While the fashion industry provides employment for millions, many of these jobs do not meet the standards of decent work. Low wages, unsafe conditions, and a lack of job security are rampant in garment factories, particularly in countries with lax labour regulations. The industry's reliance on subcontracting further complicates accountability, as brands often have little oversight over working conditions in factories several tiers down the supply chain.
Furthermore, the rise of fast fashion has led to job insecurity in traditional retail sectors, where workers face short-term contracts, low wages, and minimal benefits.
Path to Improvement: To promote decent work, fashion brands must ensure living wages, safe working conditions, and the right to unionise across their supply chains. Certifications such as Fair Trade or SA8000 can help brands demonstrate their commitment to ethical labour practices. Additionally, fashion businesses can invest in job creation and upskilling programmes, particularly in developing regions, to foster long-term economic growth.
Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
Current Impact: The fashion industry's globalised supply chain often exacerbates inequalities between wealthy consumer nations and low-income producer countries. Workers in developing countries receive a fraction of the final retail price for the garments they produce, while profits are concentrated in multinational brands headquartered in the Global North.
This inequality extends to issues of race and representation. People of colour in fashion, both within supply chains and in consumer-facing roles (such as models and designers), are often underpaid, underrepresented, and subjected to discriminatory practices.
Path to Improvement: To reduce inequalities, the fashion industry must promote fair trade and equitable profit-sharing along the supply chain. Brands should also invest in diversity and inclusion initiatives, ensuring that all workers and consumers are represented and treated fairly. Elevating voices from underrepresented communities, both within the supply chain and in fashion media, can help address systemic imbalances.
Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Current Impact: The fast fashion model is inherently at odds with responsible consumption and production. The rapid production of inexpensive clothing encourages a throwaway culture, where garments are discarded after only a few wears. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that the equivalent of one rubbish truck full of textiles is landfilled or incinerated every second globally. This creates massive amounts of waste and places immense pressure on natural resources.
Moreover, the production of synthetic fibres like polyester contributes to microplastic pollution in oceans, as these fibres shed during washing and do not biodegrade.
Path to Improvement: A shift towards circular fashion—where products are designed to be reused, recycled, or biodegradable—is crucial for achieving responsible consumption and production. Brands should prioritise sustainable materials, reduce overproduction, and encourage consumers to buy less but higher-quality clothing. Fashion rental services, resale platforms, and upcycling initiatives offer promising alternatives to the fast fashion model.
Climate Action (SDG 13)
Current Impact: The fashion industry’s carbon footprint is significant, with an estimated 2.1 billion tonnes of CO2 emitted annually. Fast fashion’s reliance on resource-intensive production, frequent global transportation, and the disposal of unsold goods all contribute to this high level of emissions.
The industry also exacerbates climate vulnerability in producing regions. Many garment-producing countries are already susceptible to climate change impacts such as floods, droughts, and rising temperatures, further endangering the livelihoods of millions.
Path to Improvement: To combat climate change, the fashion industry must drastically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. This can be achieved by adopting energy-efficient technologies, transitioning to renewable energy, and implementing sustainable practices at every stage of the supply chain. Additionally, fashion brands should invest in carbon offsetting initiatives and support local communities in building climate resilience.
The fashion industry’s impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is far-reaching, affecting everything from poverty and gender equality to environmental degradation and climate change. However, the path forward is clear: brands, governments, and consumers must work together to transform the industry into a force for good. By promoting fair labour practices, reducing environmental harm, and fostering responsible consumption, the fashion industry can play a pivotal role in achieving the SDGs and building a sustainable future for all.
The call to action is urgent, and the time for change is now. Through collaboration, innovation, and commitment, the fashion industry can weave a new narrative—one that aligns with the values of sustainability, equity, and global well-being.
댓글