Environmental protection
The negative effects of the textile sector on the environment and climate are far-reaching due to the complexity of the supply chains and the energy-intensive production processes. In particular, the high consumption of resources and land, the high level of environmentally harmful emissions and the enormous quantities of textile waste characterize the considerable problems of the textile industry. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the production of textiles alone is responsible for around 10% of global CO2 emissions per year. Large-scale monocultures for cotton are a burden on biodiversity and ecosystems are damaged by the use of chemicals. In addition, the dyeing and finishing of textiles releases toxic chemicals into wastewater and pollutes water and soil. These factors highlight the need for a sustainable transformation of the textile industry.
The systematic recording of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in production facilities and, consequently, the definition and implementation of adaptation measures to reduce GHG emissions play a major role in mitigating the negative effects on the climate in the textile sector.
The topic of circular economy and climate is therefore becoming increasingly relevant. The excessive use of resources by fast fashion trends exceeds planetary boundaries and leads to enormous amounts of waste. This in turn leads to environmental challenges in the countries of the Global South, where textile waste is often shipped. For this reason, it is necessary to rethink previously linear value chains in circular processes and implement them step by step. The primary aim is to preserve the value of textiles, keeping them in the cycle for as long as possible, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from production processes and integrating and reusing textile waste as valuable secondary raw materials in the cycle.
In the course of this, the member companies strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and focus intensively on the recyclability of their products and internal processes. This includes circular design, durability and reparability of textile products and their disposal, as well as the use of secondary raw materials and the reduction of harmful chemicals.
Our projects on this focus topic
Reference framework
The Textile Partnership and its members strive for a more sustainable production and recycling of textile products and thus the establishment of a climate-neutral circular economy in the textile sector. The Partnership and its members are guided by the EU Strategy for Sustainable Textiles, which is part of the European Green Deal, and the goals and recommendations of the UNFCCC Fashion Charter for Climate Action. These are in line with the requirements of the ZDHC on the MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substances List) for the use of chemicals and the Wastewater Standard Foundational.
The EU strategy for sustainable textiles aims to reduce GHG emissions and optimize the use of resources through the principles of circular design (durability, reparability, recyclability), the increased use of recycled and alternative fibres and the exclusion of substances of concern. It also focuses on greater transparency and traceability of data along the supply chain through the use of digital product passports. Circular products and production processes as well as circular business models are therefore of central importance for the transformation of the textile sector.
This also addresses key OECD sector risks: Resource use and environmental protection, chemical use, waste water and greenhouse gas emissions.
Early preparation for the upcoming legislative requirements and a transparent and sustainable conversion of our own supply chains are important for achieving these goals.
Focus topics in the Textiles Partnership
The Textiles Partnership aims to increase the impact of its activities by focusing on specific issues and by combining forces and resources in a meaningful way.
