Introduction:
As the global community races against the clock to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the fashion industry faces increasing pressure to expedite its efforts in combating climate change. The urgency is underscored by the fact that 2023 was declared the hottest year on record, with extreme weather identified as the leading risk for 2024, according to the Global Risks Report by the World Economic Forum. With the fashion industry contributing between 1.8% and 4% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, a substantial portion of which comes from non-renewable energy sources, the need for swift and effective measures is evident.

Commitments to Progress:
Numerous brands, retailers, and producers within the fashion industry are actively setting emission reduction goals, signaling a collective will to drive progress. The majority of respondents to the Fashion Industry Target Consultation have committed to halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero status by 2050. Encouragingly, 93% of brands and 89% of producers are already monitoring and measuring their progress. Over 400 apparel companies have embraced commitments or science-based targets through SBTi, while all Sustainable Apparel Coalition members were anticipated to adopt SBTs in 2023. Additionally, compliance with the UN Fashion Charter is expected to bring about enhanced transparency and accountability as companies publicly report annual greenhouse gas emissions and other climate-related information.

Challenges in Compliance:
Despite the evident commitment, the fashion industry faces ongoing challenges in achieving full compliance, leading to a continued rise in emissions. Less than half of the active Fashion Charter signatories are currently compliant with climate targets necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The need for accelerated progress is particularly acute at the manufacturing level (scope 3), where the majority of emissions are generated. Many manufacturing processes still heavily rely on non-renewable energy sources, especially coal. However, transitioning to renewables faces obstacles in several production countries, including systemic, political, and infrastructural challenges.

Moving from Ambition to Action:
Addressing the carbon footprint of the fashion industry requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing the adoption of renewable resources and a specific transition away from coal in textile mills and manufacturing facilities. A pivotal step involves altering the power supply across all processing stages to 100% renewable energy, making a significant contribution to CO2 reduction. Achieving this transition necessitates large-scale infrastructure solutions and proactive industry participation in collective financing and implementation.

A Bold Initiative:
In response to these challenges, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), and fashion industry leaders BESTSELLER and H&M Group are collaborating on a groundbreaking initiative. The project aims to develop the first offshore wind farm in Bangladesh, a crucial manufacturing hub for the fashion industry. Currently in early-stage development by CIP and local partner Summit Power, the offshore wind farm is projected to commence operations in 2028 with an approximate capacity of 500MW. This initiative holds the potential to significantly boost the availability of renewable energy in Bangladesh, a key step toward the nation’s goal of sourcing 40% of its power from renewables by 2041. The project is also expected to create job opportunities, stabilize energy supply, and reduce emissions by an estimated 725,000 tons annually.

Conclusion:
The collaboration between GFA, CIP, and leading fashion companies represents a proactive approach to breaking down barriers and implementing solutions that can drive substantial decarbonization in the fashion industry. As the industry collectively strives to meet climate targets and contribute to the broader global effort against climate change, initiatives like the offshore wind project in Bangladesh serve as a model for effective collaboration and impactful action.