REDUCING FASHION’S CARBON FOOTPRINT

Every action we take has various impacts. The carbon footprint can be briefly defined as the amount of greenhouse gases emitted as a result of all our actions. Simple steps like turning off lights in unused rooms at home, using public transportation instead of taxis, and sorting and recycling waste can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Additionally, your fashion choices play a critical role in reducing carbon footprint and combating the climate crisis. 

So, how can fashion reduce its carbon footprint? 

Consumers are one of the key actors in reducing fashion’s carbon footprint. According to McKinsey’s research, consumers’ conscious consumption habits are responsible for a 21% reduction in fashion’s carbon footprint among all factors. Shopping from brands that use sustainable materials, practice ethical production, and develop waste management and recycling strategies not only reduces your carbon footprint but also encourages brands to embrace sustainability. 

However, when we look at the big picture, we see that brands and manufacturers have a significant responsibility in reducing fashion’s carbon footprint. Because fashion accounts for 10% of total global carbon emissions, and if necessary steps are not taken, this figure is expected to rise to 16% by 2030. 

Are Circular Business Models Effective in Reducing Carbon Emissions? 

Circular business models play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions by extending the product’s lifespan, enabling recycling, and gradually reducing the need for new and limited resources in production. According to research, models that develop new systems based on reused products instead of producing new ones, such as renting, renewing, and recommerce, can help the industry reduce approximately 143 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Having every 5 garments involved in circular business models by 2030 means they are produced, bought, and sold through these systems. 

Among circular systems, the primary model currently comprising 7% of the fashion market is recommerce, or “resale.” With changing consumer habits, especially the increasing demand for “good fashion” among Generation Z, it is expected that circular recommerce models will dominate at least 12% of the market by 2030, supporting fashion brands in the coming decade. 

Especially with countries beginning to take steps on this issue recently, we foresee that strategies developed by brands for excess and dead stock, renewing and reintroducing these products for resale, will be one of the main agendas of fashion over the next 10 years. 

You can transform your business model into a circular one and take your brand into the future with Nivogo. 

As the leader of circular transformation, Nivogo converts the linear business models of partner brands into circular ones and offers them the opportunity to revive products that have been left out of the cycle for various reasons. If you want to take a step for both your brand’s and the environment’s sustainability, you can contact Nivogo.