Navigating fashion’s sustainable evolution with the Cloud

The fashion industry has a prolific carbon footprint. According to some reports, this sector accounts for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, consuming more energy than both aviation and shipping combined. This is no surprise when you consider the entire lifecycle of a garment, from manufacture and transportation to laundering and eventual disposal into a landfill. There is also the water pollution caused by dyeing processes, as well as microfibers that escape into the environment.  

The rise of fast fashion over the last two decades has only exacerbated the problem, leading to overproduction and overconsumption. Driven by the rising demand for new lines, business leaders, designers, and manufacturers have opted for cheaper materials with a shorter lifespan. These lower-quality materials make garments easy to dispose of, hard to upcycle, and less durable. 

Consumers driving sustainability initiatives 

As we approach COP 29 later this year, all eyes are fixed on how companies are succeeding in transforming last year’s climate pledges into measurable action.  

Within the fashion world, we are not only seeing a shift towards second-hand and upcycled garments, but also a desire for greater transparency and visibility when it comes to manufacturing methods. Consumers are researching the credentials of their favorite brands before committing to a purchase. This influence was highlighted in our 2024 Top Trends research, with 82% of companies saying that consumer preference for sustainable products continues to drive the adoption of sustainability initiatives in their supply chain. 

Sustainability regulations on the horizon 

Given this prevailing attitude and the fact there is already much discussion circulating across sectors around the introduction of sustainability-focused regulations such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and carbon labeling, it would not be a stretch to imagine that the labels on our clothing could provide information or a rating on the environmental impact of the product in the near future. In fact, according to our annual research, 77% of companies surveyed reported that stricter regulations and compliance requirements are pushing the business to adopt sustainability practices. 

However, by adopting a modern cloud-based labeling solution, organizations operating in the fashion industry can gain the flexibility needed to adhere to changing labeling requirements, such as the DPP and carbon label, to be compliant both today and in the future.  

Want to learn how you can navigate regulatory compliance with the Cloud to improve accuracy, ensure compliance, and enhance sustainability? Download our whitepaper today!