What are the three key areas of action needed to reach the 45% GHG emission reduction goal by 2030?

1. Material substitution

Rapidly and aggressively switching to preferred raw materials that have credible impact data (GHG emissions factors) to indicate a lower GHG impact. In 2022, Textile Exchange released new initial guidance significantly raising the bar on our definition of a “preferred” material, which can be found here. Given the number of gaps in available GHG emissions factors, it is currently not possible to model all material substitution options. GHG emissions comparisons should only be done within materials categories, not across distinct materials categories.

2. Closing the innovation gap

This includes new material solutions (sometimes referred to as “next-gen materials”) as well as other solutions that are not able to be modeled today, such as the potential carbon sequestration (removals) from regenerative agriculture.

3. Slow growth

Historically, fiber and raw material production for the fashion, apparel, and textile sector has increased year on year. But we will not reach the 2030 GHG emissions reduction target of 45% if we continue producing increasing amounts of materials and products. As an illustrative example, we have modeled a growth rate of 1% vs. the business as usual (BAU) growth rate of 3%.