Sustainable fashion might feel like just another buzzword thrown around by brands, but it’s far more than that. Sustainability is a lifeline for a planet pushed to its limits. The fashion industry, which shapes trends and dictates what’s in your wardrobe, is also one of the biggest contributors to environmental degradation

The numbers don’t lie: the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions—more than aviation and shipping combined. Think about that. Every stitch, seam, and sparkle in your wardrobe comes at a hefty environmental price. Producing garments also consumes a staggering 93 billion cubic metres of water annually, enough to meet the basic needs of five million people. That’s before we even consider toxic dyeing processes and pesticide-laden cotton farming. Reflecting on the Paris Peace Conferece’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, we would need to reduce our emissions by 45% by 2030. The Earth is already 1.1°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s, signifying the downward trend which our world faces if action isn’t taken soon.

What’s driving this? Fast fashion—an industry that thrives on producing cheap, disposable clothing at breakneck speed. In just a few decades, global fibre production has doubled, with the average person consuming more clothing than ever before. Micro-trends and social media-fuelled fads encourage the “wear it once” mentality, leading to an endless loop of buying, discarding, and repeating. This relentless churn of production and consumption has catastrophic consequences.

Every year, millions of tonnes of clothing are tossed aside. In fact, 85% of discarded textiles end up in landfills or incinerators. In 1995, 7.6 kilograms of fibre were produced per person on the planet. But by 2018, this had nearly doubled to 13.8 kilograms per person, coupled with the near 2 billion increase in population (5.7 billion to 7.6 billion people). It’s not just the sheer volume of waste that’s alarming but also the impact it has on the planet. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, a staple in fast fashion, take centuries to decompose. And as they break down, they release greenhouse gases like methane, further fuelling global warming. Fashion production makes up 10% of the world’s carbon emissions, which is more than international flights and maritime shipping combined.

Even before they reach the landfill, synthetic garments wreak havoc. Every wash sheds microplastics—tiny fibres invisible to the naked eye but devastating to marine ecosystems. These microplastics find their way into waterways, where they’re consumed by fish and, ultimately, by humans. Research has shown that microplastics can affect a variety of different systems in the human body, such as the digestive and the respiratory system, as well as cause chemical toxicity which can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. And presently, 500,000 tons of microfibres are released into the ocean each year from washing clothes. That’s equivalent to around 50 billion plastic bottles. Let that soak in. It’s a chilling reminder of how interconnected our actions and their consequences really are.

The good news? Change is happening. Brands are slowly beginning to embrace more sustainable practices, spurred on by consumer demand and environmental urgency. New materials like Econyl, made from recycled waste, and Tencel, derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp, are leading the way. Companies like Patagonia have pioneered repair programmes, encouraging consumers to mend rather than toss their clothes.

Circular fashion—where products are designed to be reused, repaired, and recycled—is gaining momentum. Initiatives like clothing swaps, rental services, and second-hand platforms are encouraging consumers to rethink the “new is better” mindset. Transparency is also improving. Brands like Reformation use tools like RefScale to measure and share the environmental impact of their products, helping shoppers make more informed choices.

Sustainable fashion is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s a necessity. The environmental challenges we face—from carbon emissions to microplastics—are deeply tied to what we wear. Both the industry and consumers have a role to play in reversing this trajectory.

The road to sustainable fashion is long, but every small step matters. By choosing eco-friendly materials, supporting brands that prioritise ethics, and rethinking our relationship with clothing, we can make a difference.