Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions
The fashion industry contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined
Fast fashion produces 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent per year globally
The average consumer buys 60% more clothing today than 15 years ago, increasing carbon emissions
Clothing production doubled between 2000 and 2014 but consumers kept clothes half as long
Producing one cotton shirt generates about 2.1 kg of CO2
Producing one pair of jeans emits approximately 33.4 kg of CO2 equivalent
Polyester production, used heavily in fast fashion, emits 706 million tons of CO2 annually
Polyester accounts for 52% of global fiber production and contributes heavily to emissions
If the fashion industry continues on its current path, its greenhouse gas emissions will surge more than 50% by 2030
Fossil fuels are used in almost every step of fast fashion production, accounting for nearly 98 million tons of non-renewable input per year
The fashion industry's supply chain was responsible for 1.7 billion tons of CO2 in 2015
Nearly 60% of all clothing ends up in incinerators or landfills within a year of being produced, a significant source of CO2
Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions
- The fashion industry contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined
- Fast fashion produces 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent per year globally
- Producing one cotton shirt generates about 2.1 kg of CO2
- Producing one pair of jeans emits approximately 33.4 kg of CO2 equivalent
- Polyester production, used heavily in fast fashion, emits 706 million tons of CO2 annually
- Polyester accounts for 52% of global fiber production and contributes heavily to emissions
- If the fashion industry continues on its current path, its greenhouse gas emissions will surge more than 50% by 2030
- The fashion industry's supply chain was responsible for 1.7 billion tons of CO2 in 2015
- Washing synthetic garments releases around 500,000 tons of microplastics into the ocean annually, which contributes to CO2 emissions through degradation
- Fashion production emits 2.1 billion tons of greenhouse gases annually
- If fast fashion continues, the industry's emissions could increase by 63% in 2030
- Most fast fashion garments are produced in coal-powered factories in nations like China and Bangladesh, contributing significantly to CO2 emissions
- The average pair of jeans uses the same amount of CO2 emissions as driving a car over 80 miles
- A single polyester shirt has more than double the carbon footprint of a cotton one
- Apparel and footwear industries account for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions
- Answering the growing consumer demand for cheap fashion causes brands to release 52 micro-collections annually, increasing emissions
- Emissions from fashion will increase to 2.7 billion metric tons per year by 2030 if no changes are made
- Fast fashion’s reliance on air freight increases its carbon footprint significantly compared to slower supply chains
- The energy-intensive nature of synthetic fiber production exacerbates climate change
- Clothing and textile industry will use 26% of the global carbon budget for a 2°C pathway by 2050 at current pace
Interpretation
Fast fashion may dress us cheaply, but with emissions outpacing aviation and threatening to burn through over a quarter of our carbon budget by 2050, it's the most stylishly destructive addiction we're yet to kick.
Consumer Behavior and Industry Growth
- The average consumer buys 60% more clothing today than 15 years ago, increasing carbon emissions
- Clothing production doubled between 2000 and 2014 but consumers kept clothes half as long
- The average person today buys 5 times more clothing than in 1980, increasing carbon footprints
Interpretation
Fast fashion’s carbon cost is skyrocketing as we buy more clothes than ever, wear them less than ever, and act surprised when the planet overheats in polyester.
Material Production and Resource Use
- Fossil fuels are used in almost every step of fast fashion production, accounting for nearly 98 million tons of non-renewable input per year
- The fashion industry consumes more energy than the aviation and shipping industries combined
- 38% of fashion’s emissions occur in raw material production
- Over 70% of climate impact from apparel occurs upstream, before the final product reaches the consumer
Interpretation
Fast fashion may dress us quickly, but behind every bargain tee lies a carbon-clad catwalk of fossil fuels and emissions that outpace planes and ships combined—proving that style without sustainability is a high-cost illusion.
Waste Generation and Recycling
- Nearly 60% of all clothing ends up in incinerators or landfills within a year of being produced, a significant source of CO2
- Fast fashion garments made with petroleum-based materials can take up to 200 years to decompose in landfills, releasing methane and CO2
- The average fast fashion product lifecycle from production to landfill is only 35 days
- 87% of the total fiber input used for clothing is ultimately incinerated or landfilled, contributing to CO2 emissions
- Americans throw away over 14 million tons of textiles each year, producing 21 billion pounds of CO2 from landfilling and incineration
- 85% of discarded textiles in the US are incinerated or sent to landfill
- Only 1% of clothing is recycled into new garments, increasing demand for virgin material that contributes to emissions
Interpretation
Fast fashion may turn heads on the runway, but with clothes lasting just 35 days before turning into 200-year carbon bombs, it's less a trend and more a ticking environmental time bomb dressed in polyester.
Water Consumption and Pollution
- Textile dyeing is the second-largest polluter of water globally, which indirectly contributes to climate impacts through energy use
- 20% of global industrial water pollution is linked to the dyeing and treatment of textiles, which requires large energy inputs
- The fashion sector used approximately 79 billion cubic meters of water in 2015 – energy used in water treatment contributes to carbon emissions
- Growing cotton for a single shirt uses 2,700 liters of water, translating to energy use and emissions
Interpretation
Fast fashion may keep closets full and prices low, but behind every bargain tee lies a thirsty, energy-guzzling process that pollutes water and pumps carbon into the climate crisis.