Climate crisis threatens the global fashion industry, report says - EURACTIV

Climate crisis threatens the global fashion industry, report says - EURACTIV.com
By Annita Elissaiou | EURACTIV.com Est. 4min 14-09-2023 Content-Type: News News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Intense heatwaves and flooding pose a growing risk to the apparel industry's production, but also to its workers' health. [EPA-EFE/MAK REMISSA] EURACTIV is part of the Trust Project >>> Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Extreme weather phenomena like heat and floods could cost the fashion industry up to €60 billion in exports, disrupting production and risking the well-being of workers, according to a study released on Wednesday (13 September). The analysis by Cornell University’s Global Labour Institute and investment management firm Schroders, reveals the extent of the damage that climate change could cause to the apparel industry in the absence of effective measures. South Asian and Southeast Asian nations, where the majority of production countries are located, are found to be especially vulnerable to heatwaves and floods. “Flooding and extreme heat pose significant risk to every constituency in global apparel production – workers, manufacturers, regulators, investors and brands themselves,” said Jason Judd, Executive Director of Cornell Global Labour Institute. “The Global North’s climate nightmares are already in evidence in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia and elsewhere. Life, let alone work, will become very difficult in these and many other hotspots that apparel brands and retailers depend on for production,” he added. Extreme weather events could lead to the loss of nearly 1 million jobs in the sector, the study found, as adverse conditions limit productivity and growth, forcing manufacturers to bring operations to a halt. The report also highlights the concerning risks that heat and floods pose to workers’ health. Working under these conditions can expose them to bodily harm and diseases such as dengue fever. More work needed on EU's textile waste reduction plan, campaigners say The European Commission’s proposed measures to address the environmental impact of the fashion industry are insufficient to address the scale of the challenge, according to civil society groups. Adaptation over mitigation The fashion sector is known to have a huge impact on the environment, ranking fifth highest for greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. The industry’s efforts to combat climate change have focused mostly on mitigation, such as reducing water usage and increasing the use of recycled fabrics. But experts warn that this strategy ignores the consequences of climate change, and does little to prevent its damage. Instead, the focus should be on large-scale and fit-for-purpose adaptation measures, which are an essential addition to mitigation efforts, said Angus Bauer, Head of Sustainable Investment Research at Schroders. Speaking to EURACTIV, Cornell’s Judd said that finances and the scale of the endeavour are the main challenges, but there is keen interest from the sector. Adaptation measures could have positive returns on investments for the fashion industry, but they will also contribute to protect workers from the effects of climate change, he said. “This problem sits at the intersection of labour and human rights, and climate breakdown,” Judd commented. “Regulators will need to make significant investments in social protection systems.” “If the costs that are now being borne by workers are not worked into the costs paid by the buyers, there won’t be relief for the workers,” he continued. “Workers and suppliers subsidise the industry with their health – that’s the impact of business-as-usual.” According to Schroder’s Bauer, all stakeholders in the apparel industry have a role to play in combating the adverse effects of climate change, and the development of adaptation strategies. “Investors must begin to engage with apparel companies and their stakeholders to ensure they start to measure and address the significant challenges of physical climate impacts on workers and business models,” Bauer said. “Furthermore, apparel companies must look to partner with suppliers, and work with peers, worker organisations and policy makers to design suitable adaptation strategies that consider the impact on workers,” he concluded. EU countries prepare for textile recycling big bang Recycling textiles is no easy feat, with industrial processes still in their early years. Yet, recyclers say a looming obligation for EU countries to collect and sort used textiles will help the nascent industry get off the ground. [Edited by Nathalie Weatherald and Frédéric Simon] Read more with EURACTIV Catastrophic Libya flood kills thousands, desperate relatives search for survivorsResidents of the devastated Libyan city of Derna desperately searched for missing relatives on Wednesday and rescue workers appealed for more body bags, after a catastrophic flood that killed thousands of people and swept many out to sea. Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Topics climate change adaptation Energy & Environment fashion industry