Textile manufacturing facilities have a key role in achieving industry targets to reduce water use and carbon emissions by 30% by 2031.
Both consumers and brands are increasingly selecting products and companies that demonstrate action and commitment to critical environmental issues such as water use and climate change. OEKO-TEX®’s new carbon and water footprint tool will help the fashion industry become more sustainable.
The organization's most recognized label is its Standard 100. Products bearing this label are free from elevated levels of more than 100 substances that are harmful and hazardous to humans and the environment. The label has since become a prominent label for clean textile-testing across the entire fashion and textile industries respectively.
The Textile Industry is Responsible for 20% of Global Water Pollution
Eighty percent of pollution reaches the oceans through rivers and waterways. Companies in various sectors have seen this as an opportunity and have developed technologies to reduce pollution.
Between 60 and 70 million people work in the textile industry, which is valued at approximately US$2.4 trillion. According to the World Resources Institute, an estimated 5 trillion liters of water are used in the dyeing process, and it is estimated that between 48 billion and 144 billion square meters of fabric from factory waste end up in landfills each year. It takes up to 10,000 liters of water to make a single pair of jeans, and about 2,500 liters to make a cotton shirt.
Together, the industry is responsible for 20% of the world's water pollution, which is enough water to quench the thirst of 110 million people for an entire year.
Meanwhile, waste and the circular economy have become major issue, as the total amount of textile waste has increased 8-fold since 1960 and 85% is incinerated or landfilled. In terms of carbon emissions, the industry is responsible for 7-10% of annual global emissions, which is more than all international flights and shipping combined. By 2030, these greenhouse gas emissions will increase by more than 50%.
What the OEKO-TEX® Carbon Footprint Tool Aims to Achieve
More than 120 brands have recently signed the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. This demonstrates the industry's intention to contribute to the UN Paris Agreement commitments to limit global warming to 1.5°. To achieve this, the fashion industry has set out to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030.
A recent CDP report highlights the lack of tracking and reporting on the fashion industry's water impact compared to other sectors. These trends increase the pressure for all stakeholders along the textile value chain to measure, understand, report, and improve their climate impacts.
OEKO-TEX® has included the two most critical elements of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology in STeP certification. Specifically, production facilities can now measure carbon emissions and the impact of water use.
With this tool, textile production facilities will be able to:
- Identify major carbon emissions and water impacts by materials used/produced and through the facility's production processes.
- Share their Carbon and Water Footprint results with customers, investors, brand partners, and other stakeholders.
- Improve operations whilst maintaining a competitive advantage.
The Carbon and Water Footprint Tool is offered as a benefit to facilities participating in STeP by OEKO -TEX® certification. They have free access to the tool. It allows facilities to obtain an initial measurement of their carbon emissions and water use without having to do a full Corporate Footprint, thus saving time and money.
Facilities that choose to share their Carbon and Water Footprint results with customers and brands can demonstrate leadership and gain a competitive advantage. Brands can work with their STeP by OEKO-TEX® production facilities to incorporate the results into their sustainability reporting process.