Styling a Sustainable Future: Investigating Threats and Responsible Practises in the Fashion Industry

Abstract

This thesis investigates the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impacts of the textile and fashion industry. The sector plays a key role in global commerce, yet faces growing scrutiny for its environmental footprint, immoral social practices, and corporate governance standards. From the environmental perspective, the textile industry lies between the fourteen priority sectors for achieving carbon neutrality, given the excessive production that jeopardises raw materials’ supply and exacerbates waste generation, resulting in high environmental criticality. The research aims at quantifying the magnitude of impact on the depletion of natural resources, including water and energy consumption, land use and biodiversity. Additionally, analysing its contribution to pollution through chemical usage, accumulation of waste directed to disposal, and greenhouse gas emissions. From the social point of view, the thesis explores labour practices, working conditions, and human rights issues, with particular attention to the industry’s supply chain. Under examination is fashion companies’ positioning in terms of compliance with ethical labour standards, fair wages, and worker safety, particularly in regions with weak regulatory oversight and limited enforcement mechanisms. In terms of governance, the analysis focuses on fashion labels' adherence to responsible procurement and marketing practices, as well as the integrity and transparency of their business operations. This section sheds light on the critical need for companies to reinvent their business models through sustainable innovation, showcasing successful examples of brands that have integrated eco-friendly practices throughout their value chain. To close the loop, after examining regulatory gaps, policymakers' efforts to reform the legislative framework and the gravity of impacts caused by production models in recent decades, it is crucial to focus on consumer behaviour. Purchasing habits and wardrobe management have adapted to the accelerated cycle of fashion seasons, prioritising affordability and trendiness over long-term value and environmental impact. Consequently, items are worn only a few times before being deemed "out of fashion" and discarded. To better understand this dynamic, a survey was conducted targeting voters from different age groups, assessing their purchasing preferences, habits, and level of awareness regarding more sustainable alternatives. The objective was to identify the key barriers preventing consumers from adopting eco-friendly practices more consistently and to understand which areas of improvement could encourage greater commitment to sustainable fashion. Consumers play a pivotal role in driving transformative change in the industry. Educating them on the value of buying less but keeping items for longer is the first step towards reshaping the entire sector—curbing overproduction, reducing waste, and alleviating worker exploitation. In essence, the future of fashion depends significantly on informed consumer choices, which can guide the industry towards a more sustainable offering and more rigorous ethical principles.