A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere because of the activities of a particular person, organization, or community. This includes gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The measurement accounts for the different global warming potentials of these gases.
The carbon footprint can be divided into two main categories: primary and secondary. The primary footprint includes the direct emissions of greenhouse gases from burning car fuels or household energy consumption. The secondary footprint involves the emission of CO2 gases from the lifecycle of a product, from its production to its breakdown.
Daily activities, such as transportation and household chores, contribute to an individual’s carbon footprint.
To calculate a company’s carbon footprint, we can look at its operations, waste management, and how its machines are used.
Why Does Carbon Footprint Matter And How It Helps?
Reducing the carbon footprint often involves using resources more efficiently. This can lead to cost savings and reduced reliance on finite resources such as fossil fuels. Efficient use of energy, materials, and water also helps preserve ecosystems and biodiversity.
How Tracking and Reducing Carbon Footprint Helps?
Measuring the carbon footprint of an individual or a business involves quantifying the total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by human activities. This data provides valuable insights that can inform better decisions for individuals and businesses.
For individuals, understanding their carbon footprint can lead to making more informed choices, such as opting for sustainable products, reducing energy consumption, or making lifestyle changes to minimize their environmental impact.
Businesses can use this data for strategic planning to identify areas where emissions can be reduced throughout the supply chain, leading to more sustainable and environmentally friendly operations.
Measuring the carbon footprint of an individual or a business involves quantifying the total greenhouse gas emissions directly and indirectly caused by their activities. This data provides valuable insights that can inform and guide decision-making towards more sustainable practices.
Tracking carbon footprints allows for setting specific, measurable goals for emission reductions.
By addressing their carbon footprints, individuals, businesses, and governments can play a crucial role in tackling climate change, promoting sustainability, and ensuring a healthier planet.
What is Fashion Industries Carbon Footprint?
The fashion industry plays a significant role in global carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 2-8% of the total. It is estimated that the industry emits about 1.2 billion tones of CO2 equivalent annually. And this number is rising year after year.
The majority of greenhouse gas emissions occur during the production, design, and transportation stages.
During the production of garments alone, textile requires around 93 billion cubic meters of water annually.
“According to UNCTAD, some 93 billion cubic meters of water – enough to meet the needs of five million people – is used by the fashion industry annually, and around half a million tons of microfiber, which is the equivalent of 3 million barrels of oil, is now being dumped into the ocean every year. As for carbon emissions, the industry is responsible for more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.”
[source UN news] drive to highlight environmental cost
From the fashion show to clothes that are in the retail store to your closet, more than 1 billion tones of greenhouse gases are emitted in the environment. But this does not stop here, 90% of the clothing worn by the consumers are thrown away. They end up in the landfills. Industry annually produces 92 million tons of textile waste, taking over 100 years for most fabrics to biodegrade.
Isn’t this scary? that a piece of clothing you buy, which you may only wear a few times, will likely take longer than your lifespan to break down in the soil?
Now we know the numbers, let’s break down how these gases are produced during the full lifecycle of the garment.
Starting from textile production, most of our affordable fast fashion garments are made from synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester. Synthetic fibers are derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel. Extracting and refining petroleum for fiber production emits significant amounts of CO2. During the manufacturing of polyester, highly toxic chemicals are used, which not only harm the environment but also our skin.
The production of garments involves various chemical processes and the use of machinery, from dyeing to finishing. The fast fashion industry demands quick production, resulting in large amounts of clothing being made in a short amount of time. This rapid production consumes significant amounts of electricity. Additionally, the washing and scouring processes used to clean the fabric require large quantities of hot water, typically heated using energy from fossil fuels.
Packaging and distribution are also one of the critical components of the supply chain that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in various industries. The production of plastic packaging materials (e.g., bags, wraps, containers) involves the extraction and refining of petroleum, which is a highly carbon-intensive process.
Once the final item has been packaged, the transportation of goods from manufacturers to distribution centers, retailers, and consumers is primarily done using trucks, ships, trains, and airplanes. These modes of transport burn fossil fuels (diesel, gasoline, jet fuel), releasing CO₂ and other GHGs.
Fast fashion clothing made from synthetic materials often get damaged more quickly than cotton. They only last a few years before ending up in landfills. While they satisfy the desire for trendy clothes, the downside is that when they end up in landfills, they take years to biodegrade and emit harmful gases into the environment.
Globally, 80% of discarded textiles end up in landfills or are incinerated, while only 20% are reused or recycled. Clothing that is disposed of in landfills can remain there for over 200 years, emitting methane as it decomposes, which is a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon.
How Can Fashion Industries Improve Their Carbon Footprint?
Improving the carbon footprint in the fashion industry involves implementing sustainable practices throughout the supply chain, from raw material production to end-of-life disposal. Here are several strategies that can help:
- Optimize energy use in manufacturing facilities by upgrading to energy-efficient machinery and using renewable energy sources.
- Adopt zero-waste patterns and manufacturing techniques to minimize fabric waste. Recycle scraps and off-cuts into new products.
- Eco-Friendly Packaging: Using minimal, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging materials to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
- Manufacture products closer to the market to reduce transportation emissions.
- Partner with suppliers who follow sustainable practices and have lower carbon footprints
How Can We Make A Difference?
Choose to resale and recycle garments before making new purchase.
9 Different Ways To Reuse Old Clothing – Green Glamour
Educate yourself on how to care for clothes to prolong their lifespan, such as washing at lower temperatures and avoiding tumble drying. Reaad the article for more sustainable washing tips:
The Green Laundry: How Your Washing Habits Can Save the Planet?
Buy clothes from sustainable brands and opt for second-hand clothing.
Ultimate guide to buy secondhand clothes in 2024 – Green Glamour
By integrating these strategies, the fashion industry can significantly reduce its carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Check out my other blogs on sustainable fashion:
Why fashion needs to be more sustainable? – Green Glamour
5 Types of eco-friendly packaging in 2024 – Green Glamour
Top 3 well-known eco-friendly fabrics – Green Glamour
Challenges and Solutions in Sustainable Fashion – Green Glamour
