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Sustainability

Plastic Fast Fashion Is Driving Industry Emissions Higher

Fashion’s carbon footprint grew nearly 8 percent in 2023, the first year-on-year increase since 2019, according to a new report.
A protester holds up as sign saying "Polyester is made of Oil," while standing next to a banner that reads "Code Red For Fossil Fuel Fashion."
Growing volumes of polyester clothing are driving up fashion's emissions, according to a new report. (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
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The fashion industry’s planet-warming emissions rose by 7.5 percent in 2023, driven by growing volumes of plastic polyester usage, according to a new report from the nonprofit Apparel Impact Institute.

The increase in fashion’s climate impact is the first since 2019, a trend that is likely underpinned by the rise of ultra-fast-fashion businesses, the AII report concludes.

Learn more:

When Will Fashion Start to Bend the Curve on Its Carbon Footprint?

The sector’s planet-warming emissions inched lower in 2022 thanks to revised data, but they’re still on track to grow by more than 40 percent by 2030, according to a new report.

About the author
Sarah Kent
Sarah Kent

Sarah Kent is Chief Sustainability Correspondent at The Business of Fashion. She is based in London and drives BoF's coverage of critical environmental and labour issues.

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