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Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

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)

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

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