The Path to Net Zero for the Fashion Industry

This book uses a quantitative science-based approach to explain where the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted by the fashion industry are generated and it explores what strategies can be deployed to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

With GHG emissions currently predicted to triple by the middle of the century, the fashion industry is far off course to reach Net Zero, as set out in the Paris Agreement. With misinformation and greenwashing representing an ever-growing barrier to potential solutions, the book aims to demystify the source of GHG emissions from the industry, breaking down in detail their origin, while identifying the steps that can be taken when designing and sourcing new products. Detailing the market drivers and trends in fashion consumption, it argues that change should be guided by science-based quantitative principles. Accessibly written with key insights at the end of each chapter, this book will enable the reader to understand the tactics to tackle decarbonisation, and ultimately outline five main strategies that can be deployed by the fashion and textile industries to align with the Paris Agreement.

This book serves as a practical guide for designers, buyers and the fashion industry in general to develop and understand approaches and strategies to reduce energy consumption and the resulting GHG emissions to reach Net Zero.

Simon J. Kew is a globally experienced senior technology leader with a track record of commercial success in implementing new chemically enabled manufacturing technologies at industrial scale. He has cross-industry global experience in implementing manufacturing innovations in global Fortune 100 and start-up companies across sectors including fashion and textiles, consumer products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food. A chemist and chemical engineer by training, he holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge.