Fashion Revolution Report Exposes Big Fashion’s Fossil-Fuel Dependency
The report reveals a stark gap between climate commitments and actual action in the sector
Fashion Revolution has released the second edition of its What Fuels Fashion? report, spotlighting the fossil-fuel reliance and lack of climate action among 200 of the world’s largest fashion brands with a combined annual turnover of over USD $2.7 trillion.
The report, which tracks 70+ indicators across decarbonisation, energy procurement, financing, accountability, advocacy, and just transition, reveals a stark gap between climate commitments and actual action in the sector.
🔻 Key Findings
- Coal Dependency: Only 18% of brands disclose coal phase-out targets for textile processing, while none address purchased steam, leaving fossil-fuels embedded deep in supply chains.
- Renewable Energy Commitments: Merely 10% of brands disclose renewable electricity targets in their supply chains, and just 6% publish broader renewable energy goals.
- Electrification of Heat: Only 7% show evidence of electrifying high-heat processes, despite the availability of clean alternatives like heat pumps and electric boilers.
- Traceability Gap: 90 brands scored zero on supply chain traceability; worryingly, 59% of these are publicly-listed companies — raising red flags for investors on ESG compliance.
- Emission Reductions: While 55% have SBTi-verified targets, only 29% demonstrate actual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
🔻 Expert Warnings
- “The path to decarbonization will be won or lost by how fashion tackles heat,” said Liv Simpliciano, Fashion Revolution’s Head of Policy & Research.
- Prof. Jan Rosenow of Oxford University noted that since most textile processes require heat below 250°C, the industry could transition away from fossil fuels entirely with current technologies.
🔻 Worker Impact
The report stresses that failing to move toward clean energy jeopardizes not only climate goals but also the health, safety, and dignity of workers across the global fashion supply chain.
The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy
