Rising Tide: Fashion Sees 14% Increase in Emissions, Says Apparel Impact Institute – Modaes Global

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1 sep 2026 – 10:39

The fashion industry has seen a 14% increase in its greenhouse gas emissions over the past two years. Specifically, emissions rose by 6.3% in 2024 and by 7.5% in 2023, when the first significant increase since 2019 was recorded, according to a study published by the Apparel Impact Institute

The increase in impact is due to rising global fiber production, particularly polyester. As Kurt Kipka, the institute’s director of impact, explained, cost poses a major obstacle for the sector in its efforts to decarbonize. Virgin polyester, he notes, remains cheaper and easier to obtain than recycled material

Burberry postponed its goal of achieving net-zero emissions until 2040

Kipka also noted that, as a result of the conflict in Iran and the exponential rise in energy prices,“renewable energy option.”

Following a slight decline in consumption in 2022, the sector faces a drop of up to 34% in profits by 2030, according to another study conducted by the institute, due to supply chain disruptions and rising operating costs

However, the report also offers a positive note. The number of fashion companies that have adopted science-based climate targets or committed to setting them rose to 100 by the end of 2021 and to 700 last June