Оценка эффектов мировой индустрии одежды на экологию / Assessment of the effects of the world apparel industry on the environment

Рабинзон Кристина Львовна

Аннотация


Apparel industry is a large business that includes both production and consumption processes. As the result from every business, environmental problems occur and CO2 emissions are increasing year by year. This study provides a framework for analyzing the effects of apparel industry on the environment.

The theoretical part of the research includes a comprehensive analysis of the apparel market, environmental sides of apparel business, overview of both production process and consumer behavior. It provides literature review about economic factors that affect CO2 and overview of SDG practices in textile industry.

In the practical part of the study, the effects from the industry were studied using econometric tools. Econometric analysis was used to identify the effects from the industry on macro level. The dataset includes 65 countries, including largest producers of clothes. After checking the model with several tests, fixed effects cluster model was applied. It was identified that apparel industry contributes to CO2 emissions and increase the amount of CO2. Next, to see the effects on the micro level, a case study of 3 MNC’s apparel companies was conducted – H&M, Inditex and Kering. It was found that large apparel businesses faced environmental problems and are trying to make their businesses more sustainable by setting SDG goals in their non-financial reports and creating a policy and steps to achieve these goals. By analyzing the data, it was also identified that fast fashion companies – H&M and Inditex reduced their carbon footprint from 2021 to 2022, while Kering – luxury brand – only increased the amount of produced CO2.

The recommendations for the industry were given both from the sides of companies and government regulation. Companies should use eco-friendly materials and implement modern technologies to the production process that help to minimize the usage of natural resources. States should think about the restrictions to the industry and support those companies that use sustainable materials.