Threads of Transformation: Fashion, Energy & Women at the Intersection of Climate Action

The global fashion industry contributes 2-8% of global carbon emissions and uses approximately one trillion kWh of electricity annually, with emissions projected to rise by over 60% by 2030 if trends persist. The sector relies heavily on fossil fuel-based synthetic fabrics and inefficient energy sources, while most major brands lack transparent renewable energy targets for their supply chains. Women make up 60% of the workforce but face disproportionate burdens from climate change, energy access inequalities, and systemic gender disparities in wages and leadership.

• The fashion industry has a significant environmental impact, accounting for 2-8% of global carbon emissions and nearly 20% of global wastewater. The sector generates roughly 92 million tonnes of waste annually and uses 4% of global freshwater. Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to increase by more than 60% by 2030, driven by the fast fashion model and a reliance on synthetic fabrics, which are projected to constitute nearly 73% of textiles by 2030.
• The industry's energy use is vast, totaling approximately one trillion kWh of electricity per year, which is equivalent to 25% of the United States' 2023 electricity consumption. Energy costs make up 15-30% of production expenses in fast fashion, yet most major brands do not have transparent renewable energy targets for their supply chains.
• Gender inequality is central to the industry's climate-energy nexus; women comprise 60% of the workforce but suffer from low wages, poor conditions, and limited leadership opportunities. Women workers and entrepreneurs in production regions are disproportionately affected by energy access inequalities and climate change, which disrupt work and increase exposure to health risks from extreme temperatures and air pollution.

APA

Sustainable Energy for All (2025). Threads of Transformation: Fashion, Energy & Women at the Intersection of Climate Action. https://www.seforall.org/publications/threads-of-transformation-fashion-energy-women-at-the-intersection-of-climate-action

Chicago

Sustainable Energy for All. Threads of Transformation: Fashion, Energy & Women at the Intersection of Climate Action. 2025. https://www.seforall.org/publications/threads-of-transformation-fashion-energy-women-at-the-intersection-of-climate-action.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Sustainable Energy for All |title=Threads of Transformation: Fashion, Energy & Women at the Intersection of Climate Action |date=9 June 2025 |url=https://www.seforall.org/publications/threads-of-transformation-fashion-energy-women-at-the-intersection-of-climate-action |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sustainableenergyforall2025threads, author = {{Sustainable Energy for All}}, title = {{Threads of Transformation: Fashion, Energy \& Women at the Intersection of Climate Action}}, institution = {Sustainable Energy for All}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://www.seforall.org/publications/threads-of-transformation-fashion-energy-women-at-the-intersection-of-climate-action}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }