Roadmap to Net Zero: Delivering Science-Based Targets in the Apparel Sector

The report estimates that apparel sector emissions were 1.025 gigatons CO2e in 2019 and are projected to reach 1.588 gigatons by 2030 under a business-as-usual scenario. To close the gap and meet 1.5°C targets, the report proposes six key interventions: maximizing material efficiency, scaling sustainable materials and practices, accelerating innovative materials, proliferating energy efficiency, eliminating coal in manufacturing, and shifting to 100% renewable electricity. It also emphasizes the need to transition from linear to circular business models.

• Apparel sector emissions were estimated at 1.025 gigatons CO2e in 2019 and are projected to rise to 1.588 gigatons by 2030 if left unchecked, which is insufficient to meet the 45% absolute reduction needed for a 1.5°C limit.
• Six specific interventions are identified to deliver approximately three quarters of the reductions necessary for a 1.5°C scenario: maximizing material efficiency, scaling sustainable materials and practices, accelerating innovative materials, proliferating energy efficiency, eliminating coal in manufacturing, and shifting to 100% renewable electricity.
• The industry must move away from the current linear 'take, make, waste' model toward circular business models and practices to reduce environmental impact, although data on the specific greenhouse gas benefits of circularity remain sparse.
• There has been a significant increase in apparel companies committing to science-based targets (SBTs), growing from approximately 12 companies in late 2017 to over 100 by May 2021, encompassing a diverse range of brands, retailers, and manufacturers.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Roadmap to Net Zero: Delivering Science-Based Targets in the Apparel Sector. https://www.wri.org/research/roadmap-net-zero-delivering-science-based-targets-apparel-sector

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Roadmap to Net Zero: Delivering Science-Based Targets in the Apparel Sector. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/roadmap-net-zero-delivering-science-based-targets-apparel-sector.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Roadmap to Net Zero: Delivering Science-Based Targets in the Apparel Sector |url=https://www.wri.org/research/roadmap-net-zero-delivering-science-based-targets-apparel-sector |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendroadmap, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Roadmap to Net Zero: Delivering Science-Based Targets in the Apparel Sector}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/roadmap-net-zero-delivering-science-based-targets-apparel-sector}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }