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

The 'Roadmap to Net Zero' report, developed by the World Resources Institute and the Apparel Impact Institute, provides a strategy for the apparel sector to achieve a 45% absolute emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050. It estimates 2019 sector emissions at 1.025 gigatons CO2e and identifies six key technical interventions and a shift toward circular business models to align with a 1.5°C warming scenario.

• The apparel sector's emissions were estimated at 1.025 gigatons CO2e in 2019 and are projected to reach 1.588 gigatons by 2030 under a business-as-usual growth scenario, which fails to meet the 45% absolute reduction needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
• To achieve approximately three quarters of the reductions necessary for a 1.5°C scenario, the report identifies six primary interventions: maximizing material efficiency, scaling sustainable materials and practices, accelerating the development of innovative materials (such as bio-based materials and textile recycling), proliferating energy efficiency, eliminating coal in manufacturing, and shifting to 100% renewable electricity.
• There is a significant opportunity to reduce environmental impact by transitioning from a linear 'take, make, waste' model to circular business models and practices, although the report notes that data regarding the greenhouse gas benefits of circularity are currently sparse.
• The number of apparel and footwear companies committing to or having approved science-based targets (SBTs) grew from approximately a dozen 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} }