£6m investment package to help UK fashion sector become more sustainable

Whilst the fashion and textile industry is of great importance to the UK economy (worth around £21bn per year) the sector is also a major contributor to greenhouse gases. Indeed, globally it is responsible for around eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 20 per cent of wastewater. The sector also uses more energy than aviation and shipping combined.

Through a new funding package awarded through UK Research & Innovation’s (UKRI) £15m circular fashion programme, three complementary networks of researchers will work in partnership with industry to build a bank of data and knowledge, and support the transition to circular business models. 

The three groups are comprised of the Leeds University led Back to Baselines in Circular Fashion and Textiles Network which will establish a baseline to analyse the current status of sustainability practices in the industry; the Exeter University led Future Fibres Network  (which aims to establish systematic, circular and sustainable principles as the industry norm); and the IMPACT+ Network, a Northumbria University led initiative set up to improve the collation and assessment of data to advance the reliability environmental impact measures.

Professor Peter Liss, interim executive chair of the Natural Environment Research Council, part of UKRI, said: “The fashion industry makes a significant contribution to the UK. But it also impacts the environment, including using water resources and causing emissions of greenhouse gases. We need to better understand the true impact. This investment will bring together industry experts and researchers in environmental science and fashion to embed sustainability in the fashion and textile industry.”

Caroline Rush, chief executive, of British Fashion Council, added: “In order to responsibly grow businesses at a time of great change requires platforms, support and co-ordination. We look forward to working with industry and government to support the UK in retaining its reputation as creative leaders in a global industry and to develop its ability to responsibly and collectively address how we accelerate to a leading Circular Fashion Eco-System in the UK.”