Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain - A Global Roadmap Textile Value Chain - Executive Summary

The textile sector plays a key role in driving industrialization, trade, development and social value. It rapidly develops regional and global value chains by connecting producers, retailers and consumers from across the world. It is also a sector struggling to address its contributions to the triple planetary crisis on climate change, nature loss and pollution. All year, the textile sector emits 2-8% of the world’s greenhouse gases, uses the equivalent of 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools of natural water resources, and is responsible for 9% of microplastic pollution to our oceans. Additionally, the value chain has deep social impacts, with textile workers at risk of exploitation, underpayment, forced labour, health risks and abuse. Women are particularly vulnerable as they represent an average of 68% of the garment workforce, and 45% of the overall textile sector workforce.