UK Textile Brands Cut Carbon by 6%, Water Use by 9%

In a major sustainability stride, UK textile brands have successfully cut carbon emissions by 6% and water use by 9% since 2019, according to the UK Textiles Pact’s Fourth Annual Progress Report by WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme).

The achievement highlights the growing commitment of British fashion and textile companies toward environment-friendly manufacturing, recycled materials, and sustainable fibre sourcing. However, the gains are partially overshadowed by the 17% increase in production volumes, which has led to a rise in total emissions and water use across the industry.

The Push Toward Sustainability

The UK Textiles Pact aims for a 50% reduction in carbon footprint and a 30% reduction in water footprint by 2030. Many brands are rethinking how garments are designed and produced — shifting from fast fashion to circular design models that extend a product’s life cycle through reuse, repair, and recycling.

Since 2019, the industry has achieved:

• 62% of new textiles with reduced environmental impact (up from 25%)

• 16% recycled fibre usage (up from 2% in 2021, exceeding global average 7.6%)

• 210,000 tonnes of used textiles recycled in 2024 (27% increase since 2019)

These numbers show a strong shift in corporate responsibility and innovation within the UK fashion supply chain.

The Hidden Challenge: Overproduction

Despite per-product efficiency gains, rising production volumes are reversing environmental progress. As consumer demand for new products continues, brands struggle to balance commercial growth with sustainability. The WRAP report notes that total carbon emissions increased by 10%, and water use rose by 7%, primarily due to overproduction.

This paradox — of doing better per garment but making too many garments — underscores the need for systemic change in fashion consumption and production models.

Circular Models Gaining Ground

Circular business models are slowly emerging as the future of fashion. Although they currently represent just 0.02% of total textiles sold, adoption is increasing annually. In 2024, 13% of used textiles handled by reuse and recycling signatories were sold via peer-to-peer resale platforms, showing the public’s growing appetite for second-hand and sustainable fashion.

Conclusion

The UK textile industry has made measurable progress in reducing environmental impact, proving that sustainable transformation is possible. Yet, the challenge of overproduction remains a significant barrier. For true sustainability, brands must not only make eco-friendly garments but also rethink the volume-driven growth mindset that drives excess production.

As WRAP’s findings show — sustainability is not just about producing better, but producing less.