According to people who think this sort of thing matters, the fashion industry produces more emissions than international flights and maritime shipping combined. According to a climate minister down under, the solution is to launder money from clothing makers (consumers) into government programs.
The clothing industry is … the fourth-most polluting industry in the world, generating somewhere between 4 to 8 per cent of global emissions.
The minister is currently considering whether to intervene in the sector to improve its recycling and reuse efforts, which could include minimum design standards or mandating fashion brands contribute to a green fund for every piece of clothing they make or import and put to market.
A few paragraphs later, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of emissions, so we might save the planet by writing shorter articles about clothing “emissions.” Had they stopped at 4-8%, we would have saved 2-6% off the top without fees, fines, or revolving government green funds (green meaning money).
Under the scheme, members must pay a 4 cent contribution to the Seamless program for every piece of clothing they make or import, though footwear, single-use protective wear and accessories are excluded.
Seamless funding would then go towards clothing collection and sorting, research and recycling projects, education campaigns and other work to help coordinate the industry’s green efforts.
The Fashion Council estimates the scheme will raise about $36 million each year, and up to $60 million if it became mandatory for the sector to contribute.
Let me translate. The government will drive up the cost of clothes to fund political friends and family pretending to save the environment (also known as “donors”). Maybe they should skip all the foreplay and start handing out Mao Suits.
