The third-year Textiles 2030 Annual Progress Report provides an overview of the progress made and challenges faced through Textiles 2030, between 2023 and 2024.
A strong baseline
Now in its third year of 10, Textiles 2030 builds on the work delivered by its predecessor the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan 2020 (SCAP). SCAP signatories exceeded two of the three targets for the initiative, with carbon and water footprints reduced by 21.6% and 18.2%, respectively.
These achievements established the 2019 baseline for Textiles 2030—a baseline that already reflects significant progress—and from which even more ambitious targets were set: a 50% reduction in carbon footprint and a 30% reduction in water footprint by 2030. These goals are purposefully challenging but are essential for tackling climate change and delivering WRAP’s vision for Circular Living.
Complex picture of progress
The results for the third year of Textiles 2030 present a complex picture of industry progress. Positive strides have been made by signatories to reduce carbon emissions (-8%) and water use (-9%) per tonne of product on the market, with signatories applying more improvement actions than in any previous year of the agreement. These switches include moving to less impactful fibres, increasing the use of recycled materials, record levels of textile collections, and circular business model pilots and collaborations.
However, growth in the volume of textiles being placed on the market since 2019 continues to offset the gains made through signatory efforts, resulting in only a 0.2% reduction in signatories’ overall carbon footprint and a 1.2% increase in their water footprint.
The opportunity
To meet the targets, the industry must shift away from the current linear model and fundamentally transform how products are made, purchased, used, and reused. As a nation, the UK needs to scale-up infrastructure for reuse and recycling. We need investment for circular business to grow and thrive. And through Textiles 2030, we must collaborate further to expand achievements and confront challenges head-on.
-
Businesses
Businesses need to use the learnings from the past three years of pilots, trials, and collaborations to scale up their circular activities – and crucially – move away from the current linear model.
-
Policymakers
Policymakers need to provide the regulatory and economic environment to power the transition to a circular textiles economy.
-
People
People can support the move to Circular Living by making fewer but more thoughtful purchases, using items for longer, and keeping textiles out of household waste by giving them another life with someone else.
Download files
-
Textiles 2030 annual progress report 23-24
PDF, 9.17 MB
By downloading resources you are agreeing to use them according to our terms and conditions.
These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.