The global fashion industry produces over 100 billion garments annually, with production doubling since 2000. The dominant business model – sometimes called "fast fashion" – relies on rapid turnover of styles, low prices, and high-volume consumption. Companies such as Shein, H&M, Zara, and Primark have built enormous commercial success on this model. However, the environmental impacts are severe: the industry accounts for approximately 4% of global carbon emissions, consumes vast quantities of water, generates chemical pollution, and produces an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually.
In recent years, various attempts have been made to "green" the industry through sustainable materials, circular business models, and efficiency improvements. This raises a critical question: can economic growth in fashion be decoupled from environmental degradation?
| Code | Content |
|---|---|
| HL.b.1 | Economics studies how humans produce, distribute and consume goods and services |
| HL.b.11 | Economic growth is the change in the total market value of goods and services; measured as GDP |
| HL.b.12 | Economic growth provides a linear economy that does not usually take into account waste and pollution |
| HL.b.13 | Economic growth has impacts on environmental welfare |
| HL.b.14 | Eco-economic decoupling is the notion of separating economic growth from environmental degradation |
Link to HL.b.12: Use these findings to explain why the fashion industry exemplifies a linear economy.