The most obvious function of clothing is to protect our bodies from the cold, wind, rain or the sun. But above all, clothes let us express ourselves: they reveal what job we do, our favourite team or the music we like. Unfortunately, our love of clothes comes at a huge environmental cost.
The textiles sector, which includes clothing, has the fourth highest impact on the environment and climate change, after food, housing and transport. The sector has a huge potential to save energy, water, land and other resources, to reduce waste and pollution, and to help fight against climate change. This vision of transformation, as well as specific actions needed to make it a reality, is the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. Changes in textiles and the fashion industry will involve everyone: designers, producers, retailers and consumers – and you.