Sustainable supply chain management in the fast fashion Industry: A comparative study of current efforts and best practices to address the climate crisis

In 2018, the fashion sector was responsible for approximately 2.1 billion metric tons of GHG emissions, half of which were created by fast fashion. Fast fashion brands produce high volumes of synthetic, petroleum-based garments in developing countries, creating high levels of emissions and textile waste. In recent years, fast fashion leaders have adopted sustainability initiatives, including sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). However, even with current strategies in place, fast fashion is on a trajectory that will contribute to irreparable damage to the environment by 2030. The following study analyzes how fast fashion brands currently implement SSCM, identifies weaknesses in current initiatives, and outlines key actions brands can take to significantly reduce the environmental impact of their supply chains in the long term. To analyze SSCM in the fast fashion industry, this study compares the sustainability reports of H&M and Everlane, industry leaders with strong sustainability messaging. This comparison reveals that fast fashion has failed to sufficiently engage upstream and downstream stakeholders in their SSCM strategies. Moving forward, fast fashion companies should incentivize collaboration towards more comprehensive SSCM policies throughout the supply chain. To significantly reduce their impact, brands must invest in long-term decarbonization and energy infrastructure, engage with suppliers and consumers, and re-evaluate the design standard for products. If adopted at the industry level, these reforms will significantly mitigate fast fashion’s impact on the planet.