The problem with overproduction

Fashion is facing a crisis of excess. Helen White (BAM Clothing) highlighted how the industry has created a relentless cycle of overproduction, where clothing is treated as disposable rather than cherished. “A pair of jeans now costs the same as four cups of coffee,” she pointed out, questioning how we reached a point where fashion is valued so little.

At BAM, the journey to understanding sustainability took them all the way to the bamboo fields where their fibres are grown. This level of supply chain transparency is rare in an industry where tick-box compliance often takes precedence over true innovation. “Box-ticking regulation doesn’t leave room for real change,” Helen remarked, reinforcing the need for brands to go beyond compliance and actively reimagine their production models.

Fast fashion’s rising emissions

While brands are making more sustainability commitments than ever, the ultra-fast fashion industry continues to expand at an alarming rate. Scott Staniland highlighted a shocking statistic: Shein increased its profits by 30% last year, but its emissions rose by 80% in the same period. “The problem isn’t just that Shein exists,” he said, “it’s that the people who shouldn’t be buying it are the ones buying it.”

Anna Woods confirmed this with an insight about fast fashion consumers: the average Shein shopper is 35-45 years old, earning £65k a year. This contradicts the assumption that only younger, budget-conscious consumers are driving the fast fashion boom. “People do want to do the right thing,” she said, “but they haven’t been given the right alternatives.” The responsibility, she emphasised, lies with brands to offer better choices at scale.

Scott also challenged the fashion industry’s language around waste, stating: “It’s not dead stock—it’s just lost its value.” The way society views clothing dictates its fate, and unless brands and consumers redefine what they see as ‘waste’, circular solutions will remain underused.

The urgency of reuse and circularity

One of the most compelling arguments of the evening came from Lydia Bolton, who pointed out that 69% of emissions in fashion come from the manufacturing stage. This statistic underscores the crucial role of re-use, both for consumers and within brands themselves.

Lydia, along with other speakers, pushed for a greater focus on circular models—repair, resale, rental, and upcycling. She reiterated that fashion already has enough clothing to last six generations, and yet production continues at an unsustainable pace. By extending the life cycle of garments, brands can drastically cut emissions without waiting for regulatory mandates.

Sustainability and profitability can coexist

The notion that sustainability comes at a financial cost is outdated. Matt Paver (Carbon Responsible) shared that companies leading in sustainability often outperform financially. “All of the solutions we need exist today,” he said, “but we need systems, consumers, brands, politics, and finance to align to create effective change.”

Matt also reminded us that fashion is responsible for 10% of global emissions, alongside its enormous water and labour impacts. Yet, brands still hesitate to prioritise sustainability, fearing short-term costs over long-term gains. The data, however, shows that businesses embedding sustainable practices into their core strategy are the ones thriving.

Collaboration and systemic change are the path forward

The message from the evening was clear: fashion cannot continue on its current trajectory. While there are encouraging signs—high street retailers are making meaningful changes, innovation is booming, and consumer awareness is growing—the industry needs systemic shifts.

Helen highlighted the exciting intersection of science and fashion, emphasising that true innovation comes from cross-industry collaboration. Lydia echoed this, stating that fashion has endless potential for transformation—but only if brands fully embrace rethinking their business models.

Final thoughts

Last night’s event was a powerful reminder that sustainability is not just a challenge—it’s an opportunity. The solutions are there. The demand for change is real. Now, it’s about action. Carbon Responsible’s ability to provide clarity on emissions, can be at least one step forward.

At Carbon Responsible, we empower businesses to confidently drive real carbon reduction. We make carbon impact visible through expert-led measurement so that businesses can focus on reduction strategies.

A huge thank you to our inspiring speakers and engaged audience for such a thought-provoking discussion. We can’t wait for our next event and the opportunity to bring together so many more forward-thinking people.

If you’d like to talk to us about our carbon accounting solutions you can get in touch using our contact form.