Sustainable textile sector can help in reducing carbon emissions

07 Dec '09

6 min read

“A sustainable textile industry can help a long way in reducing carbon emissions and eradicating poverty.” said Shailini Sheth Amin, Founder and CEO of MORALFIBRE. It is an internationally recognised social enterprise that is promoting 'almost carbon neutral' and socially sustainable fabrics in India and abroad.

The Indian govt. has agreed to fully support the reduction of carbon footprint at the Copenhagen Meet on climate change starting from 7th Dec 09. We have agreed to become a part of the solution rather than the problem. India's total emissions are the fourth-largest in the world, after the United States, China and Russia, though its per capita footprint remains as low as 1.2 tons annually, compared to 20 tons in the United States and the world average of 4 tons.

The very low Carbon Footprint is also a measure of the poor living condition of people. India has, in fact, bigger challenges. They are in the field of creating social sustainably and equality. Why India is prospering and Indians do not? More than 86 billion people in India, even today live in abject poverty. The solutions lie at the grassroots level and in the villages

Indian Textile Industry is the second largest provider of employment after agriculture. It is also considered one of the lower paying industries, especially in the unorganised sector which is in the majority. It provides direct employment to over 33.17 million people with a total market size of US $52 billion. Market size potential for the industry is envisaged at USD 110 billion by 2012. This would create 12 million job opportunities.

INDIA HAS TO FULFILL ITS FUNDAMENTAL SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY- WITH OR WITHOUT GLOBAL PRESSURE.
“We believe that new growth in the textile industry can be achieved without costing our natural resources and harming the environment and by including the well being of millions of people who are working in the industry. By promoting the textile industry in an environmentally and socially committed way, India can emerge as a world leader - increase its respectability and its market share globally.“ says Amin.

TRANSPARANCY IS THE KEY.
The inherent transparency of Sustainability Principles and guidelines help create environmental and social sustainability and equality. It encourages tracing the roots of each product and process from farmers, to spinners, weavers, dyers, printers and to manufacturer as well as traders and what happens to people and its impact to the environment in the process. The textile industry can take a lead in becoming a clean and fair trade industry which will help millions of workers in the textile industry living a life of dignity and well being.

We do not have to far to see a success story. Sri Lanka, in a short period of time has shown a remarkable readiness for ethical commerce. Their 'Garmentswithout Guilt' programme encapsulates the one million-strong Sri Lankan workforces' mission and pledge to create world-class apparel products under globally set ethical business standards. Whilst the program builds global recognition for the Sri Lankan Apparel , the industry recently launched the Abhimani program, aimed at building a sense of pride and ownership towards what they do best, and do ethically.

More Textiles News - India...