What: Textile Exchange urges fashion industry to adopt science-based targets for nature as only 7% of brands currently address biodiversity and ecosystem impacts in their sustainability strategies.

Why it is important: This gap in nature-focused targets reveals a critical blind spot in fashion's sustainability efforts, as recent EU regulations and market trends indicate that addressing biodiversity and ecosystem impacts is becoming mandatory for business continuity.

The fashion industry's approach to environmental sustainability requires a fundamental shift, according to Textile Exchange's latest initiative. While 52% of brands have established climate-focused targets, only 7% have implemented science-based targets for nature, highlighting a significant gap in addressing broader environmental impacts. The organisation emphasises that climate and nature are intrinsically linked, making it crucial for companies to consider both aspects in their sustainability strategies.

The initiative outlines key areas for brands to address, including resource reduction, preferred raw materials sourcing, regenerative agriculture, and responsible land management. This comprehensive approach requires companies to assess their nature-related impacts, prioritise areas of concern, and implement verifiable targets. While measuring progress presents challenges due to the context-specific nature of environmental impacts, Textile Exchange suggests starting with freshwater impacts and land management, particularly relevant to fashion's raw material production. The organisation's guidance aims to help companies navigate these complexities while aligning with global frameworks and incoming EU regulations.

IADS Notes: The urgency for fashion to address its environmental impact is underscored by significant industry developments throughout 2024 and early 2025. As reported in January 2025, BCG's analysis reveals that next-generation materials could reach 8% of the fibre market by 2030, offering a concrete path to reducing the industry's environmental footprint. This aligns with regulatory pressures, as evidenced by February 2025's EU crackdown on fast fashion, requiring companies to fund textile waste management and assume greater product liability. The industry's response has been mixed; while some leaders like Kering have formally adopted science-based targets for nature, Textile Exchange's 2024 Materials Benchmark survey shows only 7% of brands following suit. The challenge is compounded by supply chain complexities, with October 2024 reports highlighting the persistent exclusion of suppliers from sustainability decisions. However, the transformation is accelerating, driven by both regulatory pressure and market opportunities, as demonstrated by Technip Energies' ambitious entry into textile recycling, signaling a shift from sustainability initiatives to core business strategies.

Fashion is neglecting nature. Now what?