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Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Indian Textiles and Apparel Industry with Tiruppur Case Study

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1. Overview of the Indian Textiles andApparel Industry’s Emissions

The Indian textiles and apparel industrycontributes significantly to the national economy, employing over 45 millionpeople and contributing 2% to GDP. However, it is also a substantial source ofgreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the Ministry of Textiles, thesector contributes approximately 8-10% of India’s total industrial emissions,driven by energy-intensive processes such as dyeing, printing, and chemicalprocessing.

Key factors contributing to emissionsinclude:

  • Energy consumption: Predominantly     powered by coal-based electricity in many regions.
  • Water usage: Excessive use of water     for dyeing and finishing leads to energy consumption for pumping, heating,     and treatment.
  • Chemical waste: Inefficient     management of dyes and chemicals increases pollution levels in local water     and air systems.

2. High Pollution Impacts in Textilesand Apparel

The environmental impacts of emissions inthe sector are stark. For instance:

  • Air Pollution: Factories release     significant quantities of CO2, NOx, and SO2 due to reliance on     non-renewable energy sources.
  • Localized Environmental Degradation:     In regions like Ludhiana and Surat, unchecked emissions and untreated     effluents have degraded air and water quality, adversely affecting local     ecosystems and public health.
  • Global Climate Impact: Given     India’s large share of textile exports, the carbon footprint of products     contributes to global warming, making it a global as well as local issue.     This is of particular interest as there is significant global legislation     such as Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Ecodesign for     Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) which are targeting supply chain     emissions, which has a direct impact on the growth of the industry in     India.

3. Strategic Importance ofDecarbonization in the Textiles Sector

  • Net Zero Commitment: India’s 2070     Net Zero Pathway outlines ambitious targets for decarbonization.     Decoupling economic growth from emissions in high-impact sectors like     textiles is crucial to achieving this vision.
  • Global Competitiveness: As India     aspires to become a developed nation by 2046, the textile industry’s     global market share depends on its sustainability preparedness.
  • Consumer Expectations: With rising     environmental awareness, consumers increasingly demand sustainable     products. Government action to reduce climate impacts in textiles can     bolster domestic and export market confidence.

4. Tiruppur: A Model for SustainableTransformation

Tiruppur, India’s knitwear hub, exemplifieshow proactive measures can reduce the environmental footprint of textiles. Asdetailed in independent textile decarbonization company Green Story and TiruppurExporter’s Association (TEA’s) collaborative white paper, the followinginitiatives have driven meaningful change in the region:

  • Renewable Energy Integration:     Adoption of wind and solar energy has significantly reduced dependence on     fossil fuels. The local government and industry associations have provided     incentives and technical support to accelerate this transition.
  • Collaborative Industry Efforts:     Localized partnerships between industry stakeholders have enabled     collective investments in clean technology and infrastructure. The     industry there has also been proactively educated itself to learn more     about decarbonization and sustainability. A case in point is the ongoing     educational seminars conducted by Green Story in the region on product     carbon footprint.
  • Economic and Environmental Outcomes: The adoption of sustainable practices in Tiruppur has not only     reduced its environmental impact but has also improved operational     efficiencies. Factories have reported lower energy and water costs, and     brands sourcing from Tiruppur now have a competitive edge in global     markets due to their sustainability credentials.

Tiruppur’s transformation has resulted inmeasurable benefits, including a 50% reduction in water consumption and a 40%decrease in GHG emissions per unit of production. It demonstrates the potentialof structured, cooperative approaches to achieving sustainability.

5. Applicability of the Tiruppur ModelNationwide

The success of Tiruppur can serve as ablueprint for decarbonization initiatives across India. Green Story believesthat these principles can be scaled up and the following outcomes areachievable:

  • Decentralized Renewable Energy Adoption: Expanding renewable energy infrastructure to other textile hubs     such as Surat, Jaipur, and Ludhiana can significantly reduce carbon     emissions. Government subsidies for renewable energy installations and     favorable tariff policies can accelerate adoption.
  • Strengthening Policy Frameworks: Enforcing     stricter environmental regulations, offering financial incentives for     clean technology, and setting measurable sustainability targets for     industries can create a conducive environment for change. For example,     extending tax benefits or grants for industries investing in     sustainability initiatives can drive widespread adoption.
  • Capacity Building and Training: Conducting     workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns can equip industry     workers and managers with the knowledge and skills required to implement     sustainable practices effectively. Tiruppur’s success story can be used as     an educational case study.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Establishing PPPs to co-develop infrastructure, such as shared     renewable energy facilities or centralized effluent treatment plants, can     reduce the financial burden on individual businesses. PPPs also promote     transparency and accountability in sustainability projects, including     traceability and granular product level tracking of footprint.
  • International Trade Preparedness: Enabling     companies to provide information such as product level carbon footprint     and decarbonization pathways to reduce risk of fines or loss of export     income.

Green Story’s analysis highlights how suchmeasures could lead to a 25-30% reduction in GHG emissions across major textilehubs, aligning with India’s sustainability goals, and derisk exports, aligningwith the country’s growth goals.

6. Leveraging Product Carbon Footprintand Ground Data

Real-time, data-driven insights areessential for identifying key intervention areas. Green Story’s experienceshows that product carbon footprint assessment can:

  • Identify high-impact processes and recommend targeted     emission-reduction strategies.
  • Enable companies to track progress and report on emissions     transparently.
  • Support policymakers in designing regulations that incentivize     best practices while addressing critical bottlenecks.

7. About Green Story’s Expertise on theMatter

Green Story has been driving sustainabilityinitiatives globally by enabling brands to measure and reduce their carbonfootprint. From pioneering data solutions to fostering industry-widecollaborations, Green Story’s contributions highlight that achieving ambitiousdecarbonization targets is both feasible and impactful with the right support.

By leveraging data, industry expertise, andsuccess models like Tiruppur, Green Story’s experience shows that actionableinsights and practical strategies can drive sustainable transformation inIndia’s textiles and apparel industry.

References

  1. Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. (https://texmin.nic.in/)
  2. Green Story and TEA Collaborative White Paper on Tiruppur’s     Achievements. (https://www.greenstory.io/blogs/showcasing-sustainability-green-story-and-teas-collaborative-white-paper-on-tiruppurs-achievements)
  3. International Energy Agency: India’s pathway to net zero by     2070. (https://www.iea.org/reports/achieving-net-zero-in-india)
  4. Reports on Sustainable Practices in Global Textile Hubs by     McKinsey & Company. (https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights)
  5. World Resources Institute: Data on India’s emissions by sector.     (https://www.wri.org/data/india-greenhouse-gas-emissions)
  6. Centre for Science and Environment: Reports on Zero Liquid     Discharge in India. (https://www.cseindia.org/)

 

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