Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Indian Textiles and Apparel Industry with Tiruppur Case Study
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
- Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. (https://texmin.nic.in/)
- 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)
- International Energy Agency: India’s pathway to net zero by 2070. (https://www.iea.org/reports/achieving-net-zero-in-india)
- Reports on Sustainable Practices in Global Textile Hubs by McKinsey & Company. (https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights)
- World Resources Institute: Data on India’s emissions by sector. (https://www.wri.org/data/india-greenhouse-gas-emissions)
- Centre for Science and Environment: Reports on Zero Liquid Discharge in India. (https://www.cseindia.org/)