Sustainable Development Goal: Sustainable Management and Use of Natural Resources in Textile and Apparel Industry

Abstract

AbstractThe United Nations has envisaged a sustainable development plan for the year 2030 which initiates 17 sustainability development goals (SDGs) with objectives that promote all round development. This forum encourages contributions from all sectors—governments, industrial, civil organizations, public and private sectors—as opportunities for the fulfillment of these goals. The textile and fashion industries have been very popular in the extensive use of natural resources accompanied by waste and waste products that tend to pollute the environment causing hazards to the living organisms in the planet. Businesses and brands in the textile and apparel sector are earnestly working on aligning their production and management on the basis of sustainability, the pinnacle being the sustainability development goals. This chapter deals with the sustainable management and effective use of natural resources (SDG 12—Target 12.2)—water, energy and soil for the development of sustainable textile fibers and certification methodologies for sustainable reporting (SDG 12—Target 12.6). This can be achieved by sound management of chemicals and wastes occurring in the production cycle or life cycle of a product (SDG 12—Target 12.4). Green productivity in sustainable manufacturing calls for improved resource efficiency and waste reductions by implementing a cleaner manufacturing strategy. The specialized long value chain of the textile and fashion industry is poised to address the sustainability challenge to achieve the economic, social and environment development goals.