Key Sustainability Metrics Your Fashion Business Needs to Prepare for in 2025

The fashion industry is at a crossroads. As one of the most resource-intensive sectors, it faces mounting pressure to adopt sustainable practices from regulators, consumers, and industry stakeholders alike. Sustainability has shifted from being a competitive advantage to an operational necessity. It’s no longer about meeting minimal compliance requirements but about fundamentally rethinking how fashion businesses operate—from the materials they use to the transparency they offer. 

Consumers, particularly younger generations, are demanding more accountability from brands. They want to know the environmental and social impact of their purchases. Meanwhile, governments worldwide are enacting stricter regulations, such as the European Union’s Green Deal, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and fostering circular economies. These trends make it clear: businesses that prioritize sustainability will not only survive but thrive in this new fashion landscape. 

This guide outlines 10 essential sustainability metrics your fashion business needs to master to stay ahead in 2025.

Why It Matters 

The fashion industry contributes about 10% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually. Reducing your carbon footprint isn’t just a responsibility; it’s a way to future-proof your business against tightening emissions regulations and climate-conscious consumers. 

How to Measure 

Assess emissions across your supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to retail operations: 

• Upstream emissions: Farming, chemical treatments, or synthetic production. 
• Production: Energy usage during manufacturing. 
• Distribution: Transportation from factories to stores or customers. 
• Retail and offices: Day-to-day energy consumption. 

Tools to Use 

• Higg Index: Measures carbon impact and other sustainability metrics. 
• Carbon tracking calculators designed for the apparel sector. 

Example in Action 

Patagonia has long been a leader in carbon transparency, measuring and reducing emissions across its supply chain. They prioritize renewable energy and optimize logistics to reduce transportation emissions. 

Why It Matters 

Textile production, especially for water-intensive materials like cotton and other natural fibers, consumes vast amounts of water. The resulting strain on water resources in vulnerable regions creates an urgent need for conservation strategies. 

How to Measure 

Monitor water consumption during: 

• Raw material sourcing: For example, traditional cotton farming. 
• Dyeing and finishing: Key stages that require significant water usage. 
• Wastewater treatment: Ensure wastewater is treated before release. 

Tools to Use 

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools help you evaluate water use across a product’s lifecycle. 

Example in Action 

Levi’s Water<Less® technology has saved over 3 billion liters of water by refining their denim production processes. 

Why It Matters 

Circularity is about designing fashion products with their end-of-life in mind. Instead of contributing to the estimated 92 million tons of textile waste generated annually, circular practices create a system where products are reused, recycled, or upcycled. Circularity minimizes resource extraction, reduces environmental pollution, and fosters sustainable consumption patterns. 

How to Measure 

Key metrics include: 

• Percentage of products designed for recyclability or upcycling. 
• Volume of materials recaptured through take-back or repair programs. 
• Number of collaborations with recyclers and upcycling partners. 
• Rate of adoption for closed-loop production systems. 

Tools to Use 

• Circularity assessment tools to evaluate product lifecycle impacts. 
• Platforms that connect brands with textile recyclers and repair networks. 

Example in Action 

H&M’s Garment Collecting Program incentivizes customers to return old clothing, which is then recycled into new textiles or donated. This program exemplifies a scalable approach to circularity. 

Why It Matters 

As consumers grow more concerned about labor conditions, ensuring fair wages, safe environments, and ethical practices across your supply chain is vital. Brands that fail to meet these expectations face reputational and legal risks. 

How to Measure 

Conduct audits to evaluate: 

• Worker wages compared to living wage benchmarks. 
• Safety and working conditions in factories. 
• Supplier compliance with labor standards. 

Certifications and Audits 

• Fair Trade Certified 
• Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) 
• Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audits (SMETA) 

Example in Action 

Everlane uses a Transparency Index to disclose the labor conditions in every factory it partners with, offering customers a clear view of ethical practices. 

Why It Matters 

The materials you use define your environmental impact. Non-biodegradable synthetics like virgin polyester and conventionally grown cotton are resource-intensive and environmentally harmful. Transitioning to recycled or alternative materials can reduce your footprint and align with global sustainability goals. 

How to Measure 

Calculate the percentage of sustainable materials in your product lines. Qualify materials as sustainable based on certifications like: 

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for organic fabrics. 
• Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) or Global Recycled Standard (GRS) for recycled fibers. 
• Reduction of virgin polyester usage in favor of recycled polyester or bio-based alternatives. 

Tools to Use 

• Inventory tracking systems with sustainability tags for materials. 

Example in Action 

Dopeskillbrand, a street fashion brand, prioritizes environmentally friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester, reducing environmental impact while maintaining style and quality. Major brands like Adidas are also phasing out virgin polyester, committing to using 100% recycled polyester in their products by 2024. 

Why It Matters 

Energy usage, especially from non-renewable sources, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Adopting energy-efficient practices lowers your carbon footprint and operational costs. 

How to Measure 

Track: 

• Total energy usage in kilowatt-hours. 
• Percentage of energy from renewable sources. 

Tools to Use 

• Energy management systems for manufacturing facilities. 
• Renewable energy certificates to offset non-renewable consumption. 

Example in Action 

The Kering Group (parent company of Gucci and many other luxury brands) leads the way with an environmental profit and loss statement that tracks energy consumption. Many of their brands have transitioned to 100% renewable energy in production facilities. 

Why It Matters 

Building a community around sustainability fosters loyalty and promotes eco-conscious behavior among your customer community. Consumers increasingly expect brands to educate and involve them in sustainable initiatives. 

How to Measure 

Track participation in: 

• Recycling or take-back programs. 
• Events like repair workshops. 
• Social media engagement on sustainability campaigns. 

Example in Action 

Patagonia’s Worn Wear program educates customers on clothing repair and offers incentives for reusing products. This initiative not only reduces waste but also deepens customer trust and loyalty. 

Why It Matters 

Consumers are demanding more visibility into how their clothes are made. A commitment to transparency can differentiate your brand and earn consumer trust. 

How to Measure 

The Fashion Transparency Index offers a standardized way to evaluate and disclose your progress. Metrics include: 

• Supplier disclosures. 
• Published reports on sustainability goals. 
• Visibility into production processes. 

Example in Action 

Adidas consistently ranks high on the Fashion Transparency Index by publicly sharing supplier lists and updates on sustainability progress.

Why It Matters 

Packaging is often overlooked, yet it contributes significantly to the overall environmental impact of fashion products. Single-use plastics and non-recyclable materials increase waste and harm ecosystems. Minimizing packaging waste aligns with sustainability goals and appeals to eco-conscious consumers. 

How to Measure 

Track: 

• Volume of packaging used per product. 
• Percentage of recycled or biodegradable materials in packaging. 
• Consumer participation in packaging return or recycling programs. 

Tools to Use 

• Packaging lifecycle analysis tools. 
• Supplier audits to ensure sustainable materials. 

Example in Action 

Reformation uses compostable bags and recycled paper for shipping materials, drastically reducing packaging waste. 

Why It Matters 

The use of hazardous chemicals in dyes, treatments, and finishes poses risks to worker safety, environmental health, and consumer well-being. Addressing chemical usage is critical for compliance with regulations such as REACH and ZDHC guidelines. 

How to Measure 

Track: 

• Volume and type of chemicals used in production. 
• Compliance with restricted substance lists (RSLs). 
• Effectiveness of wastewater treatment systems. 

Tools to Use 

• Chemical management platforms (e.g., Bluesign or ZDHC Gateway). 
• Wastewater monitoring tools. 

Example in Action 

Stella McCartney adheres to strict chemical management protocols, ensuring safer production processes and reducing the environmental impact of dyes and finishes. 

Regulatory Compliance 

Stay ahead of evolving legislation aimed at reducing environmental and social harm. 

Consumer Trust 

Sustainability-conscious consumers are more likely to support brands that actively address their environmental and social impact. 

Cost Savings 

Efficient energy use, water conservation, and waste reduction often result in lower operational costs. 

Brand Differentiation 

Demonstrating measurable progress in sustainability helps position your brand as a leader in responsible fashion. 

Not sure how to begin your sustainability journey? Start small and scale up. Brands new to sustainability should avoid tackling all metrics at once. 

Steps to Start 

• Audit Your Current Practices: Evaluate where your business stands on key metrics like carbon emissions, material use, and waste generation. 

• Set Measurable Goals: Define specific, time-bound targets for each metric, such as increasing your sustainable materials ratio to 50% by 2025. 

• Build Supplier Relationships: Collaborate with suppliers to access more sustainable materials and processes. 

• Leverage Tools & Technologies: Use platforms like the Higg Index to track progress. 

• Communicate Progress: Transparency is key—use your website, social media, and product tags to inform consumers about your initiatives and achievements. 

Embracing sustainability metrics such as the ones listed above can help your business align with global environmental goals, deepen consumer trust, and drive long-term profitability. In an industry undergoing profound transformation, sustainable practices are not just an ethical choice but a strategic imperative for future success. 

To further accelerate your sustainability journey, consider leveraging solutions like WFX’s Supply Chain Traceability platform. With advanced tools to monitor and optimize every stage of your supply chain, WFX empowers brands to meet compliance standards, enhance transparency, and strengthen their competitive edge.