Fashion & Climate: Brands Accused of Greenwashing & Worker Exploitation
Fashion brands like nike and H&M face accusations of climate greenwashing. A new report reveals a important failure to protect garment workers in Southeast Asia while the industry vows to cut carbon emissions, a key takeaway. The research shows these brands offer few “Just Transition” policies, leaving workers vulnerable to extreme weather and automation. The textile industry currently uses massive amounts of non-renewable resources. News Directory 3 notes the problem is worsened by job losses from technological advancements, disproportionately affecting women.Brands are urged to engage with workers to create a fairer industry. Discover what’s next for worker welfare and climate responsibility within the fashion industry.
Fashion Brands Face Scrutiny Over Climate Impact on Garment Workers
Updated June 11, 2025
Global fashion brands, including Hermes, nike, and H&M, are under fire for alleged climate greenwashing.Accusations stem from a failure to adequately address garment worker welfare in Southeast Asia while making pledges to cut carbon emissions. The region accounts for over half of global garment production.
The business & Human Rights Resource Center (BHRRC) released a report, “The Missing Thread,” analyzing 65 global fashion brands. It found that 44 had made public commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Though, none had adopted a “Just Transition” policy, a concept introduced at COP27 in 2022. A Just transition ensures workers are not left behind during the shift to a low-carbon economy.
The report indicated that only 11 companies acknowledged the climate-related impact on workers in their social and human rights policies. A mere four offered guidance on managing heat-related stress. Inditex, which owns Zara, and Kering, parent company of gucci, were the only two companies deemed most enterprising to mention worker welfare.
Natalie Swan, labor rights program manager at BHRRC, saeid that decarbonization without worker involvement is a “risky shortcut.”
The textile industry currently uses 98 million tonnes of non-renewable resources annually. Current trends suggest the fashion industry could account for over 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The report highlights the need for a just transition and greater climate responsibility.
Swan added, “The fashion industry’s climate targets mean little if the people who make its products are not taken into consideration. It’s not enough to go green. It has to be clean and fair.”
The effects of climate change are already impacting garment workers in Southeast Asia. Countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam have experienced extreme weather, including high temperatures and severe flooding. Workers in Bangladesh have reported fainting due to heat-related illnesses. Factories allegedly failed to provide adequate hydration or ventilation. Cambodia saw similar issues during a 2022 heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Automation also poses a threat. A third of workers reported job losses due to technological advancements. In Bangladesh’s garment sector, 30% reported job losses from automation. Female workers are disproportionately affected due to a lack of training and on-the-job learning opportunities.
What’s next
The BHRRC urges brands to engage with workers and trade unions to ensure a fairer, more resilient fashion industry. A just transition is seen as a critical prospect to protect worker rights, livelihoods, and safety amid climate change and industry shifts. The call for greater climate responsibility and a focus on worker welfare continues to grow.