Fashion
Carbon Literacy for Fashion
What is the Carbon Literacy® for the Fashion sector?
Carbon Literacy provides fashion professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of climate change, empowering them to mitigate their carbon impacts and drive sustainable practices within their organisations and beyond.
Various options are available for fashion sector students, professionals or organisations seeking Carbon Literacy training. This includes accessing a ready-made course tailored specifically for the fashion industry, such as the ‘Carbon Literacy Training for Fashion & Retail,’ an online course facilitated by industry experts.
Alternatively, you can develop and accredit bespoke training, or access support from freelance trainers and training providers with accredited courses who can support your Carbon Literacy goals. Our Fashion Sector Team can offer guidance on the best option for you. Read on for more information.
How Carbon Literacy Can Transform the Fashion Industry’s Climate Impact
The global fashion industry produces over 100 billion garments annually, accounting for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To limit global temperature increases, the industry must reduce emissions by at least 45%. Despite efforts, many companies have yet to fully integrate climate considerations into their design and production processes.
The sector’s commitment to sustainability is evident, with over 100 brands, retailers, and suppliers signing the UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, aiming for net zero emissions by 2050. However, leadership in driving meaningful change and empowering individuals across organisations is still lacking.
Carbon Literacy is crucial for decarbonising the fashion industry. By educating professionals on environmental impacts and equipping them with practical knowledge and tools, Carbon Literacy helps organisations build a culture of sustainability and drive positive change from within.
Courses
To get started with your Carbon Literacy journey, you can browse the available pathways below to help you find the most suitable option for your organisation.
Please click on each block below for more information.
Key Questions
Contact us at fashion@carbonliteracy.com and we will point you out to the most relevant Carbon Literacy course to attend for yourself or your organiation.
Everyone who delivers Carbon Literacy training should have their own Carbon Literacy certificate, and must attend our free 90-minute workshop, Delivering Successful Carbon Literacy, which can be booked here.
Absolutely! Carbon Literacy training is introductory – you don’t need a science degree to deliver the material. Carbon Literacy training is an amazing opportunity for learners to share their ideas and their own knowledge, and it’s ok for you to say, “I don’t know the answer to that question – but I can try and find out!”
If you’re not sure whether you should use a ready-to-use course, find a trainer to deliver training, or build your own course, get in touch at fashion@carbonliteracy.com and we can help you decide what’s right for you
Yes! Many employees (particularly younger employees) now want to work for employers who take sustainability action seriously, and Carbon Literacy training can help with both staff recruitment and retention.
Training staff with Carbon Literacy is a form of professional development, helping to engage, empower, and provide all members of the team with the agency and confidence to have a say in how your business can take meaningful climate action.
Educated employees become advocates for genuine engagement and action towards tangible net-zero goals. A study by Harvard Business Review found that companies with well-implemented sustainability education programs experienced a 50% reduction in environmental incidents and a 25% improvement in overall performance.
- In-Depth Understanding of Climate Change: Explore the relationship between climate change and the fashion industry. Learn about challenges, actionable solutions, and strategies to address them.
- Practical Skills for Sustainable Action: Gain practical skills and knowledge for reducing carbon footprints individually and professionally. This includes understanding major trends and implementing sustainable practices within your organisation.
- Empowerment to Lead Change: Equip yourself to lead in sustainability within your role, whether you re a designer, buyer, merchandiser, or involved in logistics, marketing, or finance. Learn to integrate sustainable practices into various aspects of the fashion industry.
- Actionable Plans for Real Impact: Develop plans and pledges to implement sustainability in your role and organisation. Engage in interactive sessions to apply what you’ve learned effectively.
- Networking and Collaboration Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals and build a network committed to sustainable fashion. Collaborate and share ideas for a collective impact.
- Certification in Carbon Literacy: Earn certification in Carbon Literacy, demonstrating your commitment and knowledge in this crucial area. Use this certification to enhance your credibility and influence within the sustainable fashion sector.
Fashion in Action
Carbon Literacy for Fashion: Progress & Next Steps
Read more about the progress of Carbon Literacy for Fashion and our next steps.
Fashioning a Sustainable Future
Discover insights into why the Fashion Industry needs Carbon Literacy training and what's coming next.
Climate Change & Fashion Waste Colonialism
Read about the relationship between climate change and fashion waste.
Fast Fashion’s Carbon Footprint
Find out about the impact fast fashion is having on your carbon footprint and how to reduce it.
“The course was eye-opening and thought-provoking but really highlighted why this is so important to make a better future for our children and world.”
- Fashion Learner
“Passionate and engaging course, with a great format and discussion breakout rooms for participation, giving valuable insights across different sectors of the industry.”
– Gary Griffiths, Fulfillment Manager, Rat & Boa
“I think it is a great introduction to understanding CO2 and its effect on the planet. The information is delivered in an accessible way and it is made relevant by the changes highlighted in our everyday lives. It makes you want to talk to people about it afterwards and motivate change.”
- Fashion Learner
“The course broke down some of the complexities of climate change that I didn’t know such as what gases cause which problems and for how long they are active. How we can make a difference in work and our daily lives is a good basic overall knowledge to stimulate awareness”
- Fashion Learner
"I highly recommend the Carbon Literacy Training for anyone in the fashion sector looking to understand and reduce their organisation’s carbon footprint. It stands out as a beacon of practical knowledge, guiding participants through the essential steps towards achieving not just regulatory compliance but also paving the way for innovative, sustainable practices that align with global environmental goals.”
– Daria Brazhnyk, Sustainable Supply Chain Coordinator & DMU Fashion Students
“Inclusive space for learning and developing ideas”
- Fashion Learner
“A brilliant course, thoroughly enjoyed the format and discussion breakout rooms. Passionate participants meant lots of valuable insights from across industries. Highly recommend.”
– Chet Patel, Fashion Learner
“It is an amazing course to understand our carbon footprint and what to do to reduce impacts.”
- Fashion Learner
“Participating in the training was an enriching experience. It emphasised the urgency for action, and we’re proud to be early adopters committed to making impactful changes.”
– Maria Roldan, Social Media Assistant, Rat & Boa
“Excellent way to build more knowledge on carbon footprint and the effects of climate change, as well as how you can reduce your own and help others to do the same. A good intro if you know nothing about the subject.”
- Fashion Learner
“Completing the Carbon Literacy Training for Fashion SMEs was an incredibly transformative experience for me, both professionally and academically. The course meticulously explained the complexities of climate change, offering practical insights and strategies for businesses keen to play a part in mitigating its effects. The training provided me with the knowledge to address carbon footprint reduction within small to medium-sized enterprises and also ignited a passion that led to the foundation of my dissertation topic, ‘How fashion brands can achieve carbon neutrality.’ Inspired by the course, my research aims to explore the implementation of the discussed approaches on a larger scale, thereby contributing to the broader narrative of environmental sustainability in fashion."
– Daria Brazhnyk, Sustainable Supply Chain Coordinator & DMU Fashion Students
“We all play an important part in preventing climate change. The more knowledge the more chance we stand of creating change”
- Fashion Learner
Interested?
For any enquiries relating to Carbon Literacy for Fashion please send us an email at fashion@carbonliteracy.com, including the following information:
- Your organisation name and email address
- Why you are interested in Carbon Literacy for Fashion