According to the world bank, the fashion sector is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, which exceeds the combined emissions from international flights & maritime shipping. At this pace, the sector's greenhouse gas emissions will rise more than 50% by 2030. Hence, with these surging carbon emissions, the demand for eco-friendly materials is expected to significantly increase, which, in turn, would boost the market during 2021-26.

Moreover, the mounting penetration of social media results in increased awareness regarding the environmental impacts of the clothing industry, which shall also augment the market growth during the forecast years, further states the research report, Global Sustainable Clothing Market Analysis, 2021.

COVID-19 Outbreak Significantly Impacted the Global Sustainable Clothing Market

• Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic shutdowns generated unprecedented challenges for the clothing industry, including reduced consumer spending & disrupted supply chains.

• The pandemic affected the Global Sustainable Clothing Market, mainly due to international trade restrictions, disruptions in supply chain & logistics, order cancellations, and suddenly diminishing demand.

• However, the growing environmental awareness encouraging many consumers to switch to more sustainable & greener clothing choices shall positively impact the fashion sector.

• Moreover, sustainability is the new trend & more consumers are demanding it. For instance, according to a story posted on the UN's Environment Program website in June, the designer Nimco Adam, 'Queen of Tie-Dye,' realized during the pandemic that chemical dyes had severely impacted her health & the environment. It made her decide to make sustainability a part of her work ethic & life.

• Similarly, this awareness has influenced many consumers & businesses to opt for sustainable lifestyles.

Market Segmentation

By Material:

Of them all, the demand for Cruelty-Free Leather clothing is projected to witness significant rise during 2021-26. The imposition of stringent regulations regarding animal rights and the growing customer inclination toward animal-free products are driving the segment cited above.

Moreover, the rising awareness regarding vegan leather, surging funding in plant-based leather producing companies, and the ban on using leather derived from animals like crocodiles, snakes, and kangaroos by the fashion brands are other crucial factors expected to boost the segment. For instance: Beyond Leather Materials, a company that produces plant-based & eco-friendly alternatives to animal leather, raised a seed investment fund of USD1.31 million in 2020 to advance its production facilities.

Moreover, the climate neutrality targets set by the companies to surge vegan range for leather entwined with the launch of plant-based leather shall further lead Cruelty-Free Leather clothes to gain significant popularity during 2021-26. In 2020, Adidas 'renounced' animal fur and aims to achieve global climate neutrality by 2050.