Huddersfield academic flying the flag for sustainable fashion

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has calculated that the fashion industry produces 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions every year and it is estimated to use around 1.5 trillion litres of water annually. 90% of the emissions caused by the fashion and textiles sector come from four processes: yarn preparation, fabric preparation, fabric production and dyeing and finishing.

Such statistics highlight the need for change and a sustainable fashion and textiles industry, and this has been recognised by the government. 

Professor Parik Goswami, Head of Department of Fashion and Textiles and Director of the Technical Textiles Research Centre at the University of Huddersfield, joined a prestigious event held at Downing Street on Wednesday 8 June 2022, hosted by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British Fashion Council. 

The event, attended by guests from across the fashion and textiles industry including designers, manufacturers and innovators, media, retailers and business leaders, as well as government and academia, celebrated the UK Fashion & Textile Association’s (UKFT) ambitious programme for sustainable fashion and textiles. 

Strengthening the links between academia and industry 

As the first academic to be appointed to the board of UKFT, Professor Parik Goswami’s passion for innovation, research and development, and sustainability continues to strengthen the links between the University of Huddersfield and the fashion and textile industry. 

“UKFT plays a very important role in the betterment of the UK fashion and textiles ecosystem, and we want our industries to have access to cutting-edge knowledge and a framework for commercialising state-of-the-art concepts and technology. Here at Huddersfield, we have a strong fashion and textiles heritage and by blending this heritage with cutting-edge research and development we are driving changes in the industry,” commented Professor Goswami.

World-leading fashion and textiles eco-system

UKFT has been working closely with the British Fashion Council (BFC), Innovate UK and other stakeholders to attract wide-ranging government support for a new 10-year Fashion Industry Sustainable Change Programme, focused on creating a world leading circular fashion and textiles eco-system in the UK.

Nigel Lugg OBE, Chair of UKFT, said: “This is a pivotal time for UK fashion and textiles. In order to survive and grow, it is essential that the sector strengthens its sustainable competitiveness. It will mean a fundamental change and one that needs to be delivered at pace and will call for new skills and new jobs. 

“We are delighted that the UK government is recognising the importance of our sector and the opportunities that exist. We look forward to working with the industry to drive a change with far-reaching benefits for the whole UK fashion and textile supply chain.” 

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, said: “The UK fashion industry is a big contributor to the economy and to brand Britain and I am delighted to support this brilliant industry as it moves forward with a 10-year Fashion Industry Sustainable Change Programme bringing opportunities across the UK to meet our Government Climate Action Plan of environmental and societal change.”