Sustainability criticisms against the fashion and apparel industry are increasing. In this period, new expectations were added to similar views that fast fashion wastes the resources of our world and that production in distant geographies causes cheap labor exploitation. Consumers are increasingly demanding clothes that are produced in their own country and that respect nature and society. Organizations that do not do this are protesting. The ready-to-wear industry is gigantic, with 300 million people and a global volume of 2.4 trillion dollars. Turkey ranks 7th in the world among the top 10 ready-made clothing exporters and 3rd in Europe. On the other hand, developed European countries aim to reduce their carbon emissions by 50 percent until 2030 and to zero their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 within the framework of the Green Deal. In our country, there are companies that are engaged in sustainability activities in the textile and ready-made clothing sector and have pressed the button for green production;

Companies participating in the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals-ZDHC) certification program, which ensures that textile chemicals are evaluated and promoted within the scope of 'Zero Hazardous Waste', are audited by international organizations and their performance in industrial production, environment and human health is measured and announced to the public. Thus, the conformity checks and tests of the chemicals on the list of restricted substances in production are completed and approved.

10% of carbon emissions come from the apparel industry. Improvements should be made in areas such as raw materials, production processes, improvement of working conditions, reduction of water consumption, replacement of chemical substances, efficient cotton (cotton production in accordance with BCI requirements) and fiber production, waste management.

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is an initiative created to help millions of farmers around the world produce cotton in healthier conditions. It is a non-profit program that aims to create a multidimensional benefit cycle such as efficient use of water, protection of soil health, fair, balanced and inclusive functioning of production processes.

Within the framework of the Green Agreement, there will be changes in the dynamics of the sector in line with the expectations of large buyers in European countries, as the actual tax applications will start in 2026 in the sector, which is still in the transition process. We will work with suppliers that have achieved sustainable production standards such as reducing emissions by leaving fossil fuel, using more scrap and recycled inputs, using water efficiently, renewing technologies and environmentally friendly production.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which gives certification in 64 countries around the world, especially in England, Germany, Japan and America, announced that 519 companies from Turkey have received GOTS certification. We rank third in the world after India and Bangladesh, and second in organic cotton production.

It has the potential to rapidly increase the market share of companies operating in the textile industry and ready-made clothing sector in the new conditions created by the pandemic. Thanks to its strength in the textile industry, designers and modern retail infrastructure, it can become Europe's largest supplier. In addition, in this process, it can stand out with its own strong brands. Our companies should give priority to the annual reports of the United Nations' Development Goals, and start planning the steps that will fulfill the requirements of sustainable production in order to adapt to competition.