This report delves into the environmental sustainability of South Africa’s textile value chain, with a focus on the manufacturing components of the value chain. The aim is to inform the sector’s path towards climate compatibility. It provides a description of, and introduction to, South Africa’s textiles value chain, with an emphasis on manufacturing activities in the country as well as a brief introduction to the main environmental impacts associated with South Africa’s textiles manufacturing sector.
The report then provides a set of proposed interventions to set South Africa’s textiles value chain on a climate-compatible and sustainable pathway. These mitigation options focus on the manufacturing component of the value chain, or interventions that will directly impact and enhance manufacturing practices in the country. These include: reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and improving water management; optimising manufacturing energy efficiency and consumption; fibre-to-fibre recycling; reducing single-use sanitary wear; adopting clothing and footwear leasing models; and increasing the second-hand clothing market.
This is followed by a proposed action plan for how these interventions can be packaged and rolled out to decarbonise the South African textiles value chain. This is set within the context of and considering the implementation of the South African Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather Value Chain Master Plan to 2030
Report Updated October 2022
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