Unraveling Change: How Small Sustainability Efforts Can Transform the Textile Industry

So far, there aren’t many studies that connect small, specific projects with large-scale global systems or examine how different levels and processes interact. This paper uses a leverage points framework to explore how systems can be transformed. It looks at four sustainability efforts in the textile industry and examines how they fit into a larger network of connected systems. It also considers how these connections influence the ability of these efforts to create real change.

Systems onion(s) for sustainable ventures. The sustainable ventures (left) offer new ways of producing and consuming textiles, and thus represent a new, alternative system. They then work to attract consumers from the existing, dominant and unsustainable system

How Can Small Sustainability Efforts Transform the Textile Industry?

The textile industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental and social challenges worldwide, from pollution and waste to poor labor conditions. While sustainability efforts are growing, real change requires looking beyond small-scale interventions and understanding how they connect to larger systems—economic policies, business structures, and consumer behavior. This paper explores how targeted sustainability initiatives can drive system-wide transformations by identifying key leverage points—areas where change can have the greatest impact.

The Challenge of Scaling Up Sustainability Efforts

Most sustainability initiatives in the textile industry fall into two categories: small, local interventions (like eco-friendly fashion startups) and broad, global policy changes. However, a gap often exists between these levels, making it difficult for small efforts to create widespread impact. This study seeks to bridge that gap by analyzing four case studies in the textile sector and examining how they fit into broader, interconnected systems.

To illustrate these connections, the researchers use an onion metaphor, breaking the textile industry into layers:

• Core: The production system—factories, material sourcing, and manufacturing processes.
• Next Layer: The consumption system—retailers, consumers, and marketing strategies that shape buying habits.
• Outer Layer: The policy and regulation system—laws and guidelines that influence business practices.
• Outermost Layer: The economic system—markets, trade policies, and financial incentives that drive industry behavior.

Since these layers interact, even small changes in one area can create ripple effects across the entire industry.

Four Sustainability Interventions in the Textile Industry

The study examines four sustainability approaches and their potential to drive systemic change:

1. The German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles
   A multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together businesses, government agencies, NGOs, and labor unions to develop voluntary sustainability standards. While it promotes better production and consumption practices, its impact is limited by a lack of regulatory enforcement and participation from all companies.

2. Individual Change Agents in Textile Companies
   Managers and employees working within companies to push for sustainability in supply chains, materials, and labor practices. However, their influence is often restricted by company culture, financial constraints, and resistance from leadership.

3. Sustainable Fashion Ventures in Mexico
   Eco-friendly fashion entrepreneurs are developing a market for sustainable textiles using organic and upcycled materials while leveraging social media to reach consumers. Their challenge lies in competing with fast fashion giants and securing funding to scale up their businesses.

4. Sustainable Chemistry in Textile Production
   Efforts to reduce harmful chemicals in textile manufacturing, implement circular economy principles (such as recycling and reusing materials), and design environmentally friendly fabrics. While promising, this approach requires strong investment, better regulations, and widespread industry adoption to be effective.

Barriers to Systemic Change

Despite targeting important leverage points, these initiatives face significant challenges that limit their ability to drive large-scale transformation:

• Economic Constraints: The global economy prioritizes consumption-based growth, making it difficult for sustainability efforts to thrive when profit takes precedence over environmental and social responsibility.
• Regulatory Gaps: Weak or inconsistent policies across countries allow businesses to continue unsustainable practices without consequence.
• Cultural and Organizational Resistance: Traditional industry norms make it difficult for new business models and sustainability champions to gain traction.
• Lack of Resources and Support: Many small-scale sustainability efforts struggle due to limited financial, technical, and human resources.

How Can We Overcome These Challenges?

The study suggests two key strategies to drive meaningful change:

1. Creating Spillover Effects
   Small interventions can have a larger impact if they influence other parts of the system. For example, if sustainable fashion brands successfully shift consumer preferences, major companies may be forced to adopt similar practices to stay competitive.

2. Targeting Higher-Level Systems
   Sustainability efforts shouldn’t focus solely on production and consumption. They must also advocate for changes in economic policies and regulations. By influencing the broader framework governing the industry, these initiatives can create a more supportive environment for sustainable practices to thrive.

Conclusion: Thinking Bigger for a Sustainable Future

Sustainability in the textile industry requires more than isolated projects—it demands a systems-thinking approach. To achieve lasting change, efforts must go beyond surface-level solutions and focus on deep leverage points: shifting economic models, strengthening policies, and transforming cultural attitudes. By understanding how different layers of the system interact, we can design smarter strategies that move the textile industry toward a truly sustainable future.

Citation

Leventon, J., Buhr, M., Kessler, L. et al. Processes of sustainability transformation across systems scales: leveraging systemic change in the textile sector. Sustain Sci 19, 469–488 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-023-01436-8