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Blog series on climate impacts – Textile industry

textile industry climate impact

The discussion on climate change is linked with the textile industry in multiple ways. On the one hand, the raw material supply and the production of textiles cause greenhouse gas emissions, on the other hand, the treatment of textile waste remains an unresolved question in circular economy. There is an increasing pressure for textile sector companies to improve the level of managing the environmental responsibilities, including climate impacts.

The climate impact from the textile industry can be reduced

The environmental impacts of the textile sector are related to energy and water consumption and to the use of hazardous substances over the life cycle of the product. The main environmental aspects of textiles are the raw material supply, dying, finishing, and the energy and water consumption during use, caused by the washing, drying and ironing of the textiles.

The climate impact from the textile industry can be reduced in many ways. Energy consumption shall be reduced in all stages of the life cycle, especially in manufacturing and use. The textile waste shall be first avoided, and if it is not possible, it shall be recycled as raw material, or its energy content recovered. The amendment of the EU waste directive (2018/851) requires the Member States to set up separate collection for textile waste by year 2025. It is likely that it improves the availability of textile waste, yet the utilization of the textile waste as raw material can be challenging due to the mixture of various fibers. The recyclability can be taken into account already in the design of the textile product.

The challenges in climate change and responsible operations may encourage the textile companies to develop their operations. There are several examples of innovative use of recycled or waste material as raw materials for textiles and sales and repair services of used clothes. The aim of these actions can be to reduce raw material costs, to profile as a responsible brand, and to stand out as an environmentally friendly company.

It is not only the climate change that matters in the textile industry. It is strongly linked to other environmental impacts as well as social responsibilities. To identify the environmental and social hot spots in the textile industry, it is necessary to evaluate the entire chain of operations in terms of a wide view of corporate responsibilities. Such an evaluation may include the consumption of resources (water, energy, natural resources), labor conditions and occupational health and safety.

Ecobio´s experts help you

Ecobio’s experts assist you in measuring, evaluating and developing the environmental performance, including climate change impacts. Our experts can help you improve the material and energy efficiency of your operations. We can also help you in wide sustainability-related questions and reporting. If these topics are currently relevant for you, contact Ecobio’s experts for further discussion.

 

Contact information:

Leena Tähkämö

Senior consultant

Tel. 020 756 2301

leena.tahkamo@ecobio.fi

Ecobion asiantuntija Leena Tähkämö

Californian Trend: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tackles Energy Challenges

The Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference was held in San Francisco in April, 2018. The event chose to outline the key themes and potential challenges that are at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution. The revolution of our energy systems is one of the most impactful transformations of our time.

AI will shape the future of energy. It is a fact that globally our energy systems will change dramatically in the long run. Renewable energy production will be greatly expanded. Energy production will become decentralized and fragmented. Our homes and other forms of real estate will become both consumers and producers of energy simultaneously. Furthermore, the heating, cooling, lighting and security systems of our homes, offices and factories will be governed by smart devices connected to the energy grid.

The renewable energy system will need a high capacity of energy storage. This will mean the placing of both small and large batteries all around the energy grid. To manage this complicated system there will need to be a substantial collecting, handling and operating capacity for the vast amount of data and processes involved. Without the efficiency created through artificial intelligence, this change would not be possible.

Artificial Intelligence will help us manage environmental problems, too. In Ecobio, we re-imagine your environmental and health & safety management processes. We strive towards constant modernization of our services and provide you as our customer with the most advanced solutions. The Ecobio Manager regulation tracking and chemical database service is our flagship innovation. It helps you focus on more complex problems by automating your compliance tasks.

Are you aware of the corporate sustainability challenges that need to be solved. Please contact our development team: sanna.perkio@ecobio.fi.

Blog: Solar energy production demands both solar power and space to utilize it

Land availability is a limiting factor in the implementation of both solar and wind farms; as Richard Lancaster, CEO of CLP Holdings Limited pointed out in his lecture held at Stanford University. Richard himself, being a leader of a large energy company in Asia.

Renewable energy has paradoxes

Big cities are the largest consumers of energy, although they do not have the free land necessary to utilize renewable energy production. Where the strongest winds occur, no one lives. More space is needed in the production of wind power than solar power. In regions such as Silicon Valley, which holds a large volume of roof area along with enjoying a large amount of sun shine; there are advantages in utilizing solar powered energy production.

Whilst discussing an innovation concerning efficient land use, Richard also mentioned a successful project in which they connected solar production with culturing cultivating honeysuckle in the desert.  They collaborated with a local community of farmers in doing so. It was a win, win situation for all parties concerned: the energy producer, the farmers and the regional government.

Sanna Perkiö, 03/05/2018, Stanford