Measuring Your Fashion Brand’s Environmental Impact
To be truly sustainable is to measure. If fashion businesses do not know where their biggest (negative) environmental impacts are, how can they fix them? Measurement is the foundation of meaningful sustainability. It allows us to move beyond empty promises and move towards accountability and progress. Data is power when you know what to do with it. By understanding your impact through credible, quantifiable metrics, your brand can make informed decisions, set realistic goals, and take real, targeted action. It’s not enough to say you care about the planet; you need to prove it with numbers and back it up with results.
That’s where metrics come in. Determining the right environmental indicators for your business, from carbon emissions to water use and chemical management enables you to pinpoint where change is most needed. These metrics don’t just serve reporting requirements; they guide your strategy, shape your supply chain decisions, and help you innovate more responsibly.
Fashion brands need real data to drive real change. So let’s dive into how to measure your brand’s impact and (just as importantly) what to do with the results.
Why Measure in the First Place?
Understand your true carbon footprint
Identify areas for improvement
Comply with reporting regulations
Attract eco-conscious consumers and investors
Avoid greenwashing with vague claims
What to Measure
Here are the most important environmental metrics in fashion:
Carbon Emissions (GHG)
Break it down by:Scope 1: Direct emissions (e.g. company cars)
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from energy
Scope 3: Supply chain, materials, logistics (often the biggest share!)
Water Use
Fashion is extremely thirsty. A lot to of water is used in dyeing fabric for example. You need to measure water use across materials (e.g. cotton), dyeing, and production processes.Chemical Use
Track toxic substances used in production. Consider certifications like Bluesign or OEKO-TEX.Waste & Recycling
How much waste are you producing, and where does it go? Are you designing for circularity?Biodiversity Impact
Are your raw materials contributing to deforestation, habitat loss, or soil degradation?
How to Measure It
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Analyses the full environmental impact of a product from raw material to disposal.
Higg Index: Industry-specific tool to measure environmental and social performance.
GRI, CDP, or B Corp frameworks: For broader sustainability reporting.
Custom Dashboards: Built for your brand’s unique footprint.
From Numbers to Action
Data without action is just noise. Once you have your metrics:
Set science-based, realistic targets
Prioritise hotspots (e.g. if 70% of your impact is in materials, focus there first)
Redesign products for lower impact
Engage suppliers in reducing emissions
Monitor progress regularly
How Aya Helps
Aya Sustainability turns messy data into meaningful strategy. We:
Conduct eco-audits and LCAs
Build dashboards and reports
Help you understand what’s working and what’s not
Guide your brand toward measurable, impactful sustainability goals
