Sustainability and digitisation are interrelated subjects. They belong closely together because no supply chain can improve on sustainability without measuring impacts, which requires digitisation. Digitisation is used to measure, monitor and report on criteria in different stages of the value chain, such as soil depletion, use of herbicides and pesticides, animal wellbeing, forest maintenance, (loss of) biodiversity, water and energy use, carbon emissions, working hours, living wage, waste management and circularity. 

As Fashion Revolution writes in its Fashion Transparency Index, the first step towards sustainability is transparency. Without knowledge of your value chain and the impacts that occur, there is no possibility to improve. Also in this case, digitisation enables professionals to measure impacts on workers, communities and the environment, to analyse them, find patterns and to implement improvements. In the tips below, some technologies are mentioned that can trace raw materials back to their source. 

The need for more transparency and sustainability in the apparel supply chain is obvious. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has reported that textiles are the fourth-largest cause of environmental pressure after food, housing and transport. A report by Mckinsey (2020) on consumer sentiment towards sustainability in fashion revealed that 57% of UK and German consumers have made significant changes to their lifestyles to reduce their environmental impact with 65%, making a commitment to purchase more durable fashion items.

The trend in the consumer market for sustainability is so strong, that the Austrian raw material manufacturer Lenzing Group has even decided to directly engage with end consumers via an e-shop. This web shop showcases over 200 products made of Tencel branded lyocell and modal fibre items online.