Sustainability reporting in the fashion industry - A tool towards environmentally and socially just textile production?

Abstract: The list of occupational and environmental hazards in the fashion industry is long. Chemicals used in production cause many harms to workers and the environment. Drawing on a content analysis of sustainability reports and a thematic analysis of interviews with key informants, this thesis investigates to what extent chemical hazards are measured and managed by companies and how actors perceive the role of sustainability reporting to address these and thereby create a more just textile production. Key findings are that there is an imbalance between environmental and occupational issues caused by chemicals and that the latter are often not adequately addressed in reporting. However, sustainability reporting and transparency can raise awareness on pressing justice issues, potentially creating the needed change. Furthermore, education, obligatory guidelines and strengthened corporate responsibility need to improve to realize the potential of sustainability reporting as a tool towards more environmentally and socially justice in textile production.