[In depth] Is sustainability out of fashion?

More and more fashion companies are adjusting their climate goals or abandoning CSR projects. Is sustainability passé in a social and political landscape that sets other priorities? Or are phenomena such as “greenhushing” clouding the picture?

“Morale is low”

“Morale is low,” was the sentiment at the annual meeting of Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, which represents 40% of the global apparel industry. After all, the list of companies that have watered down their sustainability goals is growing: Asos and Crocs abandoned their climate plans in 2023, and Nike cut a third of its sustainability team in 2024. Walmart also missed its emissions targets, and Under Armour announced this summer that it would no longer reaffirm its targets for 2030 and 2050.