The Tamesis
Drink plenty of water. Exercise more consistently. Live more in the moment. New Year’s resolutions can help drive progress, but many of us make the same promises every year with little success.
Sustainable fashion is no different. when fashion business When we asked industry leaders and experts to share their hopes for 2026, their responses could easily have come from any previous year.
Still, the new year is an opportunity to reset and refocus, so here are five New Year’s resolutions for the fashion industry to make progress on sustainability. Maybe 2026 will be the year things finally change for good.
1. Invest in resilience
In 2025, sustainable fashion is defined by instability, from tariffs and regulatory shifts to extreme weather and supply chain disruptions. This will continue until 2026, pushing resilience higher on the corporate agenda. This is a significant reframing of sustainability strategy – rather than making changes on ethical grounds, sustainability teams now make the business case based on current and future risks and the rising costs of inaction.
“The macroeconomic environment will continue to be a headwind for many organizations, which means sustainable investments must demonstrate real value and resilience,” said Claire Bergkamp, CEO of the global not-for-profit Textile Exchange.
Exactly what resilience looks like depends on the business. Brands that rely heavily on natural materials may be prudent in investing in regenerative agriculture, protecting water supplies and supporting biodiversity through nature credits. Businesses operating in regions prone to geopolitical disruption will want to diversify their supply chains or deepen relationships with strategic suppliers. Others may prioritize supply chain transparency and traceability to eliminate any potential misconduct that could lead to reputational risk. No matter your level of resilience, it will be critical to coping with whatever 2026 brings.
Bergkamp added: “Companies that invest early in understanding their supply systems, recognize that there is no quick fix to success, and choose trusted standards and collective action as core strategies will be best positioned in the future.”
2. Better protect workers
As companies seek to protect profits, they should also do a better job of protecting their employees – a win-win for increased productivity, a happier workforce and greater upstream resilience. Kalpona Akter, a Bangladeshi union member and former children’s clothing worker, said there is a well-established road map in place.
“By 2026, the industry must prioritize legally binding agreements, enforceable labor rights, living wages and freedom of association; transitional frameworks to protect jobs and incomes; direct engagement with unions and workers’ organizations; and shared responsibility, rather than pushing costs onto supply chains,” she explained. “Without these shifts, sustainability will continue to fail those who make fashion possible. Change happens faster and more meaningfully when workers are organized, informed and protected.”
Dr. Hakan Karaosman, associate professor at Politecnico di Milano, said that while there has always been a need for better worker protection, the consequences of inaction are intensifying. Over the past year, his two distinct research directions have converged, revealing an increasing focus on fashion production. Garment workers face increasingly dangerous conditions – not least because of the sweltering heat – and a recent investigation into Italy’s luxury supply chain has shed new light on the challenges of working in fashion factories. These factors could drive potential workers away from fashion production—an existential threat for brands.
“The luxury goods industry relies on labor and craftsmanship, but there is a growing gap between its future skills requirements and the reality that younger generations are not interested in pursuing these jobs,” he said. “The fashion industry has long neglected its most important asset: talent. This must change.”
