As one of the world’s largest textile exporters, the Indian garment industry has long been under scrutiny for its significant environmental impact, including chemical use, pollution, and high-water consumption. There’s increasing pressure to become more sustainable, so the sector can meet the needs of brands and conscious consumers, and remain competitive in an increasingly regulated global market. As a result, a shift is gradually taking place among manufacturers and consumers across India.

Indian textile manufacturers, and particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often face significant barriers when trying to transition to more responsible production. These include a lack of knowledge about sustainable practices, financial constraints, lack of access to certification, and difficulties in finding vendors with the necessary skills and tools. To help overcome these obstacles, Fairtrade India, the Center for Social Markets (CSM) and the Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) jointly launched the Sustainability Clinic in August 2024. It is funded as part of the EC Switch Asia-funded project ‘Switching to Green & Fair Fashion: Advancing sustainable production and consumption in cotton & textile value chains in India.’

This Fashion Revolution Week, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the Sustainability Clinic’s progress and impact.

Supporting smaller business

The clinic offers SMEs tailored guidance, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to adopt sustainable practices. From Mondays to Fridays, the free helpline connects manufacturers with industry experts and technical solution partners to address specific sustainability questions.

Abhishek Jani, CEO of Fairtrade India and CSM, explains, “Our commitment is to empower textile manufacturers to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices. The Sustainability Clinic is an extension of our efforts to help businesses embrace sustainability while remaining economically viable.”

The clinic offers expert advice on key challenges such as carbon emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, waste management, wastewater management, and chemical safety. The aim is to work with small and medium producers to reduce their environmental impact and be able to meet international sustainability standards. The Sustainability Clinic goes beyond a helpline – its services also include training, workshops and webinars for MSMEs, as well as connecting manufacturers with a network of solution providers and green finance schemes, and other services.

Local expertise

The partnership with the Tirupur Exporters Association has been essential in ensuring that the Sustainability Clinic meets the unique needs of local businesses. The clinic was launched in textiles hub Tamil Nadu as a pilot initiative. As the region faces significant sustainability challenges, the aim is to scale sustainable practices across it. Since its launch, the clinic has received more than 40 inquiries and connected 176 manufacturers with industry experts and vendors.

Mr. Karthik K, Sustainability Manager at Poppy’s Knitwear, expressed his satisfaction with the prompt service provided by the Sustainability Clinic: "The Sustainability Clinic is an incredible initiative that is supporting Tirupur manufacturers by addressing sustainability-related queries in local languages. Such efforts are pivotal in empowering the industry with clarity, actionable knowledge, and practical guidance to drive meaningful progress toward a sustainable future,"

Mr. Suresh, Sustainability Expert at Eastman Exports, also recently contacted the helpline: "A few days back, one of our factory team members had questions about the CPSIA Restricted Substances List. At that moment, I couldn’t provide a proper response. To address this, I immediately reached out to the Sustainability Clinic for clarification. The team at the Sustainability Clinic was highly responsive, offering clear and detailed guidance on CPSIA requirements. I sincerely thank them for their expertise and support, which has significantly enhanced our knowledge. Thank you for your dedication to advancing sustainability."

Planning to scale up impact

The Sustainability Clinic’s impact is already being felt, with more and more manufacturers in Tamil Nadu and beyond inquiring about sustainable practices. Fairtrade India is proud to work with an increasing number producers to pave the way for a more responsible and environmentally conscious textile industry.

“This is just the beginning,” says Senthilnathan V., a textile expert at Fairtrade India working on the Switch Asia project. “The Clinic’s success is spreading, and we aim to expand this support to textile clusters across India, helping MSMEs thrive in a greener future.”

Who made my clothes? Ideally, people who have access to expert support.

The Sustainability Clinic initiative aligns with the goals of Fashion Revolution Week in raising awareness for fairer fashion. Throughout the week, Fairtrade India will continue to highlight the importance of initiatives that support the sector’s transition.

“Fair and green fashion is the future,” concludes Abhishek Jani. “By supporting small and medium-sized businesses in their sustainability journey, we are helping to build a textile industry that aligns with consumer expectations of responsibility and ethics.”

For more information, visit Fairtrade India’s website and watch the Sustainability Clinic video on YouTube.