Earth Day 2024 is an observance that promotes environmental protection processes and encourages action against climate change. Each year, a theme is announced to highlight a pressing climate issue that needs some time in the spotlight. This year’s Earth Day theme is ‘Planet vs Plastics’ to promote plastic reduction and ultimately ensure a 60% drop in plastic production by 2040.
One of the many ways that earthday.org suggests taking action against climate change is taking a stand against fast fashion – low-priced clothing with trendy designs that need to be produced quickly and in bulk to meet high demands. But doesn’t that just sound like the fashion industry in general? How else would clothes be produced?
That’s where slow fashion comes in! It is the direct opposite of fast fashion and takes a more ethical and sustainable approach to clothing production. So, to celebrate Earth Day 2024, Expat Explore has compiled a list of the top global countries that are starting to say “no” to fast fashion and leading the way towards a slow fashion future!
Related: Discover the most eco-friendly cities in Europe!
Top countries around the world that promote slow fashion:
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is first on our list of stylishly sustainable countries for quite a few reasons! Firstly, it seems as though the general population shows substantial interest in slow fashion, with higher search engine volumes for “sustainable fashion” and “second-hand clothing” than any other country on the list.
Secondly, even the government has stepped in to promote more sustainable fashion and discourage fast fashion practices. In 2022, the UK government introduced a 10-year programme to promote the change to sustainable fashion. The aim is to enable the fashion industry to embrace new business models while creating world-class recycling and sorting infrastructure.
Finally, some big-name fashion brands and retailers in the UK are even following suit with big changes like using more eco-friendly dyes and sourcing more plastic-free alternatives to the industry’s popular materials.
Related: Explore Great Britain on this immersive tour!
Japan
While Japan might not be the biggest player in the global fashion game, it is certainly part of the movement to restructure the industry into something more sustainable. One way Japan is leading the charge away from fast fashion is through the introduction of the Japan Sustainable Fashion Alliance (JSFA). This initiative aims to bridge the gap between customers and suppliers when it comes to sustainable fashion, encouraging collaboration and policy changes.
Secondly, Japanese designers and clothing brands are also paving the way towards sustainable fashion. For one, some brands are opting for 3D renderings of designs to cut back on waste during the sample creation process. Plus, other brands are going as far as utilising groundbreaking methods, such as making biodegradable clothes from protein resin found in wool!
These initiatives and practices go a long way to ensure the fashion industry becomes more sustainable. However, with the introduction of new initiatives usually also comes a set of challenges. For Japan, it’s the accessibility of sustainable fashion. Many brands are making sustainable options, but not all customers can get their hands on them.
Related: Take a look at our Japan travel guide!
Singapore
Next on our list of fashionably sustainable countries is Singapore! Like Japan, Singapore introduced an initiative to promote Asian crafts, sustainability, technology and innovation. The Singapore Fashion Council (SFC) aims to empower the fashion industry’s players to make more sustainable choices by making resources more accessible, providing meaningful networking opportunities and prioritising innovations that focus on sustainability.
Another great advancement in the Singapore fashion industry is the introduction of circular fashion models at select retailers. The circular model is built on the idea that customers can buy clothes and sell them back to the brand after getting their use out of them for a reduced price, usually redeemable as store credit. This model works incredibly well for children’s clothing, as the average number of wears per item is a lot lower than in adults.
Related: Discover the best countries for fashionable travellers!
Scandinavia
Considering that countries like Denmark, Norway and Sweden are leading the way to sustainability in general, it should come as no surprise that they secured a spot on the list of sustainable fashion players. Scandinavia’s journey towards sustainable fashion arguably began in 2019 when Stockholm Fashion Week was cancelled due to environmental concerns. Since then, Copenhagen Fashion Week has also announced its alignment with sustainability goals.
Additionally, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish shoppers have also been showcasing an increased interest in recycled clothing, second-hand fashion, eco-friendly packaging and the circular fashion model that’s becoming more popular worldwide. All of this points to a brighter future for sustainable fashion in Europe.
Related: Explore all three sustainable Scandinavian countries on our Scandinavian Escape tour!
We hope that these countries have inspired you to start making a small but sustainable change for Earth Day 2024! Imagine the impact we can achieve if every country in the world follows suit.
Want to explore some of the countries on our list for yourself? Whether you’re interested in fashion, art, architecture or history, there’s an Expat Explore travel package for you! Book a tour, don your sustainable fashion, and get ready to make the world your runway!