Last month, I delivered the closing keynote at the Cascale Annual Meeting in Hong Kong—a conference gathering more than 700 industry leaders across the globe. Cascale—formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and developer of the Higg Index—is one of the world’s most influential sustainability measurement platforms for the textile value chain. The message was candid and clear: the future of fashion will not be shaped by trends alone, but by how swiftly and effectively the industry can transform itself through the lens of sustainability.
As one of the world’s most resource-intensive industries, textiles and garments must fundamentally reimagine sustainability—not as an add-on, but as the core of business strategy. For Hong Kong, this transformation represents both a challenge and an extraordinary opportunity to leverage our unique strengths built over seven decades.
Our textile and garment sector has demonstrated remarkable adaptability throughout its history. From powering Hong Kong’s rise as one of Asia’s “Four Tigers” in the post-war era to evolving into a multinational supply chain management center nowadays, we have consistently transformed ourselves to meet new demands. Today, we must channel that same resilience toward sustainability leadership.
Across our industry, local pioneers are already showing what is possible. For example, one of the largest Hong Kong-listed clothing manufacturers has embedded sustainability into operations for nearly two decades, proving that environmental responsibility drives both positive impact and cost savings. Another Hong Kong-headquartered company, one of the world’s largest shirtmakers, has built the sustainable development garden in Guilin, transforming polluted land into one of China’s ” Zero-Carbon Parks.” This project is writing a new chapter in the harmonious coexistence of manufacturing and nature, demonstrating a replicable model for the industry worldwide.
For decades, our textile and garment industry has been trusted by international brands as the bridge between East and West, translating global consumer expectations into practical manufacturing solutions across Asia. This trusted position drives our commitment to sustainability. By actively collaborating with stakeholders throughout the value chain, we are building a comprehensive ecosystem that illustrated Hong Kong’s textile and garment industry is united in driving meaningful change from design to consumption.
Behind these corporate leaders stands a broader innovation and research ecosystem that strengthens Hong Kong’s capacity for sustainable development. The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) is a leading R&D center in textile recycling and green technologies. Its Open Lab initiative, collaborating with the H&M Foundation, further drives the sustainable development in the city. The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) provides all-rounded solutions in digital transformation, advanced manufacturing and ESG strategies. The Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) brings expertise in sustainable dyes and coatings. Our universities such as the Hong Kong Polytechnic University also puts great efforts to bridge design and science in driving material innovation and eco-textile upcycling.
This spirit of collaboration extends beyond research institutions. NGOs like Redress, Sustainable Fashion Business Consortium (SFBC), which aims to enhance sustainable practices across fashion supply chains, alongside platforms such as Fashion Summit, showcase the creativity and potential of sustainable fashion. The HKSAR government backs this ecosystem with various funding such as the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme, Green Tech Fund and CreateSmart Initiative ensuring sustainable innovations can be tested, scaled, and commercialized.
Yet Hong Kong’s greatest strength lies not only in local innovation but in our ability to connect. In the sustainability era, this role is more important than ever.
China has committed to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. At September’s United Nations Climate Summit, President Xi Jinping reinforced that determination by announcing an absolute target that China will reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10% from peak levels by 2035. The textile industry, one of China’s largest sectors, is already responding even earlier. According to the China National Textile and Apparel Council, the industry’s carbon intensity has dropped 60% between 2005 and 2022.
Leading Chinese brands are driving this momentum with substantial investments in recyclable materials, sustainable packaging, and degradable textiles. For instance, Anta Sports, one of China’s largest sports brands, nearly doubled its adoption of sustainable packaging within a year, increasing from 19.7% in 2023 to 36% in 2024, based on order volume as mentioned in their 2024 ESG report. These achievements reflect a nationwide commitment to sustainability—one that flows from government policy to corporate actions on the factory floor.
The progress is encouraging, but it also highlights the need for alignment. Global sustainability efforts risk fragmentation, with overlapping certifications and inconsistent standards. Hong Kong is well-positioned to help overcome this challenge. By engaging China earlier and acting as a trusted, neutral platform for dialogue, we can help accelerate the creation of unified sustainability standards that are internationally credible and locally practical.
To succeed, we must also ensure that smaller enterprises are not left behind. While multinational manufacturers may have the resources to invest in green technologies, SMEs require financing, training, and shared platforms to upgrade sustainably. We must also invest in people—the future of fashion will depend on designers who understand circularity, engineers who can innovate with new materials, and managers who can balance commercial imperatives with ESG goals. Hong Kong’s renowned universities and international networks position us perfectly to nurture this new generation. Industry platforms such as Hong Kong Fashion Fest, initiated and supported by the HKSAR government, should be leveraged not just as celebrations of creativity, but as global stages to showcase our seriousness and leadership in sustainability.
Sustainability is not a burden—it is a competitive advantage that enhances efficiency, drives innovation, and builds long-term resilience. More importantly, it allows our industry to redefine its purpose: not merely producing garments but also contributing to a greener planet and a fairer society. Hong Kong possesses the heritage, ecosystem, and connectivity to lead this transformation. Our value as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” has never been more tangible. We are a bridge between East and West, between policy and practice, between ambition and action.
The Cascale conference reminded me that the world is watching, and the industry is listening. Hong Kong can and must rise to this moment. By aligning vision with action, and local strengths with global responsibility, we can help ensure that the fashion industry’s future is not only stylish, but sustainable. Together with Hong Kong, we can turn vision into action—and business into impact.
Sunny Tan is a Member of the Legislative Council representing the textiles and garment industry in Hong Kong. He is dedicated to advancing the fashion and textile sector that connect Hong Kong with Asia and the global market. Tan is a Senior Advisor to Luen Thai Holdings, a global manufacturer of apparel and accessories, and he holds numerous industry roles, including Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Textiles, Chairman of Hong Kong Fashion Council, and Board of Director of Hong Kong Design Centre.
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