A Comparative Review of Australia's Fashion and Textile Industry and Global Climate Perspectives Across Five Decades (1970s-2020s)

<p dir="ltr">Non-Technical Summary </p><p dir="ltr">This paper reviews the evolution of the Australian fashion and textile industry over the last 50 years as it confronts the challenges of climate change. Given Australia’s susceptibility to trade policies and shifting regulations, the industry needs to adapt to climate pressures, given its significant resource consumption and waste production. This analysis highlights key events that shaped the trading landscape, regulatory changes, and the need for stronger climate policies that bridge environmental responsibility between local and global actors, aiming to reduce the industry’s impact on climate change. </p><p dir="ltr">Technical Summary </p><p dir="ltr">This review examines the Australian fashion and textile industry’s response to climate change from the 1970s to the 2020s, using a methodology adapted from Harvard University comparative review guidelines and incorporating PRISMA . With evolving trade policies and regulatory shifts, this paper highlights the industry’s environmental challenges. This analysis examines the influence of local and international trade regulations and the effectiveness of climate policies in fostering sustainability. Key policy insights include the integration of climate considerations into trade policies to address the environmental impacts of international transactions, aligning trade with global climate goals. Additionally, it advocates for mandatory climate disclosures encompassing onshore and offshore emissions to enhance transparency across the supply chain. This paper calls for stronger alignment between climate and trade policies and expanded producer responsibility, holding both domestic and international actors accountable for environmental impacts. </p><p dir="ltr">Social Media Summary </p><p dir="ltr">Reviewing 50 years of Australia’s fashion and textile industry as it adapts to climate pressures & policy shifts.</p>