Fairtrade India is part of the global Fairtrade movement, working to promote ethical and sustainable trade practices that empower farmers, workers, and businesses across various industries, including textiles. With a strong commitment to environmental and social sustainability, Fairtrade India supports businesses in adopting responsible production methods that align with international sustainability standards and consumer expectations.

The Sustainability Clinic is a collaborative initiative by Fairtrade India and the Centre for Social Markets (CSM), designed to provide expert guidance and hands-on support to textile manufacturers navigating the complexities of sustainability. Fairtrade India CEO Abhishek Jani explains how this initiative helps manufacturers—especially MSMEs— implement sustainable practices related to carbon reduction, water and waste management, energy efficiency, chemical safety, and certification requirements.

1. How does Fairtrade India’s overall mission align with the growing global focus on sustainability and ethical trade practices?

At Fairtrade India, our focus is to empower farmers and workers through the adoption of sustainable production and trade practices. This aligns seamlessly with the growing global focus towards sustainability, as we strive to address critical global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality by promoting responsible business, community and individual conduct. Fairtrade India is working towards the achievement of a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Whether through promoting environmentally and socially responsible farming practices or working to reduce the carbon and water footprint of textiles production processes, we aim to contribute to the preservation of ecosystems and creating a fairer society for future generations. Our efforts focus on ensuring better prices for farmers, safer working conditions, environmental stewardship and adoption of non-exploitative practices—covering social and environmental sustainability. With growing Indian and international regulations focusing on responsible business conduct across supply chains—whether through the BRSR (Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting); EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation) or CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) among others on the anvil, Fairtrade is well positioned to support businesses to align with these requirements.

2. What role does consumer awareness and demand play in driving sustainability in the textile industry, and how does Fairtrade India contribute to this?

Consumer awareness and demand are pivotal in driving sustainability in the textile industry. As consumers become more informed about the environmental and social impacts of their fashion and consumption choices, their demand for greater transparency and preference for ethically produced and environmentally sustainable products pushes businesses to adopt responsible practices. This shift influences supply chains, fosters traceability, and accelerates the industry’s transition towards sustainable models.

At Fairtrade India, we try to contribute to this movement by educating consumers about sustainability, the benefits of Fairtrade-Certified fashion and textiles and encouraging informed purchasing decisions. By working to build a deeper connection between consumers and the producers behind their clothing, we aim to increase the demand for sustainable and ethically produced textiles, which can lead to broader industry-wide changes.

3. How is Fairtrade India engaging with policymakers to promote sustainability and fair trade practices within the textile sector?

Fairtrade India is undertaking a wide range of programmes on the ground which dovetail with the government policies to promote sustainability. Fairtrade India is supporting the adoption of greener technologies and making use of government financing and subsidy schemes for green transition. Fairtrade India is also building capacity of MSMEs to adopt sustainable production practices as per the national regulations and government missions and even going beyond the regulatory requirements. The learnings from these practical experiences with the industry are shared with the policy makers to facilitate more informed decision making.  

4. What motivated Fairtrade India to launch the Sustainability Clinic, and what are its primary objectives?

Fairtrade India in collaboration with Centre for Social Markets (CSM) was motivated to launch the Sustainability Clinic in response to the growing demand for rapid adoption of sustainable practices in the textile industry. With brands, buyers, and regulators increasingly insisting on sustainability, it became clear that manufacturers needed support to navigate the complex requirements of sustainable production. These requirements become even more challenging for the MSMEs as they have to additionally grapple with: 1. lack of knowledge and information about the relevant sustainability requirements, 2. they find it difficult to identify suitable and relevant sustainability solutions and vendors, 3. they have limited access to finance, and 4. they also find it difficult to develop the business case for making additional investments.

The primary objective of the Sustainability Clinic is to assist textile manufacturers in overcoming challenges faced for adopting environmentally and socially responsible practices. The Sustainability Clinic was created to provide this support, helping textile manufacturers address key implementation concerns for adopting sustainability solutions for reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, better water and wastewater management, minimising toxic chemical use, and overcoming certification and implementation hurdles.

In collaboration with CSM and supported by the European Union’s SWITCH ASIA programme, the initiative aims to make it easier for manufacturers to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices. The partnership with the Tiruppur Exporter’s Association (TEA) has allowed us to make significant strides in Tamil Nadu, one of India’s largest textile-producing and exporting regions, advancing the industry’s transition to more sustainable and ethical production methods.

5. Why was Tamil Nadu chosen as the pilot region for the Sustainability Clinic, and what challenges specific to this region are being addressed?

Tamil Nadu was selected as the pilot region for the Sustainability Clinic due to its longstanding significance as a textile production powerhouse. Fairtrade India has deep ties to the state, which is home to numerous textile hubs, including the Tiruppur cluster—one of the largest exporter hubs of knitted garments globally. This region plays a vital role in both domestic and international textile markets.

With strong support from TEA, our initiative got crucial guidance and a big boost in taking the sustainability programme to the textiles industry. The Sustainability Clinic focuses on this key region to ensure that sustainable practices are effectively integrated into the local textile industry, particularly benefiting the MSMEs that are essential to the local economy. The initiative addresses challenges such as reducing water usage, carbon emissions, and the use of toxic chemicals, helping to foster long-term environmental and social sustainability in the region’s textile production.

6. How does the Sustainability Clinic ensure that MSMEs receive the tailored assistance they need to adopt sustainable practices?

The Sustainability Clinic offers tailored assistance to MSMEs by providing personalised guidance based on each factory’s unique needs and challenges. Through a free helpline (Sustainability Clinic Helpline: +91- 9630008200 and e-mail sustainabilityclinic@ csmworld.org) and direct consultations, the clinic addresses specific issues and requirements raised by users. Anyone from the textiles industry can reach out to us—whether to learn how to obtain a certification, gain technical knowledge related to sustainability reporting requirements, identify technologies or vendors for reducing GHG emissions, or understand the business benefits of adopting water management practices. Our experts are ready to provide guidance in the local language and facilitate progress on the sustainability journey. The Sustainability Clinic can also connect manufacturers with a network of over 90 solution providers who offer specialised tools and services designed for the textile industry.

Additionally, the clinic conducts workshops and training to build the capacity of factory compliance and HR teams, ensuring they have the skills to implement sustainable practices. The Sustainability Clinic is also supporting selective MSMEs with their baseline evaluations of environmental indicators and developing roadmaps for sustainability transition. By offering expert advice in local languages and facilitating access to government schemes and green financing, the Sustainability Clinic simplifies the adoption of sustainability measures, ensuring that even smaller factories can make meaningful progress towards more sustainable production.

7. Can you share key outcomes or success stories from the pilot programme involving over 200 factories in Tamil Nadu?

The pilot programme in Tamil Nadu has successfully engaged over 200 factories, driving significant understanding about adopting sustainable production practices. Most of the engagement has been related to building capacity of key management, HR, compliance and sustainability team members for better measurement and reporting on environmental indicators as well as adoption of better and more efficient production practices. Many factories have begun measuring and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with international standards, while others have improved their adoption of more sustainable wastewater management practices, helping conserve water and comply with environmental regulations. Additionally, improvements in chemical management have reduced toxic chemical use.

One of the initial focus areas for textile manufacturers has been the measurement and development of transition roadmaps for their carbon footprints to align with international frameworks such as Higg and SBTi. The workshops, along with direct guidance through the Sustainability Clinic helpline, have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from textile manufacturers.

8. What role have partnerships, such as with TEA, and funding from the European Union SWITCH ASIA programme played in the initiative’s success?

The partnership with TEA has been crucial to the development and implementation of the Sustainability Clinic. TEA’s senior leadership has been involved at every step—from providing feedback on focus areas Launch of the Sustainability Clinic and workshop on carbon emissions monitoring.  FEBRUARY 2025 FIBRE2FASHION 77 and priorities for its members to offering support and encouragement at events and platforms, as well as introducing the programme to its members. TEA has also provided invaluable local support and has been an active participant in the programme. Its network and expertise have helped ensure that the clinic’s services are well[1]tailored to the needs of the region’s textile manufacturers.

Funding from the European Union’s SWITCH ASIA programme has been instrumental in providing the necessary resources and expertise to deliver the clinic’s services, including expert guidance, training, and connecting factories with sustainability solution providers. With a focus on supporting the green transition and facilitating the implementation of United Nations SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), the European Union SWITCH ASIA programme’s financial support has enabled the initiative to develop and scale effectively, ensuring that sustainable practices can be adopted across Tamil Nadu’s textile industry and beyond.

9. What are the most common sustainability challenges faced by textile manufacturers, and how does the clinic help resolve them?

While many large textile manufacturers are adopting cutting-edge sustainability practices in waste and water management, energy efficiency, and chemical management—and are also certified against international standards—they are still preparing for the implications of upcoming regulatory compliance requirements from their buyers. This challenge is even more acute for MSME textile manufacturers, who often lack the resources, infrastructure, knowledge, capital, and suitable solutions needed to adopt sustainable production practices. Additionally, many sustainability solutions are designed for large-scale enterprises and are not always viable or suitable for smaller operations.

The Sustainability Clinic aims to address these challenges, particularly for MSME textile manufacturers. The Clinic offers free, quick, and easily accessible expert guidance through a dedicated helpline +91-9630008200 and email sustainabilityclinic@csmworld.org, allowing manufacturers to clarify doubts or seek advice on implementing sustainability requirements in their factories. When manufacturers reach out, if our in-house experts are unable to resolve the issue directly, the Clinic connects them with the appropriate solution providers from a network of over 90 experts—whether for improving water and chemical management, adopting energy-efficient technologies, or enhancing waste management practices.

The Clinic is also developing a database of solutions and solution providers specifically relevant to MSME-scale manufacturing, ensuring that the solutions offered are practical and applicable. Additionally, the Sustainability Clinic has started receiving inquiries from compliance teams of large manufacturing units, demonstrating the cross-industry relevance of its solutions. By linking manufacturers with specialised resources and providing hands-on guidance, the clinic enables them to implement effective, sustainable practices and meet international market requirements.

10. As interest grows from other textile hubs, what is your vision for scaling the Sustainability Clinic beyond Tamil Nadu?

Our vision for scaling the Sustainability Clinic is to expand our reach and provide localised, tailored support to manufacturers in key textiles production regions across the country. We aim to replicate the success seen in Tamil Nadu by collaborating with local stakeholders, including industry associations and government bodies, to address the specific sustainability challenges faced by each region.

By offering expert guidance in local languages and connecting manufacturers to a network of solution providers, we plan to empower more MSMEs in the textile industry to adopt sustainable practices. Ultimately, our goal is to create a nationwide network that enables textile manufacturers across India to meet global sustainability standards and contribute to a greener, more ethical textile sector.

11. How effective have workshops and the Sustainability Open House webinars been in educating manufacturers about sustainable practices?

Our workshops and capacity building engagements with the textiles manufacturers have been highly effective in educating them in a practical manner about implementing sustainable production practices. These sessions provide hands-on training and address multiple specific challenges. By featuring expert speakers and real-world case studies, the webinars and workshops offer valuable insights into practical sustainability solutions and help to equip factory compliance teams with the skills and knowledge needed to implement these practices on the ground.

Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting a clearer understanding of sustainability requirements and how to integrate them into their operations. These educational efforts have been instrumental in raising awareness and inspiring manufacturers to take action, ultimately driving more sustainable practices within the textile industry.

12. What are the long-term goals of the Sustainability Clinic, and how do you plan to ensure its continued impact on the textile industry?

The Sustainability Clinic aims to continuously enhance the support system and ecosystem around the adoption of sustainability practices in India’s textile sector, with the ultimate goal of positioning India as a global hub for sustainable textile manufacturing. Our plans include expanding beyond Tamil Nadu, providing ongoing education, and building strong partnerships to further support the adoption of sustainability practices.

Additionally, we intend to develop a digital interface to make solution discovery more accessible and to expand our service offerings. This will include support for access to green capital, market linkages for sustainable products, and easier access to certification. For sustainability solution providers, we plan to initiate pilot projects with manufacturers and facilitate the solution discovery process, making it easier for them to find markets for their products and services.

By connecting manufacturers with expert solutions and helping them comply with global standards, we aim to drive lasting change and ensure the textile industry remains adaptable to evolving sustainability demands.

13. Beyond the Sustainability Clinic, what other collaborations or initiatives is Fairtrade India undertaking to support the textile industry’s transition to sustainability?

Fairtrade India focuses on promoting Fairtrade Certification and empowering cotton farmers to adopt sustainable production practices. We work on creating consumer awareness about Fairtrade-certified products, helping drive demand for ethically produced textiles. We are proud to share that through collaborations with Indian Terrain, Being Human, Twin Birds, Here & Now, LOREAL and other Indian brands, more and more Fairtrade and sustainable fashion choices are becoming accessible for the Indian consumers. Additionally, we conduct workshops in schools and colleges to educate youth about the importance of sustainable consumption and Fairtrade, ensuring the next generation understands and supports sustainable, ethical practices in the industry.

14. As the global demand for fair trade and sustainable practices grows, what is your vision for the future of Fairtrade India’s role in transforming industries?

We see Fairtrade India as being one of the enablers of sustainability in the food, fashion and other agri-sector related value chains in India. We hope to play an impactful role in working with different industries towards building and implementing more ethical, fair and sustainable pathways. Our vision is to continue to work with farmers, manufacturers, institutions and consumers, and enabling them to embrace fair trade and sustainability principles. By empowering local communities, and raising awareness, we hope to foster a more responsible, holistic and compassionate approach to sustainable consumption and production (United Nations SDG 12). Ultimately, we aspire to create a future where sustainability and fairness are at the heart of India’s industries, benefiting both people and the planet.