Bangladesh may lose a significant US $27 billion in annual garment exports by 2030, if the South Asian country does not adopt a climate-adaptive approach to high temperatures and floods.
Around 250,000 workers in the apparel manufacturing industry are expected to lose jobs due to climate change disruptions by 2030.
This was mentioned in a study named ‘Climate Resilience and Fashion’s Costs of Adaptation’ done jointly by Cornell University and Schroders.
The study focused on apparel manufacturing hubs in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Vietnam and revealed that these regions could lose more than $65 billion in garment exports due to climate change.
The study while recommending actions to address the challenges, observed that over the long term, the impact will be distressing for Bangladesh and may lose $27 billion from clothing exports by 2030.
The researchers studied the climate vulnerability of 32 garment manufacturing hubs in Bangladesh like Dhaka and Chattogram, which showed that exposure to high temperatures and flooding was widespread.
“Workers reported missing three days of work per month due to heat and flood-related illness in costing them Taka 1,200 to 1,500 per month,” the study informed.
The study advocated considering heat and flood events as health hazards by providing paid leave for related illnesses and also called for providing the right to stop work when such conditions prevail.
The study stressed the need for a collective response to address the challenges faced by the clothing factories.
Agreements should be inked and partnerships must be undertaken between brands, manufacturers, unions, and governments to address climate breakdown.
The study advised brands to explore the return on investment from adaptation measures and support manufacturers to relocate to lower-risk locations.
It was also suggested the government to integrate climate adaptation and worker rights-related factors into trade policies.
Indian Apparel.
