Fast fashion has become a global phenomenon, with many consumers opting for trendy, inexpensive clothing that is quickly produced and easily disposed of. This trend has taken hold in India as well, with many domestic and international companies capitalizing on the country's large population and growing middle class. However, fast fashion has significant legal and environmental impacts in India that cannot be ignored.

One of the primary environmental effects of fast fashion is the excessive use of natural resources such as water, land, and energy. In India, where water scarcity is already a significant issue, the textile industry is one of the largest consumers of water, accounting for nearly 20% of all industrial water usage. Additionally, the production of textiles and clothing involves the use of chemicals and dyes, which can have harmful effects on the environment and public health if not managed properly.

In response to these concerns, India has implemented several legal measures aimed at protecting the environment. The most prominent of these is the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, which regulates the discharge of pollutants into water bodies and establishes penalties for non-compliance. The Indian government has also implemented various policies and initiatives to promote sustainable practices in the textile industry, such as the Sustainable Textiles of India initiative, which aims to promote sustainable production and consumption of textiles.

In addition to environmental impacts, fast fashion also has legal effects on workers in the industry. The textile industry is notorious for its poor working conditions, low wages, and lack of basic labor protections. In India, the industry employs millions of people, many of whom are women and children who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Despite existing labor laws and regulations, these workers are often subject to long hours, low wages, and hazardous working conditions.

International Cases

Certainly, here are some international cases and developments related to fast fashion and its environmental impact:

• Rana Plaza Collapse:
  In 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, which housed several garment factories supplying fast fashion brands, collapsed killing over 1,100 workers. This tragedy brought international attention to the poor working conditions and lack of safety regulations in the fast fashion industry.
   
• Greenpeace Detox Campaign:
  In 2011, Greenpeace launched the Detox Campaign to pressure fast fashion companies to eliminate hazardous chemicals from their supply chains. The campaign has resulted in commitments from major brands such as Zara, H&M, and Nike to phase out toxic chemicals.
   
• The Fashion Pact:
  In 2019, the Fashion Pact was launched by the G7 leaders and 32 major fashion brands with the goal of reducing the fashion industry's impact on the environment. The pact includes commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate single-use plastics, and protect biodiversity.
   
• California Transparency in Supply Chains Act:
  In 2010, California passed the Transparency in Supply Chains Act, which requires companies with over $100 million in gross annual revenue to disclose their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chains. This law has implications for fast fashion companies that have been accused of using forced labor in their production processes.
   
• EU Circular Economy Action Plan:
  In 2020, the European Union launched its Circular Economy Action Plan, which aims to make the EU economy more sustainable and reduce waste. The plan includes measures to promote sustainable fashion, such as promoting the use of recycled materials and encouraging companies to design products that can be easily repaired and recycled.

These international developments show that the issue of fast fashion and its impact on the environment is a global concern, and there is a growing recognition of the need for action to address it.

International Steps Taken Against The Matter

There have been several international steps taken against the negative impact of fast fashion on the environment.

Here are some examples:

• The United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion:
  In 2019, the United Nations created the Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, a group of industry leaders and experts who work to promote sustainable practices in the fashion industry.
   
• The Sustainable Apparel Coalition:
  The Sustainable Apparel Coalition is a group of companies, organizations, and governments that work to reduce the environmental and social impact of the apparel and footwear industry. It was founded in 2010 and has members from over 30 countries.
   
• The Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action:
  In 2018, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the fashion industry launched the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. This charter aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
   
• The European Green Deal:
  The European Union's Green Deal is a plan to make the EU's economy sustainable by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable practices. The fashion industry is one of the sectors targeted by the plan.
   
• The Ellen MacArthur Foundation:
  The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a charity that works to promote a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible. The foundation has a program called the Make Fashion Circular initiative, which aims to reduce the negative impact of fashion on the environment.

These are just a few examples of international steps taken to address the negative impact of fast fashion on the environment.

The Indian government has taken several steps to address the negative impact of fast fashion on the environment and society.

Some of the notable steps include:
Sustainable Fashion Policy:
In 2020, the Ministry of Textiles launched National Hand-loom Day with the theme "Handloom for Atmanirbhar Bharat." The aim of the policy is to promote sustainable fashion and textiles, support local artisans, and reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

Extended Producer Responsibility:
In 2018, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change issued a notification mandating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic waste management. This means that manufacturers and brand owners are responsible for the collection and disposal of their products after their useful life is over.

Ban on Single-Use Plastics:
In 2019, the government announced a ban on single-use plastics in the country. The ban included items such as plastic bags, cups, plates, and cutlery.

Clean Ganga Fund:
In 2015, the government launched the Clean Ganga Fund to raise money for the cleaning of the river Ganges. The fund is used for various initiatives to reduce pollution in the river, including textile pollution.

Green Building Norms:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change issued the Green Building Norms in 2016. The norms are aimed at reducing the environmental impact of buildings by encouraging the use of sustainable materials and technologies.

National Action Plan on Climate Change:
In 2008, the government launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change to address the impacts of climate change on the country. The plan includes several initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including the promotion of sustainable practices in the textile industry.

Textile Waste Management:
The Ministry of Textiles has launched several initiatives to promote textile waste management. These include the Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship, which aims to train youth in textile waste management, and the Green Wardrobe Initiative, which encourages consumers to donate and recycle their old clothes.

These steps taken by the Indian government are aimed at reducing the negative impact of fast fashion on the environment and society. They reflect the growing concern about the issue and the need for a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry.

End Notes:

1. Fast Fashion: Environmental and Social Impacts. United Nations Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/fast-fashion-environmental-and-social-impacts
2. Environmental Impacts of the Textile Industry in India. India Water Portal. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/environmental-impacts-textile-industry-india.
3. India's Water Crisis: Causes and Cures. World Bank Blogs. https://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/indias-water-crisis-causes-and-cures.
4. Sustainable Textiles of India." Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. https://texmin.nic.in/sustainable-textiles-india.
5. California Transparency in Supply Chains Act." State of California Department of Justice. https://oag.ca.gov/SB657.
6. EU Circular Economy Action Plan." European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/index_en.htm
7. United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion." United Nations. https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/un-alliance-for-sustainable-fashion.
8. The Sustainable Apparel Coalition." The Sustainable Apparel Coalition. https://apparelcoalition.org/.
9. The Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/fashion-industry-charter-for-climate-action.
10. The European Green Deal." European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en.
11. Make Fashion Circular." Ellen MacArthur Foundation. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/our-work/activities/make-fashion-circular.
12. Sustainable Fashion Policy." Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1640831.
13. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastic Waste Management. Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1554045