Why Textile Businesses Are Joining Canada’s Net Zero Challenge
- Achieve Sustainability
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
Canada’s textile industry may be small, but its impact on the environment—and its potential for change—is significant. Globally, the textile and apparel industry accounts for up to 10% of the total carbon emissions, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined (Government of Canada, 2024). From uniforms and protective apparel to specialty fabrics, small and mid-sized textile businesses are part of supply chains that touch almost every sector.
Now, more Canadian textile companies are stepping up to join Canada’s Net Zero Challenge—a federal program that helps businesses set credible plans to cut emissions to net zero by 2050. As of August 2025, fifteen members of the Canadian Textile Industry Association (CTIA) were participating. One of the early participants was Calko Group, a textile manufacturer, and Achieve Sustainability had the opportunity to help them complete their net zero plan and start reducing emissions.
Where Textile Emissions Come From
Running a textile business requires a lot of energy. The main sources of emissions typically include:
Building heating, especially if natural gas is used;
Heat and steam for dyeing, finishing, knitting, weaving, and other production or assembly steps (often powered by natural gas);
Electricity for running equipment, compressed air, and lighting; and
Materials like cotton or polyester, which embody emissions from how they’re grown or manufactured (Sadowski & Cummis, 2022) .
Why Reducing Emissions Makes Business Sense
Cutting emissions isn’t just about helping the environment—it can strengthen your business. Textile SMEs that act now can:
Stay competitive as large buyers, retailers, and government contracts increasingly ask for sustainability credentials.
Save money through energy efficiency and smarter use of equipment.
Build trust with customers who want to know the products they’re buying are made responsibly.
Get ahead of regulations that are coming down the line in Canada and globally.
How the Net Zero Challenge Helps
The Net Zero Challenge provides a clear framework for companies of any size to create a roadmap for reducing emissions. Participating businesses commit to measuring their emissions, setting reduction targets, publishing a plan, and taking action. In return, they receive recognition from the Government of Canada and demonstrate leadership in their sector.
For SMEs, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why having a structured program, with the right support, makes the process manageable. When Calko Group went through the Challenge, the first step was simply understanding where their emissions came from. From there, we mapped out opportunities to cut energy use, explore cleaner technologies, and set realistic targets.
Taking the First Step
If you’re running a textile business, now is the time to explore what reducing emissions could mean for you. It’s not only about climate responsibility—it’s about cost savings and staying competitive in a changing market.
At Achieve Sustainability we help small and mid-sized businesses, including textile companies, measure their emissions and create practical net zero plans. If you’d like to learn how the Net Zero Challenge could benefit your company, book a complementary consultation here.
References
Government of Canada. (2024). Addressing Plastic Waste and Pollution from the Textile and Apparel Sector: Consultation Document. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-reducing-waste/consultations/roadmap-plastic-waste-pollution-textile-apparel-sector/proposed-roadmap-plastic-waste-pollution-textile-apparel-sector.html Retrieved September 21, 2025
Sadowski, M., & Cummis, C. (2022). A Roadmap to Net-zero Emissions for the Apparel Sector. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/technical-perspectives/roadmap-net-zero-emissions-apparel-sector Retrieved September 21, 2025
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