Clothing, textile, and fashion industry sustainability impact measurement and management

Data from the Kering Group's 2018 Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) statement were examined for their capacity to meet the demand for meaningful and manageable sustainability metrics. Significant resources were invested in creating the data reported in this EP&L statement, as Kering's operations in 104 countries were evaluated in ways separable into almost 1,500 different indicators. The data system was not, however, designed as a measurement system. That is, it was not set up as specifically positing the possibility of estimating separable parameters for comparing company location performances across sustainability challenges. Of particular importance is the lack of information in the EP&L on the overall consistency of the data reported, on the uncertainties associated with the metrics given, and on the meaningfulness of comparisons across environmental impacts, processes, and materials. The results reported here showing far from perfect data consistency and large uncertainties comprise an effort at constructing meaningful measurements that offers important lessons for the redesign of the data and reporting system.