Assessing the potential of GHG emissions for the textile sector: A baseline study

Shahid Imran; M A Mujtaba; Muhammad Manan Zafar; Amjad Hussain; Amjad Mehmood; Umm E Farwa; T Korakianitis; M A Kalam; H Fayaz; C Ahamed Saleel

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22404

Assessing the potential of GHG emissions for the textile sector: A baseline study

Heliyon. 2023 Nov 17;9(11):e22404. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22404. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (New Campus), Lahore, 54890, Pakistan.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
³ Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore.
⁴ Department of Environmental Sciences, New Campus, UET., Lahore, Pakistan.
⁵ Parks College of Aviation & Technology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
⁶ School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FEIT, University of Technology Sydney, N.S.W., 2007, Australia.
⁷ Modeling Evolutionary Algorithms Simulation and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
⁸ Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Asir-Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The carbon footprint (CFP) is a measure of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted throughout the lifecycle of a product or activity, while the energy footprint (EFP) and water footprint (WFP) measure energy and water consumption, respectively. These footprints are essential for managing emissions and consumption and promoting low-carbon consumption. A carbon labeling scheme could help consumers make informed choices. Asia is a major textile producer and consumer, so studying textiles' carbon, energy, and water footprints is essential for managing domestic emissions, energy and water consumption, and international trade negotiations. This paper presents a method and framework for assessing CFP, EFP, and WFP at the product level and calculates the footprints for textile products. The results show that the total CFP of all textile products produced is 42,624.12 MT CO₂e, with indirect emissions contributing significantly more than direct emissions. The total EFP is 248.38 PJ, with electricity consumption being the main contributor, while the total WFP is 80.71 billion liters. The spinning stage of production has the highest CFP and EFP, and energy consumption is the main contributor to all footprints. These results can help compare different products and reduce the footprints of the textile sector.

Keywords: Carbon footprint; Energy footprint; GHG emissions; Textile industries; Water footprint.