The Tunisia apparel and textile industry has embarked on a bold initiative to enhance its sustainability and ecological footprint. The Tunisian Textile Green Transition (TTGT) project, launched in April, aims to transform the sector by 2030, aligning it with international sustainability standards.
Ambitious Goals for a Greener Industry
The TTGT initiative sets forth several ambitious targets: recycling 90% of wastewater produced by the Tunisia apparel industry, reducing companies’ carbon footprints by 30%, transitioning to 100% renewable electricity, cutting textile solid waste by 50%, and certifying 100 textile companies to meet the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) environmental and energy management standards.
Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Transformation
Leading this transformative effort is the Tunisian Federation for Textiles and Garments (Fédération Tunisienne du Textile et de l’Habillement – FTTH), which represents 1,600 companies. The FTTH is collaborating with the UN’s International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Global Textile and Clothing Programme (GTEX) and the Dutch governmental Centre for the Promotion of Imports (CBI). The initiative also enjoys the support of various ministries, including the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
A significant impetus for this green transition is Tunisia’s vulnerability to the European Union’s (EU) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Set to take effect in 2026, this mechanism will impose a price on carbon emissions for goods entering the EU. With 98.1% of Tunisia’s electricity currently derived from natural gas, this policy could significantly impact Tunisia apparel exports to the EU.
Industry Leaders Highlight Urgency
Rim Jelassi, general coordinator at the FTTH, highlighted the urgency of the initiative. “People realized the need to work in an ecologically responsible way because they see each summer here is increasingly infernal,” she told Just Style.
Towards a Circular Economy
The TTGT project also seeks to foster a circular economy by encouraging companies in the Tunisia apparel sector to collaborate on innovative solutions to fashion production challenges. Jelassi emphasized that raising the industry’s human capital is crucial to achieving these goals, as creativity and innovation are essential in developing sustainable practices.
By setting these ambitious targets and fostering collaboration and innovation, the Tunisia apparel sector aims to become a leader in sustainable fashion, ensuring its competitiveness in the global market while addressing pressing environmental concerns.
