'Difficult and costly': Clothing labels struggle to achieve net-zero in fashion

A 2020 file picture shows shoppers walk past a fashion store of H&M in central Stockholm. Photo: AFP

The world's fashion giants have pledged to trim their carbon footprint but that goal remains elusive at a time "fast fashion" is all the rage – a topic in the spotlight at the UN climate summit.

With a chance to strut their climate commitments at COP27 talks, clothing brands and manufacturers discussed global warming – but some admitted that their pledge to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by mid-century may be a stretch.