The fashion and textile industry (F&TI) is under pressure to address its environmental and social impacts, prompting the uptake of new sustainability initiatives. However, effectively measuring and communicating these efforts for enhanced transparency remains a challenge. This research partners with innovative Swiss startup FutureWear Group aims to explore how elements from existing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) platforms and frameworks can be leveraged to meet the unique needs of the F&TI, allowing for the application, quantification, and communication of sustainable practices. By investigating the specific needs of the industry, relevant ESG metrics, influential reporting frameworks, compatible sustainability platforms, and barriers to adoption, this study seeks to provide insights for FutureWear Group that guide the company’s development of tools that facilitate the industry's transition towards measurable sustainability. The study is the focus of the student’s five-month long internship with FutureWear Group, aimed at helping guide the creation of their offering to the industry called the ‘Sustainable Ventures Radar.’

Main outcomes from this survey shed light on the F&TI's proactive efforts to enhance ESG portfolios, revealing an active commitment to sustainability, although marked by significant financial constraints. Key metrics in the industry tend to be influenced by societal pressures, with certain metrics involving the F&TI’s vast value chain a constant challenge to account for. The study identifies the Global Reporting Initiative as a preferred framework and underscores the Higg Index's growing relevance, despite challenges in data management and the need for more industry-specific guidance. Key findings from this research highlight the pivotal role elements from existing ESG platforms and frameworks play in demonstrating measurable sustainability when tailored to the specific operations of the fashion and textile industry. The study identifies the need for further industry education and awareness in implementing ESG initiatives. These findings address the core research question and set a benchmark for future industry practices. Despite a comprehensive analysis, the study acknowledges limitations, such as the inherent limitations of the LinkedIn Sales Navigator tool employed for survey dissemination and the nature of the research being a broad overview, which could impact the breadth and depth of the research conclusions. This work paves the way for future research opportunities, notably in exploring the development of cost-effective, tailored tools within more specific sub-segments of the industry to address their unique challenges.