A recent post by Global Data caught my eye: Explainer: How data can help fashion become more sustainable. There is no argument that the fashion industry needs all the help it can get to reduce its negative impact on the environment. Much of the focus has been on educating brands about more sustainable practices such as digital on demand printing, made-to-order garments, pushing consumers to buy less, and addressing the need for regulatory compliance. So far, even though many brands tout their green practices, there doesn’t seem to be much progress.

A recent Shopify blog delineates all of the issues the fashion industry has with respect to sustainability, giving brands suggestions about how to be more sustainable. If you are not familiar with the havoc fashion, and textiles in general, are wreaking on the planet, this post is a good place to start.

But the Global Data piece is the first time I have seen an explanation of the role of data in accomplishing sustainability objectives, although I am sure there must be other people talking about this! The post quotes Muchaneta ten Napel, founder and CEO at consultancy and educator Shape Innovate, who claimed at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen in May, “80% of fashion products currently go unsold. Data can cut that in half.”