Decarbonizing the textiles and clothing industry in South Africa: the role of renewable energy

Purpose South Africa’s textiles and clothing sector is positioned by the government to support economic growth and development. However, its expansion can increase carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions because of the high energy consumption and natural resource requirements. A proposed option to make the sector environmentally friendly is the adoption of renewable energy. This study aims to assess whether the CO2 emissions effect of the textiles and clothing sector can be reduced by adopting renewable energy. Design/methodology/approach CO2 emission function is formulated within the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology (STIRPAT) Model. Data for the analysis ranged from 1990 to 2022. Regression analysis is performed using the autoregressive distributed lag, fully modified ordinary least squares, canonical cointegrating regressions and dynamic ordinary least squares methods. Findings The textile and clothing sector positively affects CO2 emissions. Although renewable energy consumption has a direct positive long-run effect, it reduces the effect of the textiles and clothing sector on CO2 emissions. Practical implications The implications from the study include the formulation of policies that will hasten the adoption of renewable energy by the textiles and clothing sector for their activities. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by assessing the carbon emissions effect of the textiles and clothing sector within the STIRPAT model. It also analyses the moderation effect of renewable energy on the textiles and clothing sector–carbon emissions nexus.