Sustainability Recap of 2024: The Highs And The Lows

THE BRIGHT SIDE: WINS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Materials Got Smarter (and Greener)

Innovation ruled the material world from mycelium leather – a fungus-based, cruelty-free material- to 3D-printed concrete, reducing material waste and carbon emissions.

But the star? Hemp. Fast-growing, durable, and low-impact, it emerged as THE material of the year, showing up everywhere from fashion runways to sustainable packaging.

Greener, Cleaner Cities

In 2024, cities around the world took big moves towards urban sustainability. New policies and infrastructure initiatives aim to reduce air pollution, create green spaces, and improve public transport networks. European capitals took the lead, citing major improvements in air quality and urban biodiversity. Parks grew, pollution levels fell, and city life became cleaner and more connected, demonstrating that greener cities are not only conceivable, but also attainable.

The CSRD Law: Transparency Took Center Stage

The implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) was an important milestone for accountability. Approximately 50,000 EU businesses are required to report on a wide range of sustainability topics, including environmental, social and governance issues, human rights and anti-corruption measures. This encourages openness, trust and ensures that companies are held responsible. We’re eager to see how it changes corporate responsibility in the upcoming year.

Indigenous Leadership In Conservation

Indigenous communities received better legal rights and financing in 2024 to safeguard critical habitats, ranging from beautiful tropical rainforests to vulnerable boreal peatlands. Indigenous knowledge, which is recognised within international legal frameworks, has proven crucial in protecting biodiversity and combating deforestation, demonstrating that nature thrives when its original guardians lead by example. 

Secondhand Fashion Steals the Spotlight

In 2024, secondhand fashion solidified its place in the mainstream. Retailers have embraced resale, offering certified pre-loved collections that make sustainable style both chic and accessible. According to ThredUp’s Resale Report, the global secondhand market is projected to double by 2027, reducing textile waste and lowering fashion’s environmental impact.

THE CHALLENGES WE FACED

The Price of Sustainability

While knowledge of sustainable goods increased in 2024, the escalating costs of certified sustainable products remained a deterrent for many. Organic fruit, fair-trade coffee, and ethically created apparel were generally expensive, making them out of reach for low-income consumers. This growing disparity emphasises the need for policies and innovations that make sustainable choices available to all, not just a select few.

Climate Disasters Worsened

This year has provided stark reminders of the climate concern. Wildfires raged throughout Canada, floods devastated Southeast Asia, and rising sea levels endanger coastal cities. While innovation continues, nature encourages us to respond faster and more effectively.  

Recycling confusion undermines progress

In 2024, consumers faced uncertainty due to varied recycling guidelines and poor waste management infrastructure. From packaging to electronics, confusing standards resulted in contaminated recycling streams, decreasing the effectiveness of municipal garbage programs. Without a cohesive approach to recycling, most of what could have been reused or repurposed ended up in landfills, emphasising the critical need for clearer processes and stronger infrastructure. Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy Progress Update.

Greenwashing Unmasked

2024 did not tolerate greenwashing. Several high-profile incidents revealed brands inflating their environmental credentials. These instances are driving consumer demand for more stringent restrictions and verifiable certificates to ensure authenticity.

The Rise of AI, but at a Cost

In 2024, the use of AI technologies such as ChatGPT increased dramatically, affecting industries ranging from education to customer service. While these advances improved efficiency and accessibility, they came at a significant environmental cost. AI necessitates vast data centres fuelled by large quantities of electricity, which contributes to carbon emissions.

According to research, training and running these technologies consumes as much energy as hundreds of thousands of houses each year! We need to balance the benefits of AI with the development of greener technologies, such as renewable-powered data centres and more energy-efficient algorithms.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025

The future promises smarter materials, bolder climate commitments, and a bigger consumer focus on quality over excess. From secondhand fashion and greener cities to Indigenous-led conservation and sustainable transportation, 2024 saw both success and ongoing concerns.

But if this year taught us anything, it’s that development requires collaboration, innovation, and responsibility. So, let us enter 2025 with purpose – choosing better, demanding more, and building a world where sustainability is more than simply a trend.

+ Words:
Aoife Morrall
Luxiders Magazine

+ Highlight Image:
© Unsplash