Climate Change and Slow Fashion in Bangladesh

Despite Bangladesh's rich history of textile production, mass production and low-cost manufacturing have marginalized traditional techniques. This transition has led to declining demand and insufficient government support for traditional textile production, as well as growth in practices with high environmental impact. Social entrepreneurship emerges as a strategic avenue for addressing these challenges. One way this is happening is through developing new businesses focused on slow fashion, a concept that emphasizes the intrinsic value of artisanal production, promoting craftsmanship, sustainability, and ethical practices. This chapter highlights benefits created by Bangladeshi social enterprises promoting slow fashion, which include supporting local artisans, preserving traditional textile heritage, creating economic opportunities, investing in education and training programs, and championing production practices with low environmental impacts. With these opportunities, social entrepreneurship can play a transformative role in a process where both new and traditional garment and textile manufacturing can reduce contributions to climate change.