A study of sustainability in Spanish fashion companiethrough the GRI standards

Abstract

Introduction: Sustainability concerns directly affect the textile sector, being one of the most polluting sectors worldwide. This sector must transform itself without compromising its profitability, integrating sustainability in environmental, social and corporate welfare terms. Methodology: The aim of this research is to analyse the institutional commitment of Spanish fashion companies to sustainability. A content analysis of the 2022 sustainability reports of the 10 Spanish textile companies with the highest turnover, according to Forbes, is carried out. This analysis identifies the inclusion in the reports of the most relevant GRI standards for the sector. Results: Only Mango and Inditex comply with these standards, while Mayoral is the least compliant. Discussions and conclusions: Larger companies with greater resources tend to comply better with these standards, due to the help of specialized consultancies. Sustainability reports are shown to be solid commitments to stakeholders, essential for achieving the SDGs. The need to improve transparency and the adoption of sustainable practices is highlighted, underlining the importance of corporate sustainability and its impact on business management and stakeholder perceptions.