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POLICY AND ECONOMIC REPORT
OIL & GAS MARKET

The United States extended its lead as the top destination for direct investment. Singapore recorded the
largest gain in 2023, with its position rising $307 billion, followed by $227 billion for the United States and
$164 billion for Germany. Meanwhile, the Netherlands and Luxembourg posted the steepest declines but
remained in the top five, alongside the United States, China, and the United Kingdom.

Strong growth was also seen in many emerging economies. Most notably, India, Mexico, and Brazil each
saw their inward direct investment positions rise by around $130 billion or about 20 percent, marking the
largest increase for these three economies in total since the survey began in 2009.

4. Zero-Waste Day on March 30 to highlight need for sustainable consumption

The third International Day of Zero Waste, facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), will be observed on 30
March 2025.

This year’s theme, “towards zero waste in fashion and textiles,” highlights the vital role of the fast-growing
fashion and textiles sector in countering the waste pollution crisis gripping the planet. Humanity
generates up to 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, a tally that includes everything from
food to electronics to textiles. Every year, 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced globally. This is
the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothing being incinerated or sent to a landfill every second.
Between 2000 and 2015, clothing production doubled while the duration of garment use decreased 36
per cent.

The fashion and textiles sector accounts for 2–8 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 9 per
cent of microplastic pollution reaching the oceans annually. It also consumes 215 trillion liters of water —
equivalent to 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. An estimated 15,000 chemicals are used in the
textile manufacturing process, and some of these substances accumulate in the environment for decades.

“The fashion and textile sector are fuelling mass overconsumption and waste pollution. And as the
industry continues to rapidly grow, so will its environmental impact, unless a shift towards circularity and
sustainable production and consumption is taken by all actors,” said Jacqueline Alvarez, the Chief of
UNEP’s Chemicals and Health Branch. “The International Day of Zero Waste 2025 will promote a more
circular sector and the recognition of textile waste as a valuable resource.”

The Zero-Waste Day will be observed through events and activities held worldwide, aiming to raise
awareness of national, subnational, regional, and local zero-waste initiatives and their contributions to
achieving sustainable development. UNEP and UN-Habitat invite partners and stakeholders to register
their events and activities using this registration link.

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