The sustainable apparel industry focuses on creating clothing in ways that are environmentally responsible and socially ethical. This sector aims to reduce negative impacts on the planet by using eco-friendly materials, minimizing water and energy usage, and cutting down carbon emissions during the entire life cycle of an apparel. Circularity is a key concept, promoting the reuse, recycling, and repair of garments to extend their life cycle. Ethical labor practices and transparency across the supply chain are also vital, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions. As consumer awareness grows, brands are increasingly adopting sustainability strategies, setting science-based targets, and investing in innovation. The industry is evolving rapidly, blending fashion with purpose to meet global climate goals and improve the future of our planet. From his very first step into the apparel industry, Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka knew that real value comes from creating harmony between people, the planet, and profit. As the Chief Sustainability Officer at Komar, he leads the company’s mission to become one of the most sustainable apparel organizations in the world by 2030. With a unique combination of academic excellence and hands-on experience, he has played a key role in aligning Komar’s growth with climate goals, transparency, and responsible apparel production.

Guided by Principles, Driven by Purpose

Dr. Thiwanka has always been guided by a powerful idea: a “value-chain view of value-creation.” He believes that if the environment and communities thrive at every stage, from cotton fields to the customer’s closet, then the business will thrive too. At Komar, this principle is brought to life through three core mantras: “Cut tonnes, not corners,” which emphasizes reducing emissions even as the company expands; “Design for loops, not landfills,” meaning every garment is designed with circularity and multiple life cycles in mind; and “Prosperity through partnership,” which ensures that everyone in the value chain from fiber producers to end consumers benefits from the transition. These guiding principles help Komar remain focused and disciplined, especially when difficult trade-offs arise, allowing the company to grow while staying aligned with science-based climate targets aligned with the 1.5 °C pathway and other critical 2030 sustainability goals.

Under Dr. Thiwanka’s leadership, Komar also made a bold and transparent move, publicly committing to a 2030 sustainability strategy and regularly updating stakeholders on progress. This wasn’t just about setting goals; it was about avoiding greenwashing and building trust. It marked a turning point. By openly sharing its journey under the “product” and “planet” pillars, the company deepened its mission and built long-term credibility. Dr. Thiwanka emphasizes the importance of breaking down silos, fostering teamwork across departments, especially with sourcing, because real, lasting change happens only when the entire organization operates as one.

The Rise of the Sustainable Apparel Industry

To Dr. Thiwanka, success goes far beyond profits. He believes true achievement lies in making a measurable, positive impact both environmentally and personally. At a professional level, he tracks six key non-financial indicators that guide Komar’s sustainability journey. These include monitoring the emission-reduction glide-path to ensure carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) reductions are on track with the company’s 2030 and 2050 decarbonization goals. Supplier engagement is a major focus, with all Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers required to follow strict sustainability standards and guidelines, such as Higg FEM and ZDHC MRSL. They receive free training and resources from Komar. The collaborations are already underway with Tier 3 and Tier 4 suppliers to implement similar standards and guidelines. Water conservation plays a vital role as well, with a commitment to reduce potable water usage by 5% by 2030, based on 2023 baselines, both internally and in the supply chain. In terms of ecological impact, Komar aims to restore one unit of habitat for every unit of land (measured in square feet) used by the company by 2030. Another target is to achieve zero landfill of waste by ensuring that no raw material waste from fabrics or trims ends up in landfills. Lastly, Komar is committed to using only certified sustainable fabrics and packaging by 2030. On a personal level, Dr. Thiwanka evaluates his success with two simple yet profound questions he asks himself every quarter: Did Komar’s actions contribute meaningfully to reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry? And, did his leadership empower others to grow and realize more of their potential than he did his own? If he can confidently answer “yes” to both, he considers it a successful quarter.

Navigating Complexity: Building Resilience and Responsibility Across Borders

Dr. Thiwanka’s biggest challenge was aligning Komar’s entire supply chain with its sustainability goals. Suppliers vary widely in their knowledge, tools, and maturity levels. Yet instead of replacing them with new ones, Komar chose a different path, investing in and developing its existing suppliers. This required patience, understanding, and a lot of support. Komar provides free training, shares custom tools, and rewards suppliers who excel in sustainability. These partnerships are built on mutual growth, not pressure. It’s a long journey, but one that has already shown positive results across the supply chain.

At the same time, Komar’s headquarters are in the U.S., but its supply chain stretches across East and South Asia. Staying prepared means staying aware of the ever-changing geopolitical and regulatory environment in these regions. To deal with uncertainty, Komar doesn’t rely on a single plan. Instead, it creates flexible, dynamic strategies backed by skilled teams, digital tools, and artificial intelligence. The company also maintains a regularly updated sustainability risk matrix, allowing it to react early to changing regulations and avoid potential risks before they escalate. This proactive and flexible approach enables Komar to adapt quickly and continue leading sustainably, even in unstable and challenging conditions.

Trailblazing Excellence: From Personal Milestones to a Global Sustainability Vision

One of the proudest moments in Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka’s career came when he became the first and still the only Sri Lankan to serve as Chief Sustainability Officer at a billion-dollar U.S. or EU-based apparel organization that has multiple own brands, private labels, and licensees. This achievement is even more remarkable considering he reached this milestone at just 33 years old, after completing a doctorate and five additional degrees (3 masters and 2 bachelors) all by the age of 31. Yet, for Dr. Thiwanka, this accomplishment isn’t a final destination. It marks the beginning of a larger mission: to drive meaningful, long-term change in the global fashion industry.

His work at Komar reflects a clear and powerful vision, one rooted in shared prosperity, environmental responsibility, and unwavering transparency. Dr. Thiwanka is not just fulfilling the role of a chief sustainability officer; he is redefining what leadership in sustainability looks like. Through bold choices, people-focused leadership, and a commitment to measurable, data-driven strategies, he is guiding Komar toward its ambitious 2030 goals. His journey offers inspiration and a roadmap for anyone who envisions a future where business growth and sustainability move forward hand in hand.

Advice for Future Sustainability Leaders

Dr. Thiwanka is deeply passionate about mentoring the next generation of sustainability professionals, and his advice is grounded in both practicality and experience. He emphasizes the importance of making your purpose measurable, noting that if you can’t track it, it won’t last. He believes in sharing risk with partners, as real partnerships are built on shared responsibility. According to him, it’s essential to value both data and people, since even the best dashboards are meaningless without the right people interpreting them. He encourages viewing failure as an opportunity for learning, describing setbacks as “unplanned R&D.” Staying humble is another key lesson he shares; while qualifications are important, the drive to keep learning matters even more. Above all, he stresses the importance of protecting one’s integrity, as in the world of sustainability, credibility is the most valuable currency.