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Combat Climate Change

Cascale is committed to driving a minimum 45% reduction of GHGs across the consumer goods value chain by 2030. We catalyze collective action to reduce GHG emissions in line with a 1.5°C scenario by addressing energy transitions, accelerating supply chain decarbonization, and aligning the industry around a unified definition of foundational environmental performance. Our approach to decarbonization aligns brands, manufacturers, and affiliates around clear targets, shared data, and practical pathways to achieve 1.5°C-aligned reductions. Supporting this is the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), science-based target guidance, and adoption of the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM).

Taking Action to Combat Climate Change

Cascale’s Decarbonization program is a critical component of our mission to Combat Climate Change.

We are committed to driving a minimum 45% reduction of GHGs across the consumer goods value chain by 2030. We catalyze collective action to reduce GHG emissions in line with a 1.5°C scenario by addressing energy transitions, accelerating supply chain decarbonization, and aligning the industry around a unified definition of foundational environmental performance.

Cascale requires Brand & Retailer members to set Science-Based Targets (SBTs) and Manufacturer Members to set Science-Aligned Targets (SATs); 67 percent of Cascale members have set or begun the process of setting SBTs or SATs.

Welcoming Cascale members and non-members alike, the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) helps manufacturers develop and validate Science-Aligned Targets (SATs) to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions across the consumer goods industry. To date, MCAP has engaged 85 manufacturers and eight sponsoring brands; 49 targets have been validated, representing a collective reduction potential of over 1.4 billion metric tons of CO2e.

Yet progress is not happening fast enough – especially in manufacturing hubs, primarily located in the Global South, where the impacts of climate change are painfully clear. Cascale recognizes that the urgency of the climate crisis and its compounding effects on workers must be mitigated. Most importantly, successful strategies to address climate-induced risks must be co-created and implemented collaboratively with stakeholders, highlighting manufacturer voices.

Recent Milestones

In 2024, Cascale collaborated with the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), with support from RESET Carbon, on the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR), in order to identify a comprehensive approach to drive measurable progress on decarbonization in the consumer goods industry, within the context of challenges unique to the global textile and apparel supply chain.

The goal was to assess opportunities to accelerate the deployment of decarbonization strategies where they would have the most impact, initially targeting the 10% of facilities — roughly 1800 identified through Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) data, primarily textile wet processing mills (Tier 2) — that account for over 80% of carbon emissions in the supply chain.

Through this collaboration, Cascale and Aii identified opportunities to connect brand commitments with real action at the manufacturing level, creating business opportunities for manufacturers that would drive maximum positive impact.

Cascale also began a series of reports that analyzed relevant macroeconomic and sustainability trends in the countries where many of these facilities are located, including the Vietnam Country Report (April 2025) and Bangladesh Country Report (June 2025); this work will continue through 2026.

In 2025, Cascale hosted a series of roundtables with manufacturing and brand/retail members to gather critical feedback, which will continue to guide the evolution of Cascale’s decarbonization program. Although the IDR is no longer an active initiative, we continue to work closely with Aii and other stakeholders towards shared goals for a sustainable, resilient future.

Cascale will continue to explore with members opportunities to support stronger business partnerships between buyers and suppliers that result in fair and equitable investments in decarbonization strategies. We will continue to leverage Higg FEM data to ensure the prioritization of efforts where they will have the greatest impact. And we will continue to regularly update stakeholders and the wider Cascale community about the evolution of our Decarbonization program.

There’s an urgency for us to tackle the current climate crisis, as a collective action coalition which represents half of the apparel, footwear and textile sector we must address environmental and social issues through collaboration and equal partnership on common grounds. We must take more actions where value chain partners should be equally engaged and motivating each other to drive urgent actions to reduce emissions as a shared objective.

Manufacturer Climate Action Program

Welcoming Cascale members and non-members alike, the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) helps manufacturers develop and validate Science-Aligned Targets (SATs) to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions across the consumer goods industry. To date, MCAP has engaged 85 manufacturers and eight sponsoring brands; 49 targets have been validated, representing a collective reduction potential of over 1.4 billion metric tons of CO2e.

 

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Photo of leaves in rain

Cascale Collaborative Climate Action Programs

FASHION LEAP for CLIMATE

An industry-led initiative founded by ABOUT YOU Group, YOOX NET-A-PORTER, and Zalando, in collaboration with Quantis

Objective: Accelerate climate action and help brand adoption of SBTs

For: Cascale members and non-members

Location: Global

Operation: Cascale member pilot launched in 2024, ongoing

Impact: 55+ brands have participated in the project

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Frequently Asked Questions

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  • What is decarbonization?
    Decarbonization is the process of reducing or removing carbon emissions to deliver the 45 percent absolute reduction needed by 2030 and limit global warming to 1.5°C.
  • What is Foundational Environmental Performance?
    Foundational Environmental Performance (FEP) are good practices a business must demonstrate to operate responsibly and sustainably. Specific criteria, identified in the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), include adhering to common regulatory compliance requirements and establishing a management system to identify and prevent critical environmental risks.
  • What are ‘science-based targets’?
    Developed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a science-based target is described by SBTi as “a clearly defined pathway to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and future-proofing business growth. ‘Science-based’ targets are those that are in line with what climate science deems necessary to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement - limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre industrial levels.”
  • What are science-aligned targets (SATs)?
    SATs do not include Scope 3 emissions. We believe SATs offer a focused first step for membership at the onset of their decarbonization journey, while complementing the broader IDR roadmap and industry ambition.
  • What are Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions?
    Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions are measured across a company’s entire value chain. Scope 1 are emissions from sources the company owns or directly controls. Scope 2 are indirect emissions emitted from the company’s supply chain. Scope 3 emissions reflect upstream and downstream sources, including end of life.