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Leading fashion and textile event for manufacturers in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan
Mar Apr
30-01
Cascale Forum: Colombo

Register Now! March 30-April 1! Join 500+ manufacturers, suppliers, brands, and industry partners for two days of learning, capability building, and collaboration at the Cascale Forum: Colombo.

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News Updates / At Hirdaramani 2026 Supplier Summit, Scope 3 Decarbonization Next Steps Underway

At Hirdaramani 2026 Supplier Summit, Scope 3 Decarbonization Next Steps Underway

  • MCAP
  • Decarbonization

The virtual summit celebrated Hirdaramani engagement with their suppliers on decarbonization.

February 03, 2026

At the virtual Hirdaramani 2026 Supplier Summit, Cascale played a key role in supplier on-boarding and support for decarbonization.

Hiradaramani has a long-term vision of decarbonization; they are the first apparel manufacturing company in Sri Lanka to secure Net-Zero Standard approval by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) in 2024. They have committed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050.

With more than 150 virtual attendees, the summit celebrated Hirdaramani’s leveling up of its climate commitments, including the development of its Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Program. Already, they are committed to a near-term science-based target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 54.6 percent by 2033 from a 2022 base year under SBTi. Now, the manufacturer aims to additionally reduce its absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services by 32.5 percent. Aligned with SBTi, this program focuses on supplier engagement, understanding and reducing emissions across the group’s full value chain, particularly emissions arising from materials, goods, and services purchased from suppliers.

Hirdaramani Apparel’s managing director Mr. Madhawa Atapattu gave the welcome address, followed by the group’s general manager of sustainability Leonie Vaas, who introduced the Scope 3 session.

Cascale’s senior director of decarbonization Joyce Tsoi and senior member of manufacturing engagement Betty Li gave a presentation on decarbonization. The technical session covered industry decarbonization trends, data requirements, onboarding process, timelines, and support mechanisms for programs such as the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP).

Explaining the urgency of the climate crisis, Tsoi and Li stressed the importance of Hirdaramani’s supplier collaboration to drive industry decarbonization upstream. They explained the role of Cascale as a global industry convenor, with the Higg Index acting as a best-in-class industry harmonized measurement tool in measuring carbon emission across tier 1 to 3 manufacturing facilities. Relying on data aggregation Cascale leverages the data and produces useful industry insights to inform necessary actions required to accelerate decarbonization actions. They emphasized the shared goal in driving collective action at scale.

Headquartered in Kahathuduwa, Hirdaramani Exports International Ltd. is a major apparel manufacturer that operates 20 facilities across Sri Lanka. The manufacturer plays a key role in shaping Cascale’s upcoming Cascale Forum: Colombo March 30 to April 1. 

Interested suppliers can find more information on joining MCAP on Cascale.org.

Press Releases / New Report Finds Apparel Decarbonization Progress Off-Track

New Report Finds Apparel Decarbonization Progress Off-Track

  • Decarbonization
  • Higg FEM
  • Higg Index Tools

Cascale’s State of the Industry 2026 report shares new analysis of verified facility data, shows emissions rising as coal dependence and limited renewable energy adoption slow progress.

January 28, 2026

Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – January 28, 2026: Cascale today released the State of the Industry 2026: Decarbonization Progress in the Apparel, Footwear & Textiles Industry report, finding the sector is not decarbonizing at the pace or scale required to meet global climate targets. The report analyzes verified 2023 and 2024 energy data from the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), with a focus on Tier 1 finished product manufacturing and Tier 2 material manufacturing. Using Cascale’s new Effective Energy Carbon Intensity (EECI) metric, the analysis assesses how effectively the industry is decarbonizing energy use, which remains the dominant source of Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

“This report makes clear that there are no shortcuts to decarbonization,” said Jeremy Lardeau, Senior Vice President, Higg Index at Cascale. “Real progress depends on true value chain collaboration, not sourcing shifts by the brands. The level of investment required to achieve the deep decarbonization measures at facility level means brands will have to step up in a meaningful way. The climate agenda must be seen as an imperative to change the legacy sourcing dynamics of this industry.”

Key Findings

  • Overall decarbonization progress remains slow. Verified facility data shows only marginal improvement in EECI performance over time, far below what is required to meet climate targets.
  • Coal use remains a critical barrier to progress. Coal accounts for 31 percent of total industry energy consumption, remaining unchanged  year-over-year. In Tier 2, coal represents the largest fuel source, accounting for 40 percent of the global energy mix.
  • Renewable energy adoption remains limited and flat. Renewables account for only two percent of total industry energy consumption, unchanged between 2023 and 2024, despite more facilities reporting some renewable energy use.
  • Emissions are highly concentrated. A relatively small number of large, energy-intensive facilities drive a disproportionate share of emissions, indicating that targeted interventions could accelerate progress more effectively than uniform approaches. Cascale encourages brands and suppliers to engage with the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), providing manufacturers with a structured pathway to measure emissions, set science-aligned targets (SATs), and implement reductions.

The findings align with broader global assessments, including recent analysis from the United Nations Environment Programme, which underscores that current policies remain insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Cascale’s report cautions against relocating production based on country averages and emphasizes long-term, collaborative engagement with manufacturers, particularly in Tier 2; to achieve this, supply chain engagement is essential. On March 4 , Cascale will host a member-only webinar that includes a deep dive into the report and a discussion on how EECI can be used by organizations to analyze their supply chains; Cascale members can register on Cascale Connect.

Cascale will publish this State of the Industry report annually to track progress and support collective action. The organization will continue expanding access to data and analytics for members and advancing programs such as the Manufacturer Climate Action Program to support science-aligned targets and measurable emissions reductions.

Download the Report
Publications / State of the Industry 2026: Decarbonization Progress in the Apparel, Footwear & Textiles Industry

State of the Industry 2026: Decarbonization Progress in the Apparel, Footwear & Textiles Industry

  • Decarbonization
  • Higg FEM
  • Higg Index Tools

Cascale’s State of the Industry 2026 report shares new analysis of verified facility data, shows emissions rising as coal dependence and limited renewable energy adoption slow progress.

Download publication
January 28, 2026
News Updates / Inside COP30: Bureau Veritas Manufacturer Decarbonization Playbook

Inside COP30: Bureau Veritas Manufacturer Decarbonization Playbook

  • Industry Event
  • MCAP
  • Decarbonization

Bureau Veritas Manufacturer Decarbonization Playbook includes Cascale contributions, featured at COP30 discussions and webinar.

December 16, 2025

At COP30, Bureau Veritas launched its Manufacturer Decarbonization Strategy Playbook.

This practical resource, developed with key contributions from Cascale, supports manufacturers, including SMEs, in setting and advancing decarbonization targets. The Paris Committee on Capacity-Building (PCCB) recently included the playbook in a small-to-medium enterprise discussion at COP30, where Cascale also participated in an associated Bureau Veritas member webinar.

At the “Decarbonization Playbook for Manufacturers” webinar, speakers included Cascale’s senior director of decarbonization Joyce Tsoi; Apparel Impact Institute’s senior director of sustainable finance and engagement Kristina Elinder Lijas; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit’s head of project (GIZ) Gundolf Klaehn; Gokaldas Exports Limited’s deputy general manager Mahantesh Bangari; and Bureau Veritas’ senior program specialist Hailey Wang, as well as head of decarbonization and cleaner production, Rakesh Vazirani.

The webinar laid the foundation for the decarbonization business case, with an inclusive focus on manufacturer perspectives and cultural nuance. It convened more than 500 participants, with over 40 percent reporting that they are either just beginning their decarbonization journey or are in the early stages of data collection and target-setting.

Participants highlighted the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) as a common industry tool for measuring carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, and noted key barriers to decarbonization including high costs, limited in-house expertise and resources, and the challenge of securing customer support to cover decarbonization investments.

Tsoi offered insights into how Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) accelerates climate action. Welcoming Cascale members and non-members alike, the 18-month MCAP program helps manufacturers across the consumer goods industry develop and validate Science-Aligned Targets (SATs) to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. To date, MCAP has engaged 70 manufacturers with a collective CO2 reduction potential of over 419,000 tCO2e from 16 validated participants.

At a high-level, Tsoi explored the steps manufacturers and suppliers can take today to make progress on decarbonization goals, starting with measurement and baseline setting. She encouraged attendees to understand their current energy usage, fuel types, and carbon footprints in their owned operations and supply chain.

Next, she explored the target-setting approach in greater detail. Her advice: Use standardized, science-based frameworks like those developed for MCAP or by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) For successful implementation, Tsoi recommended manufacturers prioritize and plan impactful, cost-effective actions, and delegate out further responsibilities.

Bangari, representing Gokaldas, a Cascale manufacturer member based in India India, described how participating in MCAP helped the company set science-aligned targets for their Scope 1 and 2 emissions. He described Gokaldas’ sustainability achievements, which include procuring 75 percent renewable energy, improving machinery efficiency, and increasing waste and water recycling rates, among others. Showcased among the certifications in the company’s recent investor report, Gokaldas’ average Higg FEM score was 89 percent.

News Updates / Cascale At STAR Meeting, Asia-Pacific Sports, Outdoor Forum

Cascale At STAR Meeting, Asia-Pacific Sports, Outdoor Forum

  • Decarbonization
  • Industry Event
  • Policy and Legislation

Cascale centers decarbonization, policy leadership at STAR Annual Meeting in China and Asia-Pacific Sports and Outdoor Fashion Forum in Singapore.

Howard Kwong presenting APAC country report
November 27, 2025

Cascale played a leading role at the recent Asia-Pacific Sports and Outdoor Fashion Forum in Singapore and the Sustainable Textiles of the Asian Region (STAR) Annual Meeting in China, highlighting vast collaboration opportunities in decarbonization and policymaking.

At the 2025 STAR Annual Meeting in Humen, Guangdong Province, China, policy and industry leaders from across Asia’s textile and apparel sector convened to exchange best practices. Howard Kwong, senior manager, public affairs APAC, was invited by STAR to join a peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange session to present Cascale’s global policy and public affairs strategy.

In his remarks, Kwong outlined how Cascale works to advance smart, globally harmonized policy that enables credible sustainability action, while equipping members with the tools, data, and guidance they need to navigate fast-evolving regulation. He highlighted recent insights from the Manufacturer Interview Group — a project co-led by Cascale and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) — as well as Cascale’s APAC policy deep dive on corporate supply chain responsibility trends and the newly-established APAC Policy Member Expert Team (MET). Sovichea Saron, STAR’s head of secretariat, is a MET member, reflecting how manufacturer perspectives are integrated into Cascale’s global public affairs work.

Meaningful engagement was key. Throughout the event, Kwong met with the STAR board members and association leaders from China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar to explore deeper collaboration.

 

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In a separate event at the Asia-Pacific Outdoor & Sports Fashion Forum, Joyce Tsoi, Cascale’s senior director, decarbonization program, gave a virtual keynote presentation on the decarbonization and collaboration potential in the outdoor and sporting goods supply chain.

This event is part of the wider programming under the Asia-Pacific Textile & Supply Chain Summit & Expo (APTEXPO). Representing an extensive collaboration, the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) and the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) jointly sponsored the event, with ECV International, and The Sub-Council of Textile Industry (CCPIT TEX) as co-organizers. The Singapore Fashion Council (SFC) also supported as a host association. Speakers joined from across Cascale’s membership, among them Mammut Sports Group AG, Puma, and New Balance.

Based in London and joining remotely, Tsoi’s virtual opening remarks began with a playful connection between an individual’s fitness commitments and a company’s decarbonization targets – pointing out that both require diligence, consistency, and commitment to succeed. Then she highlighted the top three systematic industry challenges that stop us from moving at the pace and scale necessary to combat climate change. The first was stalled engagement of Tier 2 materials production facilities, followed by few commitments from brands and retailers. This ultimately creates a lack of true business partnership. With that, Tsoi underscored the need for brands and manufacturers to have shared goals, vision, and responsibilities.

Her presentation then moved into hard-hitting industry carbon emission data, infused with actionable and regional insights from the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM). Her final points offered a hopeful resolution, highlighting the successes of manufacturers, reflecting eight sponsoring brands, that were achieved through participating in Cascale’s Manufacturers Climate Action Program (MCAP): To date, MCAP has engaged 85 manufacturers in 19 countries with a collective CO2 reduction potential of over 1,429,087 tCO2e from 38 validated participants. She ended with a call for collaboration, highlighting Cascale’s membership, including the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and the European Outdoor Group (EOG).

 

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Blogs / With MCAP, Manufacturers Get a Boost in CO2 Reduction Potential

With MCAP, Manufacturers Get a Boost in CO2 Reduction Potential

  • MCAP
  • Decarbonization

Cascale’s Joyce Tsoi shares how the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) is driving collective action at scale and highlights Cascale’s commitment to scaling MCAP globally — empowering manufacturers to accelerate their decarbonization journeys and take swift, impactful climate action.

Black and white headshot of Joyce Tsoi
Joyce Tsoi
July 02, 2025

With 2030 just a short five years away, manufacturers are looking for support and resources to scale up their ambitions to decarbonize while meeting ever-changing brand requests.

There isn’t enough time in the day to answer the myriad of data and auditing requests, or order inquiries, and yet they are tasked with making step changes in CO2 reduction. Where does one even begin?

As part of a convening force for fashion and consumer goods with a variety of manufacturer members, Cascale decisively launched its Decarbonization Program in 2021, as part of a serious approach towards combatting climate change. When I first joined Cascale three years ago, I knew the task at hand would require significant attention and a more open and educational approach not unlike the environmental management and auditing courses I am used to teaching at the University of Hong Kong.

With that in mind, we got to work in building the Decarbonization Program and the basis of it was beginning with manufacturers first – not last. We launched our Manufacturer Climate Action Program (or MCAP) in 2023, not long after.

MCAP is an important part of Cascale’s Decarbonization Program – driving collective action at scale by supporting decarbonization efforts together, directly, with member and non-member manufacturers in reducing emission 45 percent by 2030. We know that more than 76 percent of the value chain emissions come from manufacturing. This is what we are focusing on. Out of that 76 percent figure, nine percent comes from Tier 1 product assembly units, while Tier 2 material production mills account for more than 50 percent of the emissions, and Tier 3 materials processing accounts for 15 percent. By pinpointing emissions hotspots in the value chain and working hand-in-hand with manufacturers, we find the most effective outcomes, and hope to build on the program even more from the 70 participating manufacturers engaged in 2025.

In its essence, MCAP represents a cornerstone of decarbonization, helping manufacturers establish, measure, and refine their greenhouse gas emissions baseline in order to set reduction targets and track their progress. It’s a step-by-step process, MCAP facilitators provide guidance direction for manufacturers’ decarbonization roadmaps so that both short-term needs and long-term ambitions are realized. Since launching, MCAP has grown to over 70 participants, in 2025, and garnered unique and lasting sustainability use cases for our manufacturers. According to our analysis of the MCAP program using data from program participants, the CO2 reduction potential is an estimated 419,607.92 tCO2e from 16 validated companies.

It’s about putting this data into action. We have a mission here at Cascale to continue scaling MCAP to support manufacturers globally to accelerate their science-aligned targets and support and encourage them to take swift climate action. Additionally, MCAP provides manufacturers with the tools and resources to meet growing expectations from brands and regulators, offering third-party validation, climate risk assessments, and best practices to ensure measurable progress. But more than that, it’s about what our manufacturer participants are saying.

And they are sharing more and more about their positive experiences in the program. At the Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City, My Nga Trade Co. Ltd.’s director of events, Cherry Liu, offered a glimpse behind the scenes as an MCAP participant.

 

“Our team gained valuable training on sustainability best practices and carbon accounting standards.One of the most valuable [features] in MCAP was gaining guidance and support throughout our emissions reduction journey. The program helped us move from intention to action, goals into a clear, data-driven plan. Cascale’s support in setting and validating emissions targets, through training, provided necessary knowledge… The training was helping our team to get knowledge in identifying and analyzing climate-related risks, clearly identifying heat-related physical risks as a top concern for our facilities – such as roof insulation and improved ventilation. These are now part of our  ongoing resilience strategy,” said Liu. “If you are just beginning your sustainability journey the most important advice is start small, stay consistent, and focus on data. Here is what we’ve learned: Don’t wait for perfection, you don’t need all the answers to begin with, start with what you can measure now – such as energy use, water, or material waste – and build from there. Invest in awareness education across your team. A shared understanding for sustainability goals helps drive change from the ground up, using available tools such as the Higg Index for tracking.”

 

–Cherry Liu, Director of Events, My Nga Trade Co. Ltd.

 

It will take all value chain players to scale up MCAP and wider decarbonization aims – including brands.

Brands can be involved in various ways: they can nominate their manufacturers to join MCAP as well as directly sponsor their suppliers to be part of MCAP. We do have multiple brands that are co-investing and cosharing the program cost with their shared manufacturers.

One thing is certain. Ultimately, and for the industry to reach its ambitious goals, we have to recognize the cost burden can’t fall on any one group. We must support manufacturers’ ambitions to decarbonize because it’s often their communities and their facilities on the front lines of the climate crisis.

Those eager to explore MCAP can submit their interest to join the next cohort, kicking off in October 2025. Learn more about MCAP’s role in driving sustainable change by registering for the next MCAP Information Session, and learn more about MCAP on our website.

Press Releases / Cascale Podcast Season Spotlights Consumer Goods Supply Chain Decarbonization

Cascale Podcast Season Spotlights Consumer Goods Supply Chain Decarbonization

  • Source of Good Podcast
  • Decarbonization
April 22, 2025

“Source of Good” interviews experts – including Lewis Perkins of Aii – on sustainable transformation to a low-carbon economy.

Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – April 22, 2025: With a thematic focus on consumer goods supply chain decarbonization, the new season of Cascale’s “Source of Good” podcast reflects the nonprofit organization’s commitment to combat climate change. Kicking off with Lewis Perkins of Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), released today, “Source of Good” will share actionable insights and inspiring stories that drive the urgent transformation needed in the consumer goods industry. Across 10 bi-weekly, 20-minute episodes, listeners will discover how innovative companies – including Tapestry, Primaloft, ITL, and more – use Cascale’s Higg Index tools and other pioneering practices with the aim to achieve a 45% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, ultimately aligning with a 1.5°C future.

“Our work with Cascale is about more than metrics – it’s about building momentum for real, lasting change,” said Lewis Perkins, president at Aii. “Together, we’re shaping a shared roadmap to help our industry cut emissions. I’m inspired by what’s possible when we align around bold action and collective responsibility for a better industry and healthier planet.”

Building on the inaugural season successes – including a conversation with Rick Ridgeway, legendary mountaineer, environmentalist, writer, and Cascale co-founder – “Source of Good” set the standard for industry dialogue on sustainable practices. With subscribers in over 50 countries, listeners can find the podcast on all major streaming platforms and follow the journey of industry change through each insightful episode.

“By spotlighting supply chain decarbonization, we’re addressing one of today’s most urgent challenges—while sharing powerful stories of transformation. These episodes showcase tangible strategies that inspire collective action and demonstrate how our industry can unite for a sustainable future,” said Lee Green, vice president of Marketing & Communications at Cascale.

“Source of Good” is produced by Hueman Group Media, a Webby-winning media company that produces high-caliber podcasts for social change and impact. The show is hosted by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, Cascale’s communications director and a former journalist. “Source of Good” is available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and more.

For more information about Cascale and to listen to the Source of Good podcast, visit cascale.org/resources/podcast/ or join our email mailing list.

Revisit Source of Good Season 1

The Power of Eucalyptus with Sappi Verve

Did you know that eucalyptus trees grow more than six feet in a single year? It’s true! And it’s one of the reasons Sappi Verve uses them to make its dissolving pulp, which is transformed into viscose and other products. On today’s episode, Krelyne Andrew, Sappi Verve’s General Manager of Sustainability, explains the many benefits of eucalyptus trees and the company’s other responsible practices.

January 23, 2025

From Farm to Closet: the Icon Coat by Eileen Fisher

The timeless style Eileen Fisher is known for isn’t just a product of its creative design. It’s also linked to the brand’s sustainable sourcing and practices. In this episode, Susan Scow, Sustainability Specialist at Eileen Fisher, breaks down the steps to produce one iconic piece.

December 18, 2024
  • Source of Good Podcast
  • Source of Good Podcast

How to Make Clothing From Wood with Lenzing and Reformation

Trees are more than just bark, branches, and leaves. They contain a secret ingredient that is critical to a more sustainable fashion industry. In this episode, Thomas Matiz, Product Sustainability Specialist at Lenzing Group, takes us into a fairy tale world where responsibly managed forests become fabric. Except, it’s not magic. It’s science.

December 04, 2024
Press Releases / Cascale’s Higg FEM Reveals Opportunities for Low-Carbon Transition in Vietnam

Cascale’s Higg FEM Reveals Opportunities for Low-Carbon Transition in Vietnam

  • Decarbonization
  • Higg FEM
  • Higg Index Tools

Vietnam is emerging as a critical player in the global shift to low-carbon manufacturing—and new insights from Cascale’s Higg FEM show why.

Vietnamese landscape; lush green rice fields
April 17, 2025

Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR) could help deliver on sustainability goals as consumer goods manufacturing continues to drive GDP growth, projected at 6.5% in 2025.

Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – April 17, 2025: Issued today, the “Vietnam Country Report: Macroeconomic, Socioeconomic, and Industry Analysis” report, developed by Cascale with support from the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), highlights the evolving macroeconomic landscape, sustainability challenges facing apparel and footwear manufacturing, and the rapid expansion of the consumer goods market in Vietnam. A strong economic outlook coupled with bold sustainability initiatives reveals a country poised to play a crucial role in global decarbonization efforts, even as tariffs threaten to put 5.5% of Vietnam’s GDP at risk and raise prices for American consumers (New York Times, April 6). Tariffs and other key topics impacting Vietnam will be on the agenda at the Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City on May 14-15, as Cascale members and non-members alike – including manufacturers, leading brands, service providers, and supply chain partners – come together for an immersive event to address urgent sustainability challenges and opportunities. The report includes critical analysis of data from Cascale’s Higg Facility Environment Module (FEM) tool, exclusively available on Worldly. It is the first in a series of actionable reports filtering Higg FEM insights through a regional lens.

In 2023, over 1,200 verified Higg FEM submissions showed coal exacerbates carbon emissions in the region: 12% of apparel and footwear facilities use coal for energy, while 94% rely on electricity purchased from Vietnam’s coal-dependent grid. Although renewable energy accounts for less than 2% of the sector’s energy use, the analysis underscores opportunities for transformation to a low-carbon economy, including through the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR) developed by Cascale and Aii.

The report shows Vietnam can couple growth with sustainable manufacturing. Vietnam’s economy is expected to grow by 6.5% in 2025, outpacing regional peers. The manufacturing sector continues to be a key driver, contributing 23.88% to GDP in 2023. Additionally, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remains robust, reaching US$31.4 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, signaling investor confidence in Vietnam’s economic resilience. Employing around three million workers and generating an estimated US$71 billion in export revenues for 2024, the apparel and footwear sector is a vital component of Vietnam’s economy but faces significant sustainability challenges, including high energy consumption and carbon emissions. With commitments in place for a 65-70% increase in renewable energy by 2045 – reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a projected 70-80% – Vietnam is committed to supply chain decarbonization, in line with the IDR.

The report brings Cascale and Aii’s IDR into focus as a potential solution. By uniting manufacturers, brands, retailers, and stakeholders around shared goals, the IDR emphasizes collective accountability and pre-competitive collaboration to accelerate systemic change across the supply chain. With a science-based target of reducing supply chain emissions by 45% by 2030, the IDR drives measurable progress through various interventions, solutions, and programs. The IDR ensures resources are targeted, so low-carbon sourcing and other benefits can be realized. This means prioritizing action in the 10% of facilities across the textile and apparel supply chain – including some in Vietnam – that account for over 80% of global manufacturing emissions. By aligning with these initiatives, facilities in Vietnam can play a pivotal role in the global transition to a low-carbon economy

“This isn’t merely about compliance—it’s about long-term competitiveness,” said Colin Browne, Cascale CEO. “Brands increasingly prefer suppliers who meet robust sustainability standards. Manufacturers investing in sustainability today will secure long-term brand partnerships tomorrow.”

Publications / Vietnam Country Report: Macroeconomic, Socioeconomic, and Industry Analysis

Vietnam Country Report: Macroeconomic, Socioeconomic, and Industry Analysis

  • Decarbonization
Download publication
April 17, 2025
News Updates / Cascale Explores How MCAP Can Accelerate Climate Action for Manufacturers at Komar Events

Cascale Explores How MCAP Can Accelerate Climate Action for Manufacturers at Komar Events

  • Manufacturing
  • MCAP
  • Decarbonization
March 31, 2025

Joyce Tsoi, senior director of the Decarbonization Program at Cascale, recently presented at the virtual Komar Supply Chain Sustainability Forums in Vietnam and Cambodia.

The event brought together Komar Brands’ Tier 1 and 2 suppliers and featured presentations from industry experts on supplier best practices and brainstorming sessions on environmental and product sustainability initiatives.

Tsoi kicked off her presentation by giving an overview of Cascale’s origins and its vision to convene stakeholders across the industry on a pre-competitive basis to develop a common approach to measuring sustainability. After an overview of Cascale’s growth in membership and evolution, Tsoi highlighted Cascale’s strategic pillars — Combat Climate Change and Support Decent Work for All — as critical to the organization’s renewed focus.

Decarbonization remains a critical focus for the industry. In Vietnam and Cambodia alone, we’ve seen only 27 companies committed to set science-based targets (SBTs), and out of those, 12 companies have validated targets from the apparel, footwear, and textile sector. From Higg FEM data insight, we need to continue to strive for significant actions in South East Asia. Without significant actions and progress, the economic,  environmental, and social impacts will continue to escalate.

Tsoi shared Cascale’s efforts to combat climate change and accelerate industry-wide decarbonization through the new Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR), developed in partnership with Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) and with the support of RESET Carbon. She noted how science-based targets (SBTs) and science-aligned targets (SATs) provided a focused first step for companies embarking on their decarbonization journey, complementing the broader IDR roadmap. IDR is a bold, industry-wide initiative to tackle supply chain emissions at scale, aiming to decarbonize global manufacturing from tier 1 finished production assembly, tier 2 material production to tier 3 raw material processing facilities.

Central to IDR, Tsoi highlighted the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) framework and how Cascale works with manufacturers to commit and set SATs for validation, evaluate their climate risks, develop a decarbonization plan, and communicate progress with stakeholders. She detailed the program’s benefits, including peer-to-peer learning, best practice sharing in the industry, as well as technical advisory support, training, and guidance. She shared how capacity-building programs – such as MCAP – enable knowledge and skills to be scaled to support manufacturers step-by-step in their target-setting process to support developing their decarbonization plan.

In tandem, Tsoi emphasized the importance of leveraging tools such as the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) in establishing a firm environmental foundation for effective action. With this accurate energy and carbon baseline measurement, companies can determine their focus on tangible energy and carbon reduction opportunities, develop an action plan to take necessary actions, and achieve meaningful progress. Delving deeper into the Higg FEM, Tsoi shared key insights on its adoption in facilities in Vietnam and Cambodia, which showed a significant growth, with more facilities recognizing the Higg FEM as a core tool for measuring environmental performance.

Lastly, she noted the critical value of responsible purchasing practices in moving the industry forward, highlighting Cascale’s recent purchase of key assets of Better Buying Institute (BBI) as a testament of its commitment to advance responsible purchasing practices across the consumer goods industry.

Tsoi concluded her presentation by inviting attendees to register for the Cascale Forum, which will take place  May 14-15 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The two-day event will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, brands, retailers, and key industry stakeholders to drive actionable solutions for decarbonization, environmental performance, responsible purchasing practices, and audit fatigue.