Cascale shared MCAP and Higg FEM learnings at The Komar Supplier Sustainability Forum.
The Komar Supplier Sustainability Forum recently convened 70 participants from across the consumer goods industry in China. Cascale’s speakers included Nicole Lee-Kauer, manager, Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP); and Peony Tam, manager, Global Membership Development APAC.
Key Takeaways
With a global reach of 250 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, Komar has made public decarbonization commitments, including to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 27.5 percent by 2030. In a dedicated decarbonization session, Cascale’s Lee-Kauer shared the importance of MCAP to help Komar’s Chinese suppliers get started in their decarbonization journey.
Lee-Kauer and Tam were joined by Tiffany Leung, customer success associate – Hong Kong at Worldly, and together they encouraged suppliers to transform data from the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), delivered through Worldly’s global technology platform, into business value, while empowering them to take greater ownership for their sustainability performance. The session highlighted useful resources like the Higg Index Learning Center, an open resource that shares practical guidance and operational examples for utilizing the tool. Rather than a tick-box exercise or response to brand-driven demand, suppliers were encouraged to understand that accurate data can support their own operational improvement and long-term business value.
The session also highlighted ongoing confusion. In a quick poll, the majority of attendees were unclear about the shared relationship between Worldly and Cascale. The speakers clarified their complementary roles within the ecosystem: The Higg Index frameworks, modules, and methodologies are stewarded and governed by Cascale and implemented globally through the Worldly sustainability and supply chain intelligence platform.
In the presentation, Lee-Kauer and Tam emphasized that Cascale offers both a like-minded and committed sustainability community and mutual support network for manufacturers. They highlighted the scale and relevance of Cascale as a community, showcasing a breadth of brand and manufacturer members.
Cascale’s MCAP program celebrates the graduation of 52 manufacturers advancing measurable emissions reductions across supply chains; Everlane lauds suppliers.
Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – April 29, 2026: Cascale today announced a major milestone for its Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), celebrating the recent graduation of 52 textile, apparel, and footwear manufacturers, following completion of the program.
MCAP Graduation, At A Glance:
“Huge congratulations to these 52 participating manufacturers who have completed MCAP reaching this milestone is a testament to their commitment and ambition,” said Joyce Tsoi, senior director of the decarbonization program at Cascale. “These graduates are not only committing and setting science-aligned targets for their scope 1 and 2, they are now equipped with a range of climate capabilities to accelerate climate action as well as becoming more climate resilence. The MCAP Decarbonization roadmap lays out a clear pathway, a practical means of what and how they can tangibly achieve their emission targets by actively implementing interventions that will deliver measurable emissions reductions. The climate risk training and assessment has equipped them with knowledge and strategic foresight necessary to enhance their risk management and operational resilience. This is what meaningful climate action looks like in practice.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate two of our suppliers’ graduation from Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program,” said Michi Fried, senior manager of sustainability at Everlane. “Earning this recognition is no small undertaking, and it reflects the depth of commitment our suppliers have made to decarbonizing their operations. It also speaks to the kind of partnerships we strive to build at Everlane: ones rooted in a shared belief that a more responsible future for our industry starts within our supply chain. Knowing our suppliers have now validated targets to reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions is exactly the kind of concrete progress that raises the bar for the whole industry, and the momentum we need to meet the scale of the climate challenge.”
MCAP Impact
Over the course of the 18-month program, MCAP equips manufacturers with a comprehensive suite of tools, training, financing support, guidance, and climate risk assessments to accelerate meaningful climate action. The graduates are first to complete MCAP’s structured, science-aligned pathway to decarbonization.
The first two graduating cohorts, which celebrated in a virtual ceremony hosted by Cascale, included 52 manufacturers; eight Cascale Brand and Retailer members are actively supporting their manufacturers. Graduates have measured their emissions, set science-aligned targets for Scope 1 and 2, and begun implementing reduction strategies, demonstrating leadership in the transition to a low-carbon textile, apparel, and footwear industry.
Collectively, participating facilities are on a pathway toward approximately 1.6 million tCO2e in emissions reductions – equivalent to the annual emissions from more than 326,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles. The program also positions participants to continue advancing decarbonization efforts beyond graduation, annually measuring and reporting their decarbonization progress, strengthening long-term resilience in an evolving sustainability landscape.
New MCAP cohorts are launching soon! Manufacturers and brands can register for a free information session.
Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk
The virtual summit celebrated Hirdaramani engagement with their suppliers on decarbonization.
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.
Bureau Veritas Manufacturer Decarbonization Playbook includes Cascale contributions, featured at COP30 discussions and webinar.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) helps manufacturers to set credible climate targets aligned with science
Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) helps manufacturers to set credible climate targets aligned with science
Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – March 25, 2025: Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), a vital initiative that supports manufacturers globally to begin their decarbonization journey to set Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction targets emissions, will broaden its reach to welcome new participants in 2025. MCAP is expanding this year with two new cohorts, offering more manufacturers – both Cascale members and non-members – the opportunity to advance their multi-year decarbonization efforts.
Launched in 2024, the 18-month program offers a focused first step for manufacturers looking to build their decarbonization journey. MCAP complements the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR), developed by Cascale and Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) as a comprehensive approach to drive measurable progress on decarbonization. Under Cascale’s “Combat Climate Change” pillar, these programs aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the global consumer goods industry by 45 percent by 2030.
MCAP’s first two cohorts included 58 manufacturers and seven nominating brands, working together to develop and set Science-Aligned Targets (SATs)—clear, credible goals aligned with global climate science. All 18 participants from MCAP’s first cohort have successfully submitted their targets for validation, representing a significant milestone for the program. Once validated, these targets will be publicly showcased on the MCAP disclosure dashboard, aligning with transparency practices of leading frameworks like Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).
“Sustainability is at the heart of ITL Group’s operations,” said Jimmy Christopher, SVP Group Sustainability and Innovation, ITL Group. “Through MCAP, we received invaluable guidance and a clear roadmap, allowing us to confidently validate our climate targets. The collaborative approach made the process smooth and effective. We’re proud to support MCAP’s vital work in driving meaningful climate action across the fashion value chain.”
Through MCAP, manufacturers are trained to develop their GHG inventory, identify high emission facilities in their operations, set SATs, and connect with like-minded organizations. MCAP participants benefit from expert-led training in climate risk assessment, providing an opportunity for manufacturers to identify risks based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios.
“Supported by PwC, we conducted the physical climate risk training to share common climate risks and mitigation strategies,” said Joyce Tsoi, Sr. Director, Decarbonization Program at Cascale. “Recognized as best practice by leading global frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the CDP, and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), many jurisdictions are requiring organizations to disclose their climate-related risks. We’re pleased that more than half of participating manufacturers are undergoing a climate risk assessment after the training sessions.”
With a commitment to credibility, MCAP collaborates with third-party validators and aligns with the SBTi framework, incorporating the latest IPCC science. MCAP is open to all manufacturers looking to start their decarbonization journey or wish to accelerate the adoption of science-aligned GHG reduction targets within their Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Interested parties can learn more about the program in the next MCAP information session, or enroll directly. For more information, visit Cascale’s website.
Joyce Tsoi, senior director of the Decarbonization Program at Cascale, recently presented at the Bureau Veritas 3rd Sustainability and Supply Chain Quality Transformation Summit hosted by Rakesh Vazirani, director of decarbonization supply chain sustainability at Bureau Veritas.
The virtual event brought together brands and retailers committed to reducing carbon emissions, with many also including Scope 3 (upstream supply chain) targets.
A Cascale member, Bureau Veritas is a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services. It helps its clients improve their performances by offering services and innovative solutions to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure, and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and social responsibility.
Tsoi kicked off her presentation by noting Cascale’s unique position as a global non-profit alliance to drive collective action to reduce climate impacts across the industry. She shared common challenges faced by factories and countries when developing science-based targets, noting the complex and fragmented nature of the supply chain and highlighting the relevance of mapping out upstream and downstream suppliers.
After emphasizing the importance of engaging with stakeholders across the value chain, Tsoi recommended it’s doable to set science-aligned targets (SATs) by identifying data owners and existing tools and platforms such as Higg FEM to gather facility-specific data from tier 1 to 3 that produce major emissions. She shared that while most manufacturers might not have a complete data set of the whole value chain from the start of the target-setting process, this is fine. It’s acceptable to use secondary data or life cycle inventory data to estimate emissions in the absence of complete data using the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI). Very often, companies can gather more accurate data and insights over time and adjust their targets accordingly.
Tsoi highlighted that the Scope 1 direct emissions and Scope 2 indirect emissions were good levels for collecting concrete data and shared feedback from Cascale members, many of whom found the data collection and consolidation process is easier if their facilities and their upstream suppliers had already reported through the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM). Tsoi noted the difficulty manufacturers faced in emission accounting is the lack of in-house knowledge and expertise. She emphasized the need to develop capacity-building programs for manufacturers, like Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), to ensure the knowledge and skills can be scaled to support them step-by-step from target-setting process to eventually developing their decarbonization plan
Following an overview of Cascale and the Higg Index, Tsoi shared more information on MCAP, an initiative that provides a stepwise, intermediate, and pragmatic approach to accelerating target setting for manufacturers. She also shared insight on the origins and evolution of the program, highlighting Cascale’s collaboration with Nike to build and continuously improve, with the goal of evolving the program to become an industry standard.
Tsoi highlighted MCAP’s 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 shared details of benefits, including peer-to-peer learning and best practice sharing in the industry, as well as technical advisory support, training, and guidance. She also detailed Cascale’s work with industry partners such as Apparel Impact Institute (aii) on financing opportunities.
For brands, Tsoi highlighted how MCAP provides a structured approach for them to engage and support manufacturers in setting SATs and getting started on climate action. She shared how this common approach to engaging with strategic suppliers to set targets reduced duplication of programs and allowed for cost-sharing between brands and manufacturers.
Asserting the importance of buy-in from top management and decision-makers, Tsoi shared the need for sufficient resources to support manufacturers in setting SATs and embarking on their decarbonization journeys, emphasizing the importance of having a clear target to track progress and move forward.
Finally, Tsoi recommended that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) follow a streamlined target-setting route with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which facilitates a focus on measuring,setting and validating targets for their scope 1 and 2 emissions. She concluded her presentation by urging companies to take action and invited them to register their interest in learning more about MCAP and get the support they need to get started.
MCAP empowers manufacturers to lead on climate action for a sustainable future.
MCAP empowers manufacturers to lead on climate action for a sustainable future
Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – October 3, 2024:
In its first year, Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) has expanded to engage over 60 manufacturers in the fight against climate change, the organization announced today. MCAP is a pivotal initiative that unites manufacturers worldwide to combat climate change across the consumer goods industry, driving sustainable change through science-aligned targets (SATs). As an integral part of the Decarbonization Program, MCAP welcomes Cascale members and non-members alike. The organization recently released a data-driven decarbonization roadmap showing that 1,500 manufacturing facilities in nine countries account for 80% of the textile, apparel, and footwear industry’s carbon emissions.
MCAP’s mission is to significantly reduce emissions by enabling manufacturers to start their decarbonization journey faster, equipping them with critical resources, guidance, and collaborative opportunities. The program provides an intermediate pathway to measure carbon emissions and develop science-aligned climate reduction targets for scope 1 and 2, or direct operations. Through its Decarbonization Program, Cascale’s objective is to cut global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the textile, apparel, and footwear industry by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, with the ultimate goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Through MCAP, manufacturers are empowered to lead the charge on global climate action, not simply by setting targets, but by increasing critical understanding of their climate risks in order to develop a robust decarbonization plan and help define actions to mitigate their impacts and enhance climate resilience,” said Joyce Tsoi, Senior Director, Decarbonization Program at Casacle. “Together, we are forging a sustainable future where innovation aligns with responsibility, meeting manufacturers where they are in their sustainability journey and ensuring they have the tools to make a lasting impact.”
Over the past year, Cascale has bolstered program offerings, adding the MCAP helpdesk, MCAP Communication & Disclosure Guidelines, Disclosure Dashboard, and targeted training sessions. Based on their expertise on MCAP-related topics, including GHG inventory development, target setting process and criteria, and target evaluation, four external firms were selected to serve as validators for MCAP targets: Bureau Veritas, Leadership and Sustainability, SGS, and TÜV Rheinland. Cascale provides oversight to ensure consistency across validations.
“MCAP provided us with clear and practical tools and guidelines on how to reduce GHG emissions and develop strategies to achieve our goals,” said Grace Lee, CSR Director at Yakjin Trading Corporation. “MCAP is not just about protecting the environment; it is a crucial step towards creating a sustainable future.”
“I am honored to have participated in the pilot MCAP validation as a validator from TÜV Rheinland. Collaborating with the manufacturers to help them better understand MCAP standards and set science-aligned targets aligned with the MCAP criteria and the 1.5 °C pathway of the Paris Agreement was a great experience”, said Jim Yuan, Assistant Project Manager at TÜV Rheinland. “MCAP offers a robust framework, providing useful support and clear criteria. By participating in the first MCAP validation, manufacturers can contribute to global climate action in line with the latest climate science. I believe that more and more manufacturers will join this initiative in the future, accelerating the sustainable transition of the textile industry.”
Sophia Wolf, Sustainability Manager, Leadership & Sustainability, said, “We are proud to have met the expectations of MCAP participants and Cascale, and to contribute to the success of the MCAP, which is driving meaningful industry change.”
ABOUT CASCALE
Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.
By embracing initiatives like MCAP, Gap Inc. helps its suppliers set science-aligned targets to significantly reduce GHG emissions and drive meaningful environmental change across the industry.
Gap Inc. has pledged to reduce its environmental footprint through innovative initiatives and collaborative efforts, such as Cascale’s Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), which accelerates the adoption of science-aligned targets (SATs) and fosters a culture of collaborative sustainability within the consumer goods industry.
Gap Inc.’s 2023 ESG Report highlights significant progress toward its sustainability goals, demonstrating the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact. The report outlines two major emissions-related targets:
Additionally, Gap Inc. set a goal for 80 percent of its sourcing to be allocated to green-rated factories by 2025. This goal was surpassed in 2023, with 87 percent of business spending allocated to green-rated factories.
These milestones reflect Gap Inc.’s dedication to sustainability and its proactive approach to environmental stewardship across its operations and supply chain.
Central to Gap Inc.’s sustainability strategy is active engagement with suppliers. Recognizing that meaningful change requires collaborative efforts, Gap Inc. coordinated with three key suppliers — Hansae Co Ltd, Makalot Industrial Co Ltd, and Yakjin Trading Corp — to engage in MCAP. After participating in MCAP, the three suppliers completed setting their SATs, and their targets were validated by either TÜV Rheinland, BV, or SGS. The validated targets have been reviewed and approved by Cascale, and their MCAP status will be publicly disclosed on the MCAP Disclosure Dashboard.
MCAP is a pivotal initiative within Cascale’s Decarbonization Program, uniting manufacturers worldwide to combat climate change in the consumer goods industry. MCAP drives sustainable change through science-aligned targets (SATs), aiming for a 45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This effort is aligned with the goal of limiting global temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Gap Inc.’s engagement with its suppliers, MCAP, and the Higg Index tools underscores its commitment to sustainability and climate action. By working closely with suppliers like Hansae, Markalot, and Yakjin, Gap Inc. has achieved significant environmental improvements. These efforts highlight the spirit of collaboration and dedication within the consumer goods industry, showcasing the impactful results of strategic supplier engagement to combat climate change.
Gap Inc.’s Supplier Sustainability program focuses on social and environmental issues. It uses remediation practices and a compliance rating system to incentivize suppliers to implement proper labor, health, safety, and environmental standards. This approach aims to protect and support workers, improve air and water quality, increase energy efficiency, and minimize violations across the supply chain.
Initially, Gap Inc.’s Supplier Sustainability team focused on Tier 1 of the supply chain but is now expanding efforts to Tier 2 and 3 suppliers. They use industry tools like the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) Converged Assessment Framework and the Higg Index Facility Environmental Module (FEM) to assess and collaborate with suppliers to develop capacity-building and efficiency programs.
Gap, Inc. continues to lead by example, demonstrating that meaningful change is possible when industry leaders and their partners work together toward common goals. By engaging with MCAP and its strategic suppliers and using the Higg Index tools, Gap Inc. has made significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint and fostering a sustainable supply chain. This proactive approach sets a benchmark for others in the industry, contributing to a more sustainable future for all.
