Accepting nominations for the 2025 Board of Directors election from April 21 to May 9, 2025
Cascale has officially opened nominations for its 2025 Board of Directors Election. The Board plays a critical role in charting the organization’s strategic direction and ensuring its financial integrity through rigorous oversight and fair representation. Committed to inclusivity and balanced representation, the nine-member Board is structured to include three directors each from Cascale’s brand & retailer (including holding groups), manufacturer, and affiliate caucus groups.
The nomination window is a three-week period from April 21 through May 9, 2025. Senior leaders with a proven record as executives or board members and strong financial acumen are invited to submit their candidacies during this time. Candidates should also be committed to Cascale’s strategic pillars—combating climate change and supporting decent work for all..
Key Dates for the 2025 Board Election Process:
The election process is overseen by the 2025 Governance and Nominations Committee (GNC), chaired by Harsh Saini, a global supply chain and sustainability/ESG expert. The committee also includes Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair of TAL Apparel and board director for the manufacturer caucus, and Fiona Sadler, global head of responsible sourcing at Marks & Spencer and board director for the brand & retailer caucus. Together, they ensure strict adherence to Cascale’s bylaws and maintain the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
Eligible candidates—both members and non-members—are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to shape Cascale’s future. Interested parties should review the nomination requirements and submit their application via the 2025 Board of Directors Nominations Form.
For further details on the nomination process or additional inquiries, please contact elections@cascale.org.
Leadership appointments advance Cascale’s focus on more tailored, equitable member engagement and industry-wide collaboration.
Leadership appointments advance Cascale’s focus on more tailored, equitable member engagement and industry-wide collaboration.
Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – January 31, 2024: As part of the ongoing evolution of its member engagement and governance model, Cascale has expanded its membership engagement team to include Alexandra Rieger, senior director, manufacturer membership, and Joleen Ong, senior director, brand & retailer membership. This new structure reflects Cascale’s commitment to enhancing member engagement through a more tailored and equitable approach to serving the needs of its diverse membership. Alexandra Rieger and Joleen Ong bring extensive expertise in sustainability, supply chain dynamics, and human rights, and their appointments strengthen Cascale’s capacity to deliver meaningful support to members and drive impactful outcomes across the value chain.
The shift demonstrates Cascale’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive decision-making for all members, further elevating supplier and manufacturer voices while maintaining robust support for brand and retailer, and affiliate members. By fostering equitable partnerships and balancing the diverse needs of all stakeholders, Cascale is better positioned than ever to lead the consumer goods industry toward collaboration, regulatory alignment, and sustainability goals.
Andrew Martin, executive vice president at Cascale, commented, “We’re so excited to welcome Alexandra and Joleen to the Cascale team as we strengthen our commitment to more tailored and equitable member engagement. Their leadership will bring fresh perspectives, deepen our collaboration with members, and help us address the complex challenges facing the industry. With their vast experience and depth of expertise, Cascale is better positioned to empower members and advance meaningful progress across sustainability, innovation, and equitable partnership.”
Alexandra Rieger will oversee all aspects of manufacturer member engagement and impact, ensuring manufacturers are empowered with tools, resources, and support to drive industry transformation. She has cultivated over 20 years in global sourcing and supply chain leadership roles across the industry, leading manufacturers and brands like Brandix, MAS, Triumph, Gildan, and Levi Strauss.
“Joining Cascale represents an incredible opportunity to work alongside a vast membership base to advance sustainability and innovation across the value chain,” said Alexandra Rieger, senior director, manufacturer membership at Cascale. “Each supply chain has the potential to create value and an urgent responsibility to address the challenges facing the planet and its people. I’m excited to engage with manufacturers to amplify their voices, empower their contributions, and collectively drive meaningful change—particularly in areas like decarbonization and responsible sourcing. Together, we can orchestrate solutions that balance complexity, innovation, and impact.”
Joleen Ong will lead all aspects of brand & retailer member engagement, helping members drive sustainability impact through the use of Cascale’s Higg Index tools and programs. She brings over 15 years of experience in sustainability and human rights within the apparel and footwear industries and has extensive expertise in operationalizing the Higg Index tools across brands. She previously served as the sustainability director at Fanatics, where she led the integration of sustainability practices and responsible purchasing initiatives across the enterprise, and led the sustainable manufacturing and licensing programs at Columbia Sportswear Company.
Joleen Ong, senior director, brand & retailer membership at Cascale shared, “I’m honored to join Cascale and work alongside such a dedicated team committed to driving collective action across the apparel and consumer goods industry. By equipping brands and retailers with the tools and resources needed to combat climate change and support decent work for all, we have an incredible opportunity to create meaningful change at scale. I’m eager to leverage my experience at two Cascale member brands to build robust, inclusive listening channels and partner effectively with our members on this crucial journey toward a more sustainable future.”
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.
Cascale’s membership requirements are driving accountability, alignment, and measurable impact across the global consumer goods industry.
At Cascale, we believe that meaningful progress toward sustainability is only possible when organizations align around shared goals and take collective action. That’s why, in 2021, we introduced our membership requirements. These guidelines are designed to unite our global members across brands, retailers, manufacturers, and affiliates – to address the industry’s most pressing challenges.
Three years later, we’re proud to share how membership requirements are laying the foundations for impactful change. While they are not the sole driver of progress, they serve as a critical reminder of the importance in aligning efforts, measuring impact, and creating accountability. The progress we’ve made together is proof that collective action is not just possible — it’s powerful.
Since 2021, Cascale’s membership requirements have complemented industry ambitions, providing a unified framework to build consistency across the consumer goods industry and its supply chain. Actions that support reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving labor practices are required. This is critical to align with Cascale’s mission of transforming the global consumer goods industry into one that gives back more than it takes to people and the planet.
This shared commitment has helped our members deliver significant milestones:
Change is easy with Cascale membership requirements.
Sustainability is a journey, and every member is at a different stage. While we celebrate these achievements, we also recognize that progress comes with challenges. That’s why Cascale focuses on supporting our members every step of the way:
In 2025, Cascale will focus on simplifying reporting processes, advancing supply chain transparency, and reinforcing alignment with strategic impact goals. Initiatives like supplier data disclosure through the Open Supply Hub will further empower members of all sizes to lead with accountability and innovation.
The membership requirements framework represents more than a set of expectations. It reflects a shared commitment to building a better future for the consumer goods industry. Together, our members are showing what’s possible when we align around common goals and take collective action.
There’s still work to be done, but the progress we’ve made together inspires confidence in what lies ahead. Cascale remains dedicated to empowering our members to lead the way — because when we work together, we can create lasting change for both people and the planet.
To our members, thank you for being a part of this journey. To meet our members, visit our members page. For more information about Cascale membership and progress, explore membership here.
Cascale’s senior director of communications, Lee Green, reflects on a season of change and progress.
Cascale’s senior director of communications, Lee Green, reflects on a season of change and progress.
As we head into the final weeks of the year, I’ve been reflecting on the role of communications in supporting our commitment to equity and balance across a diverse membership. We’re a multi-stakeholder initiative in every sense of the word, bringing together manufacturers, brands, and experts to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in sustainability. But in doing this, it’s essential that everyone feels their voice is genuinely heard, valued, and acted upon—a goal that can sometimes feel like an ambitious juggling act. And, as any juggler will tell you, sometimes you are going to drop a ball.
That’s why we’re making moves to keep this balance steady and sustainable. Recently, we made two significant updates that I believe bring us closer to achieving this vision. First, the annual update to our Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) aims to simplify and improve sustainability reporting for manufacturing facilities. Alongside this, we’re also making meaningful improvements to Higg FEM governance, ensuring that members have an even clearer and more active role in shaping the future of the tool. By refining the Higg FEM, we’re not only helping members generate more accurate environmental data, but we’re also cutting down on repetitive reporting processes that, frankly, can wear on anyone’s patience. Manufacturers especially have been asking for more efficient, impactful ways to report their data, and these updates are a step in that direction.
The second shift is our new membership engagement model, which has been designed with one purpose in mind: to ensure equitable representation. Our members are the driving force behind every initiative we undertake, and ensuring that their needs and perspectives shape our work is non-negotiable. This model lets us cater to different member types, making sure that no one feels left out or underrepresented in key conversations. As a showcase of this deepening motivation, we are exploring more diverse perspectives across our platforms. This includes the recent, “A Manufacturer’s Perspective: Busana Group’s CEO Sunil Shewakramani,” as part of a new manufacturer-led blog series. As you’ll see, it’s about breaking down barriers and making our processes more inclusive which is a shared passion across our organization. Our executive team exemplifies this passion, with both our CEO and EVP having both spent more than a month in Asia in the second half of the year, meeting with and listening to manufacturers.
Decarbonization is another cornerstone of our approach, and it’s an area where Cascale has committed to bold, industry-wide action. Our Industry Decarbonization Roadmap is guiding our members on a path to measurable, science-based targets that will align with 2025 goals. In fact, next week, our teams will be meeting in Hong Kong to map out this year’s progress and set an ambitious 2025 roadmap.
Looking ahead to our two main events next year in Asia, I’m especially excited about bringing our community together to share insights and discuss these updates in person. Hosting these gatherings in a region so integral to global manufacturing feels right, especially as we refine our tools, governance, and engagement processes. There’s nothing quite like face-to-face conversations to deepen understanding and build trust, and I can’t wait to connect directly with the people who make Cascale’s work possible.
Communications plays a vital role in this journey—not just as a function but as a bridge. By keeping our members informed, inviting their feedback, and, most importantly, listening, we’re creating a foundation for the kind of equitable and balanced collaboration that will carry us into the future. It’s my job to ensure that our stakeholders know exactly where we’re headed and feel confident in the role they play in that journey. Here’s to an exciting year of growth, together.
Andrew Martin, executive vice president, Cascale participated in the inaugural global apparel factory summit hosted by Avery Dennison, a Cascale member at the forefront of sustainability and innovation.
Avery Dennison is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company that provides a wide range of branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency, and better connect brands and consumers. The event took place in Singapore in September and attendees included a select group of owners and CEOs of manufacturing facilities in Asia and Europe. Presentations and discussions centered around challenges in the supply chain, from traceability to circularity.
In a fireside chat, Martin began by sharing the main purpose of his attendance: to listen to the concerns and challenges of manufacturers—voices that need greater attention, especially in the context of traceability—and to explore how Cascale, in its role as a convener of the entire value chain, can support them. He examined how the supply chain must work together to unlock transparency and traceability. Both referenced data from Cascale’s Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) tool, which is exclusively available on Worldly. The Higg FEM is a transformative tool used to assess the environmental impact of product manufacturing at facilities, from water use to waste management, to chemical and energy use.
Martin’s presentation was especially relevant to attendees in showcasing how transformative Higg FEM data is for advancing facility improvements while reducing redundancy. He emphasized the value of the Higg Index tools in offering standardized approaches and highlighted Cascale’s crucial role in reducing duplication, increasing harmonization, and ensuring consistency, particularly in the context of data collection for traceability in response to upcoming regulations. Additional speakers included Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), among others.
Martin also shared learnings from Cascale members, noting that since much of the, legislation, —such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting & Due Diligence Directives (CSRD & CSDDD), Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and Digital Product Passport (DPP), and the US’s Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA),—are still pending further clarification, and even aligned implementation, the focus of ESG data collection processes is still being focused just on compliance with specific data points. He emphasized however that the importance of the industry shifting towards traceability, that enables more effective due diligence, risk identification, and opportunities for and verification of ESG progress.
Martin emphasized the importance of making sustainability information transparent at the site level, a core component of traceability, defined as “the process of creating visibility of materials, products, and the information in which they were produced through the supply chain, to ensure the accountability of environmental and social progress.” He characterized the burden that traceability places on manufacturers as “irrational” and called for rapid collaboration on pragmatic interventions to harmonize the ESG data reporting landscape, standardizing supply chain data points, align data collection templates and questionnaires, and harmonizing data requests and verification cycles.
He also mentioned initiatives like Cascale’s decarbonization programs, including the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), inviting attendees to consider their involvement.
Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, is introducing a new member engagement and governance model to ensure more inclusive decision-making, with a sharper focus on elevating supplier and manufacturer input.
This shift, reflected in the organization’s structure and membership team architecture, addresses the need for more equitable representation across the supply chain and reinforces Cascale’s commitment to transparency and accountability in tool development and industry standards. By better balancing the influence of brands and suppliers, Cascale aims to foster industry-wide collaboration and build stronger, more equitable partnerships across the consumer goods industry.
As a multi-stakeholder initiative (MSI) nonprofit organization, Cascale’s mission serves the entire value chain without bias, ensuring equity and accessibility for all. With this in mind, the organization will continue to strive to balance the needs and voices of a diverse range of stakeholders – from large to small companies, manufacturers, brands, and NGOs – who work together to shape the future of the organization and achieve shared goals for the consumer goods industry.
In response to this feedback and ongoing conversations, Cascale has both restructured its membership team, shifting from a regional focus to one based on member type, and will be implementing new governance processes. These changes are designed to better serve manufacturer and brand/retailer members while affiliate members remain engaged through the stakeholder engagement team. All members can expect more tailored support and opportunities, through new structured processes to enable deeper collaboration as the transition progresses.
“With this new member engagement structure, our goal is to build a more inclusive representative and impactful system, ensuring that all voices, especially manufacturers, are heard and engaged meaningfully in all areas of our work, including the ongoing evolution of the Higg Index, and development of collective action programs,” said Andrew Martin, executive vice president at Cascale. “By focusing on equitable partnerships and streamlining processes, Cascale is strengthening its commitment to transparency, accountability, and industry convergence. These changes will allow us to better serve our members, support regulatory compliance, and drive impactful sustainability outcomes across the entire value chain.”
Cascale’s membership engagement teams, in particular, have been instrumental in advocating for this structural change. They have worked diligently to seek out and elevate feedback from members, especially manufacturers, ensuring that their needs are better reflected in decision-making processes. Their efforts have helped bring forward a more inclusive approach that will improve representation for manufacturers and elevate their role in shaping Cascale’s tools and initiatives.
Reflected in recruitment for membership team members, including the new role of Senior Manager, Membership Governance, Cascale’s evolved structure enables deeper collaboration, addressing feedback from suppliers who have called for more practical support and engagement. It strengthens Cascale’s commitment to collective action and underscores the organization’s ongoing reflection and adaptability. The new structure also aligns with recommendations from researcher Ilishio Lovejoy. Cascale supported Lovejoy’s two-year study on MSIs by granting her access to materials and facilitating interviews with staff and stakeholders. She presented her case study at Cascale’s recent Annual Meeting in Munich; there, she also joined a panel that included board members representative of the organization’s three sectors, to discuss the theory of fair process.
“It was an absolute pleasure to present my research on collective action tensions at Cascale and explore how fair process can be a valuable mechanism to examine and reduce the structural, functional, and emotional tensions within this multi-stakeholder initiative,” Lovejoy stated, after the event. “I’d also like to thank Colin Browne and the Cascale board for inviting me to present and showing openness to have honest and difficult conversations in the pursuit of better collective action.”
Cascale remains committed to supporting the manufacturing sector, which is vital to achieving shared collective action goals. The organization recently announced positive impacts of its Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), a pivotal initiative that unites manufacturers worldwide to combat climate change and welcomes Cascale members and non-members alike. In September, Cascale also announced a collaboration with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) aimed at promoting environmentally and socially responsible practices within the apparel sector in this critical region.
Supplier input continues to be a priority as Cascale evolves its Higg Index tools—used by 40,000 companies and exclusively available on Worldly. Each year, the tools are updated to respond to the needs and priorities of its members. These updates ensure the tools deliver the most accurate data to help drive sustainable business decisions and further support compliance on current and emerging reporting obligations. In Q4 2024, updates to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI) and Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) will incorporate member and stakeholder feedback.
Updated in October, the Higg MSI, a cradle-to-gate environmental assessment tool for materials, reflects three years of industry-wide collaboration on a cotton-specific methodology and model, setting a new standard for consistency and reliability in fiber-specific data. In November, the Higg FEM update will also build on deep collaborative work; in 2023, the last major Higg FEM update incorporated input from over 140 experts, with manufacturers being the largest represented group.
Together, Cascale’s stakeholders are united to accelerate climate action and catalyze impact at scale through a unified approach to sustainability that drives meaningful change.
Cascale, formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, is thrilled to announce the addition of three new members in the second quarter of 2024. Committed to driving collective action towards a more sustainable, equitable, and restorative consumer goods industry, Cascale represents over 300 organizations worldwide. The organization’s membership spans various sectors, including apparel, footwear, textiles, home furnishings, outdoor sporting goods, and bags and luggage.
Please join us in welcoming Cascale’s new members of Q2 2024
Through Cascale membership, organizations across the consumer goods value chain gain access to the Higg Index, impactful collective action programs, member-exclusive training and events, and a thriving network of industry leaders, innovators, and sustainability advocates.
Be part of a global alliance committed to a sustainable future. Together, members can drive impactful change in the consumer goods industry. Click here to explore Cascale membership.
Members of Cascale’s global community gathered for regional events across Southern Europe, DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
Recently, members of Cascale’s global community gathered for regional events across Southern Europe, DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), Hong Kong, and Shanghai. These events highlight the power of collaboration and the value of membership in fostering innovation and sustainability in the industry.
Southern Europe Regional Member Event: Barcelona, Spain
May 28, Desigual HQ
The Southern Europe Regional Member Event, held at Desigual HQ in Barcelona, saw the participation of ten Cascale members, including Desigual, Tendam, Mango, Recover, Mayoral, Teddy, Camper, OVS, Benetton, and El Corte Ingles. The event was marked by a warm welcome from Alberto Ojinaga, CEO of Desigual, who emphasized, “The way to compete in the future will be through collaboration.”
Highlights of the event included insightful knowledge sharing and discussion focusing on traceability through Higg FEM insights and harnessing Higg BRM value. Additionally, a comprehensive tool evolution roadmap was co-presented by Worldly and Cascale, detailing the Higg Product Tools roadmap.
DACH Regional Member Event: Munich, Germany
June 6, Gore Fabrics HQ
The DACH Regional Member Event, hosted at Gore Fabrics HQ in Munich, brought together seven members, including Puma, Gore Fabrics, Lenzing, Sympatex, Hugo Boss, Jack Wolfskin, and Marc O’Polo. Achim Loffler, Gore’s strategy and business operations leader, kicked off the event by stressing the importance of integrated sustainability and business strategies.
Members shared valuable insights on using Higg FEM analytics and data for impact and decarbonization. The event also featured an open discussion on the future of regional collaboration, with attendees outlining key topics for future initiatives.
UK Regional Brand Member Event: London, United Kingdom
June 25, Sainsbury’s HQ
The UK Regional Brand Member Event, hosted at Sainsbury’s HQ in London, brought together 13 brands and retailers, including Cascale members Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Avon, Boohoo, Dunelm, Gymshark, John Lewis, M&S, New Look, Next Plc, Rapha, and River Island.
Highlights of the event included valuable insights on navigating legislation and compliance regulations leveraging the Higg Index suite of tools, harnessing the Higg Product Tools, a Higg Index tool roadmap by Cascale and Worldly, and discussions about Tier 2 overlap analyses.
Cascale & Worldly Shanghai Afternoon Social: Shanghai, China
June 27, Li & Fung HQ
The Shanghai Regional Member Event, hosted at the Li & Fung campus in Shanghai, brought together several Li & Fung suppliers and 20 Cascale member representatives. Ed Lam, board executive director of Li & Fung and CEO of LFX, started with a welcome address stating the importance of collaboration between Cascle, Worldly, and LFX.
Attendees had the unique opportunity to meet and connect with Colin Browne, chief executive officer at Cascale, and Scott Raskin, chief executive officer at Worldly. Key topics discussed included alignment of the Higg Index tools with regulations and ESG compliance, performance ratings for sustainable finance, Higg Index verification, and purchasing practices and relationships between brands and manufacturers. View the event photo gallery
Hong Kong Regional Member Event: Hong Kong, China
July 2, Cascale Hong Kong office
Following the Cascale Manufacturer Forum in Shanghai, the Hong Kong Regional Member Event was held for the second year at the regional Cascale office. The event brought together 21 member organizations, including Crystal Group, TAL Apparel, QIMA, ESTS, and GAP Inc.
The event included a fireside chat with Cascale’s new CEO, Colin Browne, and Andrew Martin, executive vice president at Cascale, followed by a Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) presentation from Joyce Tsoi, senior director of the decarbonization program. Additionally, Crystal Group, a Cascale manufacturer member since 2012, shared their journey with Cascale and the Higg FEM. Discussions focused on driving impact, amplifying manufacturers’ voices, and addressing industry needs such as support for Scope 3 science-based targets and upcoming regulations. The event concluded with an Ask Me Anything session and a networking reception.
These regional events underscore the critical role Cascale plays in convening members to share insights, best practices, and innovative solutions. By bringing diverse voices across the industry together, Cascale fosters a collaborative environment that drives progress towards its shared vision of a global consumer goods industry that gives more than it takes — to the planet and its people. The value of membership lies not only in the access to Cascale’s Higg Index tools and resources but also in the strength of its global community.
Not yet a Cascale member? Click here to learn more about becoming a member.
Andrew Martin, EVP at Cascale, traces his visit to Hong Kong-based manufacturer Epic Group’s CIPL facility in Bangladesh showcasing sustainable innovation and a responsible future ahead.
It’s one thing for a company to talk about their sustainability commitments, and it’s another thing entirely to show them off – and invite someone into their production lines for a closer look.
In Bangladesh earlier this year, I had the privilege of touring Cascale member Epic Group’s CIPL facility. Like Cascale, Hong Kong-based manufacturer Epic Group is committed to improving the way they do things. This commitment, or “Relentless Pursuit of Better” as they’ve called it, equates to a sizable impact across their 200 production lines and 9 facilities (to the tune of 120 million garments per year)! Since 2005, they have continued to push their standards in delivering value-added, world-class manufacturing in apparel that favors quality, value, and sustainable innovation.
What is Epic Group’s innovation exactly? During my tour, I saw how continued investment in new factories and technology pays for itself in the long haul. I witnessed the first-hand investments made in automation, RFID-based production tracking, worker performance systems, and upgraded laundry machines. I also observed their state-of-the-art Effluent Treatment Plant, which meets Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) aspirational discharge standards and reuses 50 percent of treated effluent back into operations. This is essential given the uphill battle of wages, energy, and data costs. More important than ever is standardization, accelerating away from proprietary requests and moving towards convergence.
So what does that mean at an assessment level? I had really great robust conversations with Vidhura Ralapanawe, (Epic Group’s executive vice president, Sustainability & Innovation and Cascale Board Director) and the team, and we all agreed that assessments need to adapt to the times, meaning satisfying standardized industry-wide accepted reporting requirements while adapting to current and upcoming regulations. However, beyond this it was clear that further expectations should be razor focused only on setting up factories for improvements over time, while avoiding the addition of unnecessary burdens sometimes often imposed by individual companies that don’t add value to performance improvement. After all, this is at the very core of Cascale’s origin story.
We had productive discussions on Epic Group’s ongoing sustainability journey and future goals to halve their water and carbon footprints by 2030.
Because let’s not forget – this year is a pivotal year. We can’t tolerate climate commitments falling by the wayside. Scientists warned of surpassing critical limits, and February marked a year-long trend of global temperatures above the 1.5-degrees Celsius according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. It’s why the efforts of global manufacturers like Epic Group matter and must be complemented by collective efforts across people and planet.
Though I’ve seen many factories in my 30-year career in global textile supply chains – from development of Olympic and World Cup-winning performance fabrics to operational improvements in factories – this tour left me with deeper inspiration.
I’m excited about how Cascale and Epic Group can continue to collaborate to raise sustainability standards across the apparel industry through collective action with brands, manufacturers, and other stakeholders – including elected officials. With the European Union’s recent approval of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), which is a positive step forward, I am motivated to see how responsibility becomes the norm.
