We recently heard from over 3,000 professionals across the consumer goods industry, spanning APAC (44 percent), the Americas (37 percent), and EMEA (19 percent), who took part in our latest Awareness & Industry Impact Survey.

The results were both encouraging and eye-opening. (NEW: Our latest Cascale Awareness & Industry Impact Survey is now open. Take 5 minutes now to share your perspectives on Cascale, the Higg Index, and our industry’s collective impact).

Per our June survey, there’s clear optimism about the industry’s, and Cascale’s, ability to drive meaningful change:

• 84 percent believe we can reduce carbon emissions in the supply chain.
• 85 percent believe we can improve working conditions.
• Even more heartening, 86 percent of respondents are confident Cascale can help lead the way on both fronts by 2030.

That level of trust in our role is something I don’t take lightly.

But the survey also surfaced a few misconceptions, and, to be honest, they’ve given me pause. If people aren’t quite clear on who we are, what we do, or how we partner with others, that’s on us to fix.

So, in the spirit of transparency and continuous improvement, I want to share a few things that we clearly need to communicate more consistently.

We’re bigger than you might think.

Nearly half (47 percent) of respondents immediately associate Cascale with apparel, footwear, and textiles. That’s understandable; it’s where many of us started.

But our work, and the reach of the Higg Index tools, spans multiple consumer goods categories. In fact, over a third of survey participants work in areas like home furnishings, sporting goods, or luggage and bags. Still, 21 percent weren’t sure which industries we support.

That tells me we need to do a better job of showcasing the full scope of where and how Cascale operates.

We are a 501(c)(6) nonprofit. Always have been.

Cascale exists to power collective action; not to make a profit. And yet, 46 percent of respondents thought we were a for-profit company, and 31 percent weren’t sure who our members are.

Our respondents include manufacturers and suppliers (39 percent), brands and retailers (15 percent), and affiliate partners like NGOs, academic institutions, and government agencies (16 percent).Yet, even with this diverse group, it’s clear there is confusion.

We’ll be doubling down on reinforcing who we are: a nonprofit, mission-driven community committed to environmental and social progress across the consumer goods industry. In fact, “being part of a thriving community” was something 47 percent of non-member survey respondents ranked as the top value-add for pursuing membership. We’re not about making a profit; we’re about convening a global industry to drive impact.

Cascale owns the Higg Index. Worldly operates the platform.

Let me further clarify this point.

Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index suite of tools. These tools are exclusively available through Worldly, our trusted technology partner. While 60 percent of survey respondents work at organizations that use the Higg Index, 47 percent still believe the tools are accessed directly through Cascale.

What’s more, 15 percent think Cascale and Worldly are the same organization, and they’re not. We’re strategic partners with distinct roles, collaborating through the Higg Index to build more sustainable, resilient supply chains.

Our tools and programs support the entire industry, but members gain more.

Cascale’s tools and initiatives are designed to drive progress at scale to combat climate change and support decent work for all, which is why many of them are available to both members and non-members, which 17 percent of our survey respondents didn’t realize.

With that said, Cascale membership comes with meaningful benefits.

Championed as the top perceived benefit by members, Cascale members receive discounted access to the Higg Index via Worldly. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. Alongside that, they gain exclusive opportunities to participate in a thriving community that shapes tool development, as well as join focused working groups, attend member-only events, and direct engagement with global peers on pressing global topics. Members also have a stronger voice in industry conversations and early access to resources, pilots, and partner collaborations.

So, we’ll continue working to clarify both our broader impact goals and the unique value of joining our alliance.

What’s next?

This survey gave us valuable insight — not just into how we’re seen, but where we can do better. That starts with clearer, more consistent messaging. It means being intentional about how we describe who we are, what we offer, and how we show up alongside our partners.

We’ll keep learning, listening, and improving.

If you’d like to help shape the next wave of insight, sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear when our next survey launches in October.

Thanks to everyone who took part, and for helping us make Cascale’s work clearer, stronger, and more impactful. Together.