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Combat Climate Change

Cascale is committed to driving a minimum 45% reduction of GHGs across the consumer goods value chain by 2030.

Combat Climate Change

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

Taking Action to Combat Climate Change

Cascale formalized the Decarbonization Program in 2021, requiring Brand & Retailer members to set Science-Based Targets (SBTs) with the aim of reducing carbon emissions.

In 2023, in collaboration with Nike and the Target Corporation, we established the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), which empowers manufacturers to set Science-Aligned Targets (SATs) and reduce carbon emissions. MCAP engages Cascale members and non-members alike; manufacturer members are required to set SATs.

Nearly 60 percent of Cascale members have set or begun the process of setting SBTs or SATs, and MCAP has engaged over 60 manufacturers.

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

Photo of Delman Lee

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

Delman Lee (Dr), Cascale
Vice Chair, TAL Apparel

Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR)

The Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR), developed by Cascale and Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), with the support of RESET Carbon, is a comprehensive approach to drive measurable progress on decarbonization.

Designed to tackle challenges unique to the global textile and apparel supply chain, the IDR connects brand commitments with real action at the manufacturing level to create business opportunities for manufacturers and drive impact.

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

Our goal? Enabling a 45% reduction of GHGs by 2030, powering a global movement toward a sustainable, resilient future.

Learn more about IDR

Manufacturer Climate Action Program

Welcoming Cascale members and non-members alike, the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) helps manufacturers develop and validate Science-Aligned Targets (SATs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the consumer goods industry.

Learn More
Photo of leaves in rain

Cascale Collaborative Climate Action Programs

Pakistan Environment Trust (PET)
Express Interest

Objective: Implement net zero production programs

For: Cascale members and non-members

Location: Pakistan

Operation: Launched in 2023, ongoing

Impact: 25 manufacturers, accounting for over 40 percent of apparel exports, have participated in the project

FASHION LEAP for CLIMATE
Learn More

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

Objective: Accelerate climate action and help brand adoption of SBTs

For: Cascale members and non-members

Location: Global

Operation: Cascale member pilot launched in 2024, ongoing

Impact: 55+ brands have participated in the project

Frequently Asked Questions

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