Press Releases / Updated Supply Chain Taxonomy Advances Apparel Alignment

Updated Supply Chain Taxonomy Advances Apparel Alignment

Partnership and Collaboration
Supply Chain

Produced by the apparel alliance – Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation – the revised framework delivers consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear sectors.

Produced by the apparel alliance – Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation – the revised framework delivers consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear sectors.

Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) — July 14, 2026: The apparel alliance (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation) today announced the launch of Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy, an updated harmonized framework designed to improve consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) sectors of the broader apparel industry.

“Shared definitions are not just administrative; they help the industry make better decisions, improve data quality, and work from the same understanding of the supply chain. Clarifying that wet processing is accounted for across all tiers, not just Tier 2, gives the industry a more accurate picture of where emissions sit and where action is needed most.” — Alma Palacios, senior sustainability reporting coordinator at Aii

“When facilities, products, and processes are classified consistently, the whole industry benefits, from more reliable data and clearer reporting to stronger collaboration on the work that matters most. The updated Supply Chain Taxonomy is foundational infrastructure for a more aligned and effective sustainability ecosystem. It reflects what’s possible when organizations commit to alignment, and we’re confident it will support more effective progress across the value chain.” — Joël Mertens, director of environmental impact methodologies at Cascale

“Aligning on a shared language for the supply chain is fundamental to driving credible, system-wide progress. This updated taxonomy helps bring greater clarity and consistency to how materials, processes, and impacts are understood and reported, enabling more effective collaboration and accelerating the industry’s transition to preferred production systems.”— Luca Mosca, director of impact data and reporting at Textile Exchange

“No single organisation can drive industry transformation alone. Shared language is a crucial foundation to enable collaboration within the ecosystem of like-minded partners. Bringing more depth to the Supply Chain Taxonomy with this new update strengthens the common foundation of the apparel alliance to enhance clarity for the wider value chain actors as well as unlock new opportunities to create a more interoperable system.” — Maria Arroyo, sector partnership lead at ZDHC

Building on its initial release in November 2024, the updated taxonomy addresses key challenges in the original framework, including overlapping processes, undefined boundaries, and classification gaps. The result is a clearer, more detailed structure that supports consistent classifications across the TCLF value chain and future alignment across apparel alliance work and joint initiatives.

The Supply Chain Taxonomy supports the apparel industry by:

Creating a shared framework and common language across stakeholders.
Improving transparency and reporting through more consistent disclosures and supply chain visibility.
Supporting compliance and risk management through clearer process ownership and environmental boundaries.
Reducing duplication and aligning efforts across organizations.
Enabling better benchmarking and supporting collective sustainability initiatives.

The Supply Chain Taxonomy is a jointly developed and maintained resource of the apparel alliance organizations (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC). Designed as an evolving framework, planned annual updates reflect stakeholder feedback, emerging materials and technologies, and ongoing regulatory and industry developments. While not exhaustive, the taxonomy provides a practical foundation for classifying the most common processes and products across the value chain.

Download the Supply Chain Taxonomy

ABOUT THE apparel alliance
The apparel alliance is a collaborative industry working group uniting four global organizations: Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation. Since its inception in 2020, the apparel alliance has worked to align sustainability tools, programs, and industry initiatives while reducing duplicative efforts across the apparel and textile sector. By combining complementary expertise, global networks, and shared goals, the apparel alliance aims to accelerate industry decarbonization and achieve a minimum 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 across the global supply chain.

ABOUT Aii
Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) is a nonprofit collective founded in 2017 by four industry leaders: the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) and Target Corporation. The organization emerged organically as a result of a real need that apparel brands and retailers self-identified. Gap Inc., PVH, Arvind Mills, HSBC, GIZ, Stichting Doen and Schmidt Family Foundation joined the founders in the first three years of start-up and organizational development. Aii identifies, funds, and scales proven quality solutions to accelerate positive impact in the apparel and footwear industry. Aii programs focus on areas that result in positive environmental impact from the production of apparel and footwear products to improve the industry.

ABOUT CASCALE
Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance driving systemic transformation to combat climate change and support decent work in the consumer goods industry. Formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale unites a diverse, worldwide ecosystem of over 300 retailer, brand, manufacturer, supplier, service provider, government, academic, and nonprofit members.

Our alliance catalyzes pre-competitive collaboration for maximum impact, anchored by our stewardship of the Higg Index frameworks — implemented through the Worldly technology platform — and recent acquisition of the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools. While these methodologies are central to our work, they are part of a broader strategy to mobilize collective action, challenge industry norms, and build an industry that gives back more than it takes to the planet and its people.

Cascale Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk

ABOUT TEXTILE EXCHANGE
Textile Exchange is a global non-profit driving beneficial impacts on climate and nature across the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. It guides a growing community of brands, manufacturers, and farmers towards more purposeful production from the very start of the supply chain.

Its goal is to help the industry to achieve a 45% reduction in the emissions that come from producing fibers and raw materials by 2030, while keeping its focus holistic and interconnected and seeking to improve the state of our freshwater, soil health, and biodiversity too.

For real change to happen, everyone needs a clear path to beneficial impact. That’s why Textile Exchange believes that approachable, step-by-step instruction paired with collective action can change the system to make preferred materials and fibers the accessible default, mobilizing leaders through attainable strategies, proven solutions and a driven community.

At Textile Exchange, materials matter. To learn more, visit TextileExchange.org.

ABOUT ZDHC
The ZDHC Foundation oversees the implementation of the Roadmap to Zero Programme and is a global multi-stakeholder initiative of more than 350 Signatories within the fashion and footwear industry. Its vision is widespread implementation of sustainable chemistry, driving innovations and best practices to protect consumers, workers, and the environment. ZDHC uses collaborative engagement to drive a holistic, industry-focused and practical approach to sustainable chemical management. ZDHC guidelines, platforms and solutions drive large-scale industry-wide implementation that advances the industry as a whole towards the zero discharge of hazardous chemicals.

All events / Organic Cotton Summit

Organic Cotton Summit

Industry Event

The summit, co-hosted by Textile Exchange and Organic Cotton Accelerator, explores pathways toward an organic cotton sector that’s both sustainable and scalable.

A close-up of a sepia-tinged field of cotton

All events / Innovation Forum: Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trade Forum | Europe

Innovation Forum: Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trade Forum | Europe

Industry Event

From Isolated Action to Scaled Solutions

A discussion from Innovation Forum Amsterdam

Date & Time

April 29 2026 | 09:00 - April 30 2026 | 15:00 (BST)

Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands

News Updates / Fashion Educators Engage Industry in ESRAP Workshop Series

Fashion Educators Engage Industry in ESRAP Workshop Series

Academia
Higg Index Tools
Partnership and Collaboration

The ESRAP Educates session connected students and faculty with Cascale, the Higg Index, and Worldly to build career-ready sustainability skills.

Yellow flowers blooming in foreground with an image of Berkeley College, a Cascale member, located at E 43rd Street Campus NYC. The blue awning depicts the college's branding.

Cascale recently joined a new educational workshop series led by Educators for Socially-Responsible Apparel Practices (ESRAP), creating a direct connection between industry tools and the next generation of fashion and sustainability professionals.

Facilitated by Andrea Kennedy, fashion department lead at Berkeley College, a Cascale member, and Tasha Lewis, a fashion and retail studies professor at The Ohio State University, the session marked an early installment of ESRAP Educates. The speaker-panel series is designed to equip fashion faculty with practical insights and resources they can bring back to their classrooms. More than 45 students and educators participated, representing programs in sustainable fashion, apparel, and footwear.

Speakers from Cascale and Worldly explained how the two organizations work together to support credible sustainability education and real-world application. Cascale’s communications director Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff shared an overview of Cascale’s mission as a global nonprofit alliance and steward of the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly. Then, Charlie Gustafson, product marketing manager at Worldly, shared the organization’s role as the comprehensive data and analytics platform that helps scale the Higg Index tools.

Together, the directors illustrated how industry-aligned standards, trusted data, and scalable platforms work in tandem to turn sustainability goals into measurable action. The discussion focused on how educators and students can use these tools to develop practical, career-ready skills aligned with current industry expectations.

The workshop also explored opportunities for students and academic institutions to engage with Cascale and Worldly, including access to resources, learning pathways, and membership benefits that support teaching, research, and workforce development.

By participating in ESRAP Educates, Cascale continues to expand its engagement with the academic community, supporting educators as they prepare students to navigate sustainability challenges with clarity, consistency, and credible data.

News Updates / Cascale Attends ITMF, IAF Indonesia Conference in October 2025

Cascale Attends ITMF, IAF Indonesia Conference in October 2025

Better Buying

Cascale attended the joint International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and International Apparel Federation (IAF) Conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The event offered a comprehensive look into the future of the textile, footwear, and apparel industries.

Better Buying's Katie Hess participates in the IAF AF Committee Meeting on Purchasing Practices at the IAF and ITMF joint conference in Indonesia.

Last week, Cascale’s Katie Hess, head of product, Better Buying, attended the joint International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and International Apparel Federation (IAF) Conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The event offered a comprehensive look into the future of the textile, footwear, and apparel industries.

As a critical networking and convening opportunity for suppliers, sourcing experts, and textile stakeholders, the event offered insights into emerging technologies and sustainable practices, as well as highlighting Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing textile market.

Among the attendance were Cascale members and affiliates such as the Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative (ATTI), and speakers such as independent consultant Olivia Windham-Stewart, Mehmet Kaya (IHKIB – Istanbul Apparel Exporters Association ), and Vidiya Amrit Khan (Brand BGMEA), who are leading their associations’ pioneering roles in the initiative.

Scenes from the IAF ITMF joint conference in October 2025 in Indonesia.

Elevating Manufacturer Voice, Partnership

Chief above all, the conference reinforced the important role manufacturers play in shaping industry transformation. IAF’s president Cem Altan opened the event with a call for stronger collaboration and equal partnership between manufacturers and brands, noting that suppliers are “very often the starting point for the industry transformation that we need.”

Moving from Audit Fatigue to Audit Convergence

Speakers also unpacked how reducing duplicative audits remains a top priority for suppliers – with progress visible through initiatives such as the Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) and Cascale’s Better Buying. Data from the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) 2025 revealed buyer acceptance of SLCP assessments has doubled since 2021, signaling a shift toward more coordinated approaches. Attendees agreed that convergence should serve as a foundation for shared accountability and continuous improvement – not just operational efficiency.

Taking an active role, Cascale also participated in the IAF Committee Meeting on Purchasing Practices and took an all-encompassing factory tour at Indonesian firm Danliris. Established in 1974, the fully-integrated factory serves a growing portfolio of multinational textile and apparel clients.

Inside the Danliris factory, part of the IAF ITMF joint conference in October 2025 in Indonesia.

Linking Climate Action to Purchasing Practices

Decarbonization emerged as another unifying theme throughout the conference, with panelists from IKEA and Cascale members TAL Apparel and PUMA emphasizing that climate goals are realized through purchasing decisions as much as through technical solutions. Suppliers are already investing in renewable energy and cleaner production, but continued progress depends on commercial models that support and reward those efforts.

This decarbonization panel showcased a range of global initiatives advancing climate action in the apparel and textile sector. Among the mentions was the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, represented by Cascale members Matthew Guenther (TAL Apparel) and Stefan Seidel (PUMA).

Be it decarbonization or responsible purchasing practices, participants emphasized the importance of recognizing manufacturers’ leadership on every touchpoint.

News Updates / Cascale Contributes to Cotton LCA Position Paper

Cascale Contributes to Cotton LCA Position Paper

Higg MSI
LCA

Leading cotton programs have released a joint LCA position paper raising awareness on data use and misconceptions, with Cascale contributing additional expertise.

In the latest effort to make cotton data more accessible and available, cotton programs have released an LCA position paper, with Cascale contributing additional expertise.

Together, Better Cotton, Cotton Australia, Cotton Incorporated, and U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol commissioned the report, with Cascale, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, and Textile Exchange as contributors. EarthShift Global, LLC prepared the report, “From Data to Impact: How to Get Cotton LCAs Right” which zeroes in on the importance of proper use and interpretation of cotton LCA data, especially in the context of differing growing regions and methodological parameters.

Cascale’s Joël Mertens, head of Higg Product Tools at Cascale, outlined the problem. “What can I really claim in terms of making change happen?” It is one thing to say, “This is my footprint,” and another to claim that switching from cotton to another fiber or blend has helped improve climate change or water scarcity. This last piece in particular is the one that is misleading. The approach that moves the sector forward is fixing the supply change instead of ignoring the problem by going somewhere else without moving the state of play.”

The work followed a joint workstream within Cascale: the Higg MSI Methodology Cotton Expert Team, to help collaboratively address cotton data gaps. The 40-page report captures a number of nuances, challenges, and positive indicators for change, hoping to help guide sustainability managers, policymakers, cotton programs, and growers.

”Real progress will come from investment in farmer-centered improvements backed by science and transparency, aligning around responsible use of LCAs,” read a line from the report’s summary.

Readers can find the report and press release on Better Cotton’s website.

Listen: Source of Good Feat. Cotton Inc’s Jesse Daystar

Blogs / How Consumer Goods Companies Can Navigate Tariffs Responsibly

How Consumer Goods Companies Can Navigate Tariffs Responsibly

Joleen Ong is senior director, brand and retailer membership at Cascale. She has spent over 15 years working on supply chain sustainability, human rights and responsible purchasing practices at Cascale Member Brands, Columbia Sportswear Company and Fanatics, and Social Accountability International. In this blog, she shares her observations and predictions on what’s at stake for decent work and climate action amid the latest wave of tariffs.

Joleen Ong

April 23, 2025

If global trade talks have taught us anything, it’s that their ripple effects are far-reaching – impacting workers, supply chains, and climate commitments around the world. The latest round of U.S. tariff negotiations is already reshaping sourcing strategies and business models, with significant implications for sustainability, labor rights, and compliance.

As companies adjust to these shifts, they face a critical question: will sustainability be deprioritized, or will it be embedded as a strategic advantage in the face of disruption?

With over 15 years working in sustainability and human rights — at both global brands and nonprofit organizations — I’ve seen how uncertain geopolitical conditions can either derail progress or catalyze bold action. These moments call for resilience, but more importantly, for courage.

1. Decent Work: Protecting Workers as Sourcing Shifts

Since the introduction of U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports in 2018, many brands have reshaped their sourcing models — consolidating suppliers, diversifying production, and pursuing tariff engineering strategies. Amid this urgency, responsible purchasing practices are at risk of being sidelined.

Stemming from 2018, some brands pivoted to manufacturers with global footprints for sourcing flexibility. Others reduced orders or exited countries altogether, often with little notice – sometimes leveraging the force majeure clauses in their contracts with factories to cancel existing orders. These abrupt shifts can destabilize suppliers, disrupt operations, and weaken labor protections. In worst-case scenarios, workers face layoffs without severance, unpaid wages or overtime, and shuttered factories.

Order volatility also drives increased reliance on contract labor — particularly vulnerable workers often paid via third-party agencies. This indirect structure undermines accountability and worker protections as it can be hard to detect or calculate any fees workers may pay for their jobs.

Adding to the challenge, U.S. budget cuts to the Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) threaten programs like the International Labor Organization’s Better Work program. Better Work-affiliated countries such as Jordan and Haiti are already feeling the impact, as the U.S. is a key funder. These cuts jeopardize hard-won progress in labor rights, audit convergence, and factory compliance.

Despite these challenges, tools like the The Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) from Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) and the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) from Better Buying may offer a path forward with objective data to guide brands’ sourcing strategies and purchasing practices.

2. Climate Change: The Need for a Strong Market Signal

Uncertainty doesn’t just affect workers — it also jeopardizes climate action by dulling the market signals needed to drive supply chain decarbonization.

For factories, especially in emerging markets, long-term business certainty is essential to justify the major capital expenditures (CAPEX) required for climate mitigation. Upgrades like replacing coal-fired boilers, installing rooftop solar, or transitioning to renewable energy carry high upfront costs and long payback periods. These decisions rely on confidence in stable, long-term buyer relationships.

Although many manufacturers are advancing their own sustainability strategies, uncertainty around order volumes or transactional sourcing relationships can delay or halt critical investments. This chilling effect is especially pronounced among Tier 1 and Tier 2 facilities, which often require financing, technical support, and clear demand signals to move forward.

Cascale is helping to address this through our Industry Decarbonization Roadmap — a collaborative framework aligning brands, retailers, manufacturers, and solution providers around shared climate goals. By strengthening the market signal for climate action, the roadmap aims to unlock the investments needed for lasting, systems-level change.

3. De Minimis Loophole Removed: An Unexpected Win for Compliance and Sustainability

In a rare bright spot for sustainability and responsible trade, the recent closure of the de minimis loophole marks a significant policy shift — with meaningful implications for both labor protections and global emissions.

As reported by The New York Times, 1.36 billion packages entered the U.S. last year under the de minimis exemption, which allowed goods valued under $800 to bypass tariffs and many regulatory checks. The vast majority of these shipments originated from China and were sent directly to consumers, circumnavigating oversight on issues like product safety and compliance with laws such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).

This loophole not only created an uneven playing field — undermining companies committed to ethical sourcing and compliance — but also fueled a surge in global airfreight. Since air shipping is 68 times more carbon-intensive than ocean freight, this model significantly increased the fashion industry’s emissions footprint.

Now, with the loophole closed, there’s a chance we’ll see a reduction in global emissions, and renewed incentive for companies to ensure their supply chains are transparent, traceable, and compliant with labor, safety, and environmental standards. It’s a win for brands doing the right thing — and a long-overdue step toward a more equitable and sustainable global trade system.

4. Transparency & the Courage to Adapt

While it’s often said that “brands can’t see green when they’re in the red,” recent conversations with Cascale members tell a different story. Despite economic headwinds, many brands are doubling down on their sustainability commitments — recognizing that the urgency to meet science-based targets and comply with emerging global regulations hasn’t gone away.

In fact, the ability to navigate disruption while maintaining transparency and responsible practices is quickly becoming a marker of long-term resilience. As sourcing strategies evolve, so too must the industry’s approach to protecting workers, reducing emissions, and building more equitable and future-fit supply chains.

News Updates / Colin Browne Speaks at The Economist’s 10th Sustainability Week

Colin Browne Speaks at The Economist’s 10th Sustainability Week

At The Economist’s 10th Sustainability Week in London, Cascale CEO Colin Browne elevated the importance of supply chain sustainability in driving climate action.

Cascale CEO Colin Browne at The Economist’s 10th Sustainability Week in London

Cascale CEO Colin Browne at The Economist’s 10th Sustainability Week: “Collaboration is the Only Way Forward”

At The Economist’s 10th Sustainability Week, held in London, Cascale CEO Colin Browne joined a panel discussion on supply chain sustainability and the role of business in driving climate action. The session, moderated by Eddie Milev (Economist Impact), explored how companies can balance geopolitical challenges, regulatory pressures, and sustainability goals while maintaining supply chain resilience.

Browne was joined by Lucy Westgarth, Environmental, Social & Governance Lead at Leidos Europe, who brought insights from the defense and public sector supply chains to the discussion. Together, they examined the shifting role of sustainability as an operational priority rather than an afterthought.

“Sustainability used to be the last item on the boardroom agenda—an afterthought,” Browne stated. “Now, it’s a core business function, touching everything from supply chain resilience to legal and financial accountability. Companies that fail to take it seriously will struggle to stay competitive.”

Sustainability in Supply Chains: A Business Imperative, Not a Buzzword

During the discussion, Eddie Milev set the stage by highlighting how supply chains have moved to the forefront of corporate strategy following global disruptions—from the pandemic to shifting geopolitical tensions.

Browne agreed, emphasizing that supply chains are now a defining factor of business success: “Great companies have great supply chains. Sustainability is no longer just about risk mitigation—it’s a business opportunity. Companies that embrace it will set themselves up for success, while those that ignore it will fall behind.”

Westgarth added that within government procurement and defense contracting, sustainability is increasingly tied to resilience and long-term readiness: “Sustainable procurement is about meeting today’s needs without compromising tomorrow. In our industry, resilience is key, and sustainability plays directly into that.”

The Role of Collaboration in Industry Decarbonization

A key focus of Browne’s remarks was the need for deep collaboration between brands, manufacturers, and policymakers to accelerate decarbonization. He explained that no single brand or supplier can tackle emissions alone: “Many brands and retailers use the same factories. No individual company—whether a brand or manufacturer—can solve this alone. The only way to drive real change is through collective action.”

Westgarth echoed this, emphasizing that collaboration is equally critical in public sector supply chains. “Many industries, including defense, are now working together on shared sustainability challenges—whether through accreditation systems, carbon reporting platforms, or collaborative risk assessments. The same needs to happen in consumer goods.”

Browne reinforced that brands and manufacturers must move beyond transactional relationships and build long-term partnerships that embed sustainability into core business decisions.

Supply Chain Resilience & The Geopolitical Challenge

The conversation also touched on reshoring, nearshoring, and geopolitical tensions and how these factors impact sustainability.

Browne cautioned against moving supply chains without considering environmental impact. “If you’re changing suppliers or restructuring your supply chain, consider where you’re moving to. Are you relocating to a country investing in renewables? Can this shift be a double win—both economically and environmentally?”

Westgarth highlighted the complexity of balancing supply chain resilience with sustainability. “For some industries, nearshoring isn’t a simple fix. You might move manufacturing closer, but raw materials still need to be sourced globally. It’s about understanding the full picture.”

What’s Next? Industry Decarbonization & Cascale’s Role

Browne reaffirmed Cascale’s commitment to driving industry-wide decarbonization through collective action, transparency, and measurable impact. He emphasized that companies already know what needs to be done. “The question is no longer whether we can decarbonize. We have the technology, we have the solutions. The real question is: do we have the courage, capacity, and commitment to make it happen?”

Through its Industry Decarbonization Roadmap, Cascale continues to work with its members on practical solutions that support manufacturers and brands in achieving meaningful emissions reductions while maintaining business competitiveness.

Browne closed with a call to action. “Legislation will ebb and flow, but sustainability is not going away. Consumers expect it. Markets demand it. And the planet needs it. The companies that take action now will be the ones best positioned for the future.”

For more on supply chain sustainability, register to attend the upcoming Cascale Forum in Ho Chi Minh City this May.

Blogs / How Cascale’s Membership Requirements Can Mobilize Change

How Cascale’s Membership Requirements Can Mobilize Change

Building the Foundations for Change: Cascale’s Membership Requirements in Action

Membership

Cascale's membership requirements mobilize action in the consumer goods industry. Here, a handshake between leaders.

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.

Progress in Action

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:

Climate Action Leadership: Over 60 percent of corporate members have committed or have committed to set science-based targets or science-aligned targets (SATs), reflecting steady progress toward Cascale’s collective goal of a 45 percent GHG reduction by 2030. Initiatives like the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) and partnerships with FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE are supporting members yet to meet this requirement.
Adoption of the Higg Index Tools: With over 40,000 users globally benefitting from their use of the Higg Index, exclusively available on Worldly, Cascale is reducing redundancies, fostering alignment, and enabling consistent supply chain performance. This vast, engaged network also significantly reduces administrative burdens on facilities. According to the latest Worldly data shared in a recent town hall, facilities save over 50,000 collective hours on auditing each year with these tools.
Increased Convergence in Social Frameworks: Collaboration with SLCP has driven significant adoption of the Higg FSLM. Based on the Converged Assessment Framework, this tool has helped reduce duplicative audits and fostered further alignment.

Text that says CHANGE in black bold font with cloud-cover and sunset.

Change is easy with Cascale membership requirements.

Supporting Members Along the Way

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:

Tailored Programs: Initiatives like the MCAP and FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE offer members pragmatic pathways to set and achieve sustainability targets.
Insights and Collaboration: By working closely with SLCP, Worldly, and other strategic partners, we’re gaining a clearer understanding of the barriers members face and using those insights to improve tools and processes.
Positive Accountability: We’re committed to creating solutions that help members succeed, ensuring they have the tools and guidance needed to meet their goals.

Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

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.

Collective Action, Collective Progress

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.

Blogs / Building Balance and Equity at Cascale: A Look Ahead

Building Balance and Equity at Cascale: A Look Ahead

Membership

Cascale’s senior director of communications, Lee Green, reflects on a season of change and progress.

Lee Green

November 12, 2024

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.