Led by World Resources Institute (WRI), the Science Based Targets initiative has released new guidance to support companies across the apparel and footwear value chain to set ambitious, science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. It provides case studies on best practices in target setting and strategies for achieving emissions reductions.
The guidance applies to retailers, brands, finished goods manufacturers, mills, etc. that are primarily engaged in activities that contribute to the production and sale of apparel and footwear products.
Download “Apparel and Footwear Sector Science-Based Targets Guidance” and join our mailing list to stay informed about our ongoing work with the apparel and footwear sector.
Blog: “How Fashion Companies Can Collaborate to Tackle Their Biggest Source of Carbon Pollution.”
Guidance Development Process
The guidance was informed by an Expert Advisory Group with representation from companies, consultants, NGOs, academic institutions and other individuals with sectoral and/or GHG accounting expertise. We also convened a broader group of stakeholders to provide input at key milestones.
Highlights from the guidance development process:
- June 2017: Project commenced with a scoping phase. View slides from the launch webinar.
- May 2018: WRI held an open stakeholder feedback session at the Sustainable Apparel Coalition conference in Vancouver and commissioned a public, online survey on the first version of the guidance. View slides from the webinar and see a summary of public comments.
- September 2018: WRI shared the guidance with stakeholders including apparel and footwear suppliers, local brand representatives, and individuals from industry associations in Ho Chi Minh City.
- November 2018: After incorporating feedback from stakeholders, WRI released a second version of the guidance for public comment. WRI presented an overview of key insights and recommendations from the guidance at the American Apparel and Footwear Association Environmental Committee Fall 2018 Meeting in New York City.
- February 2019: WRI presented an update on the sector guidance at the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. A summary of key points of feedback was publicly shared.
- February–June 2019: WRI incorporated feedback from the External Stakeholder Group and broader stakeholder group, as well as feedback from WRI’s internal review process, into the current draft of the guidance. We also updated the guidance to be in conformance with the latest version of the SBTi criteria, released in April 2019.
- On June 25, WRI and the Apparel Impact Institute launched the final guidance at a workshop in Barcelona.
Financial support for the guidance was provided by Nike, Inc., Target Corporation, ClimateWorks Foundation, C&A Corporation, and Lenzing.
Related News
Burberry joins catwalk of companies with Science-Based Targets – GreenBiz – June 26, 2019
Puma Commits To 35% Reduction Of Its GHG Emissions By 2030 – CleanTechnica – June 26, 2019
The UN Is Now Working Directly With Companies to Fight Climate Change – Motherboard – December 13, 2018
2018 Preferred Fiber and Materials Market Report – Textile Exchange – November 7, 2018
Skunkfunk has Science Based Targets approved – Ecotextile News – October 30, 2018
Podcast: Can the apparel sector mitigate climate change? – Ecotextile News – October 3, 2018
The RealReal Launches Sustainability Calculator on National Consignment Day – California Apparel News – October 1, 2018
Clothing Giant PVH Joins RE100 & Targets 100% Renewables By 2030 – Clean Technica – September 21, 2018
Clean denim: How Levi Strauss plans to reduce its carbon emissions – Business Standard – August 2, 2018
Levi Strauss Sets Industry Bar with Science-Based Targets for Global Supply Chain – Sustainable Brands – July 31, 2018
Inside Levi’s ambitious plan to cut its carbon footprint – Fast Company – July 31, 2018
Tesco and Target scale up supply chain sustainability – just-style – June 26, 2018
IKEA to use only renewable and recycled materials by 2030 – Reuters – June 7, 2018
Report Reveals Global Apparel and Footwear Industries’ Emissions – Environmental Leader – February 28, 2018
Inside VF’s new sustainability direction – GreenBiz – January 19, 2018
The growing momentum for science-based targets – GreenBiz – October 2, 2017
Gap Inc., NIKE, Inc., Levi’s Among Retailers Joining Initiative to Tackle Climate Change – Science Based Targets initiative – September 18, 2017
