Led by World Resources Institute (WRI), the Science Based Targets initiative is developing guidance to support companies across across the apparel and footwear value chain to set ambitious, science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. 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.
The guidance aims to:
- Provide clarity on credible approaches to setting science-based targets for operations and value chains;
- Increase consistency across companies’ targets in the sector;
- Identify barriers for setting SBTs and provide recommendations to address these barriers;
- Define and provide examples of best practices; and
- Highlight opportunities for companies to collaborate in reducing emissions.
Now Available: Second Draft of Apparel Guidance
A second verison of the guidance is available for public comment through Friday, November 30, 2018. After reviewing the guidance, we would appreciate your perspective on the following questions:
- Does the guidance provide what apparel and footwear companies need to set SBTs?
- How can we make the guidance clearer and more helpful?
- What examples can you share (target setting and emissions reductions) that would help your peers?
- Please provide any additional feedback as you wish.
Please send your feedback via email to Chendan Yan by Friday, November 30, 2018.
Guidance Development Process and Timeline
The guidance development process is 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. Sign up to join the Stakeholder Advisory Group.
While the guidance is under development the Science Based Targets initiative encourages companies in the apparel sector to submit targets for validation if they are ready to do so. The guidance will offer an additional resource in future but should not delay target setting in the interim.
Here are some highlights from the guidance development process:
- The project commenced with a scoping phase in June 2017. In 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. Download slides and view a recording of the webinar, and see a summary of public comments.
- In September 2018 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, WRI shared the guidance with stakeholders including apparel and footwear suppliers, local brand representatives, and individuals from industry associations.
- After incorporating feedback from stakeholders, WRI released a second draft of the guidance for public comment through November 30, 2018.
- On November 28 in New York City, WRI will present an overview of key insights and recommendations from the guidance at the American Apparel and Footwear Association Environmental Committee Fall 2018 Meeting.
Further opportunities for stakeholder consultation (e.g. webinars and workshops) will be offered during the course of 2018-2019 (sign up to receive updates).
Contact Us
To provide feedback on the guidance or develop a case study for your company, please contact us:
Cynthia Cummis, Director of Private Sector Climate Mitigation, WRI, [email protected]
Nate Aden, Senior Fellow, WRI, [email protected]
Chendan Yan, Research Analyst, [email protected]
Michael Sadowski, Research Consultant, [email protected]
Related News
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
