Lower Impact Production
Fashion production entails a vast number of processes, many of which have a significant negative impact on our planet. Our supply chains are complex, with tiered suppliers (Tier 1 to Tier 4) contracting each other from the sourcing to the finished garment.
Understanding the landscape and identifying the main drivers of impact are critical to mitigating climate change, restoring biodiversity, and protecting oceans.
Within textile production, wet-processing has significant negative impacts across a number of key environmental indicators, including energy consumption, water use, chemical pollution, microfibers, etc.
For example, the majority of GHG emissions’ of brands arise from the upstream wet-processing phase of the textile production. Those indirect emissions (Scope 3) from supply chains pose unique challenges to reach our targets for climate. CDP estimates that a company’s Scope 3 emissions is more than 11 times higher than a company’s Scope 1 & 2 emissions – the emissions that a company directly produces from its own operations – combined.
For Scope 1, 2, and 3 definitions click here.
EXPLORING SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS TO SUPPLY CHAIN ENGAGEMENT BARRIERS - A FIRST CRITICAL STEP
In order to move forward in these areas, there are many systemic challenges that must be overcome to allow for concrete collective action to take place. It is clear that better collaboration between brands and suppliers is needed to improve transparency, to understand where the fashion sector should act, and to align on the best approaches. We have started the movement.
Scope 3 Decarbonisation
With our Scope 3 approach, we want to illustrate the phases needed to achieve decarbonisation of brands Scope 3 Tier 2 processes – the area identified as the biggest emitter of GHG, hence the biggest opportunity to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change in line with SBTi.
The process starts with the individual commitment and understanding of impact and must be followed by quantification, tracking, and public reporting of GHG emissions in line with the UNFCCC Fashion Charter. As an industry, we rely on Tier 2 supplier (processing facility) transparency to identify supplier clusters with the potential to reduce emissions and create targeted joint actions. Suppliers need both technical & financial support to transition at the pace we all need to reach our ambitious climate targets.
Supplier Sprint
In 2023, we conducted “sprint” workshop sessions with members to collectively assess how to best identify, share, and engage with suppliers while guaranteeing confidentiality – a critical prerequisite to many Fashion Pact joint actions.
The sessions were focused on wet processing suppliers (Tier 2/Tier 3) as this is where the majority of the fashion sector’s impact lies. They led us to identify key areas and recommendations for enhanced collaboration, such as supply chain visibility, as well as transparency in order to work collectively with other Fashion Pact members while adhering to anti-trust guidelines.
Partner: SYSTEMIQ
SCOPE 1, 2, & 3 DEFINITIONS FOR THE FASHION INDUSTRY
TOOLS & RESOURCES
Suppliers Tier 1 Support Package
Suppliers Tier 2 Support Package
