In collaboration with Nike and Target, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) introduced the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) to accelerate carbon reduction initiatives in the textile manufacturing sector. While emphasizing Scope 1 and 2 emissions, the MCAP strategically excludes Scope 3 measurements initially, fostering greater manufacturer participation in combating carbon emissions. This pioneering effort guides manufacturers in crafting decarbonization plans, allocating resources for implementation, and enhancing transparency through public reporting.
The SAC, a diverse coalition comprising over 280 stakeholders, plays a pivotal role in convening the consumer goods industry and catalyzing systemic change within global supply chains. MCAP, a transformative initiative inspired by Target's Supplier Engagement Program and Nike's Supplier Climate Action Program (SCAP), aligns with the industry's aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reduce sector-wide emissions by 45% by 2030.
Fashion Industry's Imperative Amid Export Risks and Science-Based Sustainability Goals
This initiative serves as a vital response to the escalating climate crisis, with the textile industry grappling with potential export losses due to climate impacts. A recent report highlights the pressing need for fashion supply chains to adapt to physical climate risks as nations like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Pakistan face substantial export revenue declines. Some industry leaders are already committing to science-based targets for both climate and nature, aiming to drive transformative change within the fashion sector.
The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, in collaboration with the Fashion Pact and Conservation International, has launched an industry-specific guide to science-based targets for nature as part of the "Transforming the Fashion Sector With Nature" initiative, emphasizing tangible and measurable nature goals.
About the Sustainable Apparel Coalition
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is a leading industry alliance and collaborative platform dedicated to transforming the apparel, footwear, and textile industry into a more sustainable and responsible sector. It was founded in 2010 and has since gained prominence as a driving force in promoting sustainability and social responsibility within the fashion and apparel industry.
SAC consists of a diverse membership base that includes various stakeholders across the fashion supply chain, including brands, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, government organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, SAC had more than 280 members.
One of SAC's most well-known initiatives is the Higg Index, a suite of sustainability assessment tools designed to measure and evaluate the environmental and social performance of products and facilities in the fashion industry. The Higg Index covers various aspects of sustainability, including water usage, carbon emissions, labor conditions, and chemical management.