It’s not news that the apparel industry needs to reduce its carbon footprint — it’s responsible for 2%-8% of annual global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To help tackle the problem, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) launched the Decarbonization Program, which will support and drive stakeholders to work toward necessary emissions reduction.

By bringing the supply chain together — including brands, retailers, manufacturers, and factories — the SAC will identify opportunities for the greatest impact, helping accelerate the large-scale change needed. As part of the program, SAC corporate members will be required to commit and set science-based targets (SBTs) from 2023.  According to the SAC, there are six key areas where members can drive impactful change:

  • Maximizing material efficiency: reducing the amount of fiber and materials that go to waste through design, material usage, and manufacturing methodology
  • Scaling sustainable materials and practices: increasing the use of more sustainable materials and practices
  • Accelerating the development of innovative materials: growing investment in next-generation materials like textile recycling and bio-based materials
  • Increasing energy efficiency: making energy efficiency a priority across all manufacturing facilities
  • Eliminating coal in manufacturing: replacing coal with renewable energy in all manufacturing facilities
  • Shifting to 100% renewable electricity: deploying renewable energy solutions

Work has already begun, and a recent partnership with the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action has led to new guidance on purchased goods and services (PG&S) emissions. The SAC has also carried out best-practice-sharing webinars and peer-to-peer learning sessions, with step-by-step SBT guidance to come.

“Right now, the fashion industry is not on track to hit net zero by 2050. But change is happening,” Joyce Tsoi, head of collective action at the SAC, says in a press release. “Through the Decarbonization Program, we are building important collective action solutions to drive large-scale systematic change required in our global supply chains, which no single company can do this alone. Members are listening and learning from each other to address the most pressing and difficult issues we are all facing in different geographical regions, driving shared solutions to shared problems and making sure our targets become a reality. It’s the only way we can ensure our industry has a future.”

This program highlights the continued shift toward sustainability across all activities in the apparel value chain. When it comes to apparel decoration, experts are looking to on-demand production for its efficiency and sustainability.