ArticleJanuary 2022 – Our Carbon Leadership Program is currently expanding and we have added Water to our existing offerings which address Coal-Phase Out and On-site and Off-site renewable energy. Interested brands who would like to learn more can reach to Tamara Wulf- tamara@apparelimpact.org
For a video overview of the program, please click here
History:
In 2020, Aii collaborated with RESET Carbon to launch the Carbon Leadership Program, which merges the efforts of multiple apparel brands working to reduce their carbon output within their supply chains. These industry-leading brands are now using collective action to tackle carbon in the apparel supply chain where the biggest positive impacts can be made. Through this exciting collaboration, we are able to leverage the results and learnings from the program to share with the rest of the industry, leading to expanded value chain participation and significantly more carbon reduction industry wide.
What is the Carbon Leadership Program?
This program brings together action-oriented brands in the apparel industry to accelerate the implementation of their supply chain carbon targets, while also standardizing approaches with their suppliers so that they can be replicated by the rest of the industry. The supply chain participants collaborate on setting carbon targets, then share data and lessons learned in order to maximize carbon reduction throughout the industry.
How the program works – partnership and personalization:
Led by Aii’s strategic partner RESET Carbon, the program begins with an engineer-oriented benchmarking process using our standardized Carbon Tech Assessment. From the assessment, we can derive existing facility performance, provide tailored in-person support, and personalize training and tools for facilities to set and achieve carbon targets. Then, we utilize the data to inform the most relevant and impactful projects to take on next.
Brands that set carbon targets recognize that partnering with manufacturers is key to achieving their the carbon supply chain goals. We aim to set a path for brands to strategically work with manufacturers to set and achieve carbon targets.
The Carbon Leadership Program utilizes our carbon supplier toolkit, developed in partnership with RESET Carbon. The toolkit provides the structure and resources for brands and facilities to begin achieving supply chain carbon goals. As a result of the program, each factory establishes its own carbon target and a personalized action plan to achieve it. Supporting brands can then track their facilities’ progress in relation to their respective supply chain goals.
To date, the participating brands have found overlap on the personalized action plans ranging from energy efficiency to clean fuels and renewable energy. The next phase includes deploying implementation programs at participating facilities and prioritizing subsequent programs for further collective action.
The program focuses on three areas:
