Fashion's Climate Pledge in Peril: Cascale Report Warns Industry Lagging on Decarbonization
A sobering new report from industry sustainability collective Cascale paints a concerning picture for fashion's climate ambitions. The analysis, drawing on verified 2023-2024 data, indicates that efforts to cut carbon emissions across apparel, footwear, and textile manufacturing are progressing too slowly to align with global climate goals.
The 'State of the Industry 2026: Decarbonization Progress' report utilizes facility-level data from the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), focusing on Tier 1 (finished product) and Tier 2 (material) manufacturers. It introduces a new metric, Effective Energy Carbon Intensity (EECI), to gauge how efficiently the sector is tackling energy-related emissions—the primary source of direct and indirect operational carbon footprints.
Findings Echo Global Warnings
The report's conclusions align with broader assessments, such as a recent United Nations Environment Programme analysis, which warns current global policies are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C. Cascale cautions brands against making sourcing decisions based on broad national carbon averages, a practice that can mask inefficiencies. Instead, it emphasizes that deep, sustained collaboration with manufacturing partners—particularly at the material production level—is non-negotiable for real progress.
"The data leaves no room for interpretation: there are no easy fixes," said Jeremy Lardeau, Senior Vice President of the Cascale Higg Index. "True decarbonization requires transforming traditional sourcing relationships. Brands must move beyond shifting production locations and invest directly and meaningfully in facility-level upgrades. The climate imperative demands we rewrite the rulebook for how this industry operates."
The path forward will be a central topic at the upcoming Cascale Forum, scheduled for March 30 to April 1, 2026, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where manufacturers and sourcing executives are expected to take a leading role in the dialogue.
Industry Voices React
"This report is the wake-up call we needed," said Anya Sharma, a sustainable sourcing director for a major retailer. "It validates what many of us on the ground have seen—collaboration, not cost-cutting, is the only way forward. We're already using these insights to redesign our partnership models with key material suppliers."
"More data, more warnings, but where's the action?" fired back Leo Crawford, a climate campaigner with Fashion Act Now. "For decades, brands have outsourced responsibility along with their production. This isn't a call for 'collaboration'—it's an indictment of a voluntary system that lets polluters set their own pace while the planet burns. We need binding regulations, not another forum for talk."
"The new EECI metric is a practical tool," noted Dr. Elena Vance, a textile engineering professor. "It moves the conversation from vague commitments to measurable efficiency at the facility level. This granularity is crucial for targeting investments where they'll have the greatest impact, especially in energy-intensive Tier 2 processes."
This analysis is based on a report originally published by Just Style.
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