Sharing its progress on driving collective action towards a more responsible industry, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) has released its 2022 annual report.
SAC is an impact-driven global convener of around half of the apparel and footwear industry.
In a statement, SAC said that it continues to expand its membership, welcoming 18 organisations representing every part of the industry’s global value chain. In the past two years, the SAC has seen its largest growth in over a decade, with over 280 members from more than 33 countries. Today, more than 21,000 organisations around the world use the Higg Index, making it the widely adopted suite of tools in the industry for measuring impact.
The SAC’s Decarbonisation Program aimed at supporting and driving the adoption of science-based targets (SBTs) and urgent emissions reduction. Through initiatives like Peer-to-Peer Learning Groups and training, the SAC has been fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As of 2022, 46 per cent of SAC members have set or begun the process of setting SBTs.
The Higg Index continues to play a vital role in measuring and understanding the industry’s impact. In 2022, the SAC made progress in evolving the suite of tools. The development of the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) 4.0 and the major revision of the Higg Brand & Retail Module (BRM) have improved the relevance of the tools in today’s landscape as the industry continues to evolve. The Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) had one of its largest updates to date, with the addition of more than 20 new materials and processes, a new material category for leather alternatives, and more.
Amina Razvi, CEO, SAC said, “The textile and apparel industry has rightly been facing increasing scrutiny from consumers, stakeholders, and regulators alike when it comes to its impact and progress. Against this backdrop, 2022 provided an opportunity for self-reflection for the SAC. It has ultimately helped us to learn, grow and evolve. We are even more certain that collective action is the only way we are going to transform into an industry that gives more than it takes — to the planet and its people.”
