A new benchmarking framework designed to measure energy use and carbon intensity across textile manufacturing processes has been introduced for the global apparel supply chain. The Energy and Carbon Benchmark enables performance comparisons across textile manufacturing facilities carrying out different production operations. Its developers say the tool is intended to create consistent performance baselines and guide industry investment in supplier-level decarbonisation.
- The benchmark was launched by the Apparel Impact Institute (AII) to help suppliers objectively assess their energy performance and identify cost-effective interventions that improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
- The framework provides data on total factory energy use, departmental emissions profiles, energy sources and materials, enabling year-on-year performance tracking and comparisons across facilities and regions.
- Participating brands including H&M Group, AEO Inc, Gap, Target, J.Crew Group and PVH, alongside suppliers such as Elevate and KPI Mills, tested the benchmark during a pilot phase in late 2025.
- The Energy and Carbon Benchmark was formally released on 11 March 2026 as a voluntary reference framework intended to support industry-wide decarbonisation across the textile supply chain.
THE EMISSIONS CONTEXT: The Energy and Carbon Benchmark arrives as the apparel sector faces a renewed rise in greenhouse gas emissions after years of incremental progress. Industry tracking shows emissions from the sector increased nearly 8% in 2023 compared with the previous year. The rise, representing close to 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, has reinforced calls for clearer metrics to guide supply chain decarbonisation and align industry action.
- Emissions data cited by industry monitoring indicates that the apparel sector’s carbon footprint rose sharply in 2023, reversing earlier signs of stabilisation in sector-wide emissions trajectories.
- The benchmark was developed to support a unified value chain approach to emissions reduction by enabling comparable energy and carbon performance metrics across textile production facilities.
- Industry stakeholders have long lacked a shared definition of efficient energy performance in textile manufacturing, limiting the ability to benchmark supplier decarbonisation progress across regions.
- Developers say establishing consistent measurement baselines is necessary for brands and suppliers to coordinate decarbonisation strategies across increasingly complex global supply chains.
HOW THE BENCHMARK WORKS: The Energy and Carbon Benchmark introduces process-level metrics that allow textile manufacturing facilities to measure energy use and emissions across different production configurations. The framework distinguishes between facilities performing single processes and those running multiple operations on site. By doing so, it enables consistent comparisons of performance across suppliers, production systems and regions.
- The framework generates tailored benchmark figures based on factors such as energy sources, material types and specific manufacturing processes carried out within textile facilities.
- It provides visibility into total factory energy use and emissions profiles, while also allowing performance measurement at departmental levels within manufacturing operations.
- Facilities can track changes in their energy performance over time, allowing year-on-year comparisons and benchmarking against peer operations in other regions.
- The benchmark consolidates greenhouse gas performance data drawn from verified sources including the Higg Index, technical experts and direct mill assessments.
INDUSTRY ADOPTION: The Energy and Carbon Benchmark was developed through an open, expert-led industry process involving manufacturers, technical experts and brand partners. Early testing during a pilot phase in late 2025 included participation from several major apparel companies and textile suppliers. The framework is positioned as a voluntary reference designed to help brands, manufacturers and financial institutions align around consistent metrics for measuring decarbonisation progress.
- Several global apparel brands and textile suppliers participated in the pilot phase of the benchmark during late 2025 testing.
- Supporters say the benchmark enables suppliers to communicate energy and emissions performance to brand partners, strengthening the role of manufacturers in supply chain decarbonisation strategies.
- The framework is intended to encourage brands and suppliers to direct investment toward supplier-level energy efficiency improvements and emissions reduction measures.
- Governance of the initiative is evolving, with plans to replace the Technical Review Committee with a new Benchmark Advisory Committee to provide ongoing technical and strategic guidance for future iterations of the benchmark.
WHAT THEY SAID
This benchmarking tool helps suppliers objectively determine where they are in their sustainability journey, which in turn can support further cost-effective interventions resulting in more effective energy solutions, improved efficiency and decreased emissions. By communicating supplier performance to brands, Aii’s tool will help the industry to further recognise the importance of suppliers in apparel’s net-zero journey and strengthen support for supplier decarbonisation.
— Jimmy Summers
Vice President, Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability
Elevate Textiles
When it comes to industry decarbonisation efforts, fashion has historically struggled to define what good energy efficiency looks like. This benchmark was created in partnership with the apparel sector and establishes those baselines using sector data. It provides a meaningful tool that accelerates brand and supplier decarbonisation with transparency and clarity.
— Henrik Sundberg
Climate Impact Lead
H&M Group
This methodology provides a structured, quantitative and yet simple way for the fashion industry to assess energy use and carbon reduction opportunities. Ultimately, this benchmark will be available to all suppliers, no matter how big or small, allowing them to clearly communicate their carbon performance. This transparency will empower brands and financial institutions to reward top performers with commitments and financial incentives, while supporting others with improvement opportunities.
— Kurt Kipka
Chief Impact Officer
Apparel Impact Institute
