The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) has launched a Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), in collaboration with industry leaders Nike and Target Corporation, as a critical component of its Decarbonisation Programme, designed to catalyse support and drive the sector toward ambitious and necessary CO2 emissions reductions.
- The SAC is actively gathering manufacturer interest in MCAP and plans to begin programme implementation in 2024.
VISION, MISSION: The long-term vision for MCAP is to help manufacturers eventually secure science-based targets that encompass Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
- The mission is to enable manufacturers to start their decarbonisation journey by providing an intermediate pathway for them to measure carbon emissions and develop science-aligned targets for Scope 1 and 2 where they have direct control.
- MCAP will serve as the crucial first step on this journey, providing the necessary tools and guidance to propel manufacturers toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
THE MCAP: MCAP excludes Scope 3 measurements because they often create a barrier for manufacturers taking steps toward setting science-aligned targets.
- By focusing on Scope 1 and 2 emissions initially, the programme aims to provide manufacturers with a manageable starting point for their decarbonisation journey.
- This programme will enable manufacturers to reduce energy use, save money, and meet the business expectations of their customers.
- It also aims to facilitate the sharing of learning and rapidly scale up best practices.
MCAP will provide a stepwise process to build manufacturers’ capability to accelerate target setting, and comprises four core elements:
- First, manufacturers set, validate, and disclose company-wide science-aligned emission reduction goals, recognising this as a fundamental step toward a sustainable future.
- Second, manufacturers receive recommendations and training on developing climate risk assessments for their operations, including physical and transition risks, documenting these risks to bridge connections with value chain partners, including brands.
- Next, manufacturers receive guidance for developing their decarbonization plans, responding to the industry’s growing call for transparency and enabling effective allocation of investments and resources.
- Finally, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, MCAP encourages manufacturers to annually disclose their progress and share reports publicly. This commitment to openness will ensure accountability within organizations and nurture a collective culture of growth and innovation.
These four elements will help empower manufacturers to take substantive actions in reducing emissions to combat climate change, improving operational efficiency and growth, and further advancing sustainability throughout the industry.
- The programme integrates key management tools tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of manufacturers. These tools include guidance on measuring emissions, assessing risk, benchmarking performance, and leveraging these insights to inform strategic planning.
THE BACKGROUND: The textiles and apparel industry faces the urgent need for collective action to significantly reduce global CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, based on its 2010 baseline, ultimately striving for net-zero emissions by 2050.
- MCAP evolved from both Target’s Supplier Engagement Program and the Supplier Climate Action Program (SCAP), which was co-developed by NIKE and its suppliers and in consultation with World Resource Institute (WRI).
WHAT THEY SAID:
MCAP represents a key initiative, uniting manufacturers globally to accelerate action towards science-aligned emissions targets, significantly reducing global CO2 emissions at scale. By partnering with industry leaders and offering scalable solutions, we can empower our industry to confront emission reductions and instigate the change we need to support low-carbon transition.
— Joyce Tsoi
Director of Collective Action Programs
Sustainable Apparel Coalition
At our size and scale, we have a responsibility to drive impact. With a challenge like climate change, we know we can’t do it alone. NIKE’s SCAP was designed to help suppliers take a leadership role in addressing their climate risk. Working with SAC and Target to develop the MCAP program is the next step in scaling impact across NIKE’s supply chain and the industry.
— Noel Kinder
Chief Sustainability Officer
Nike
Supply chain emissions amount, on average, to more than 70% of a company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To set, and achieve, ambitious emissions reduction targets across the value chain, companies need to support their suppliers. Programs like the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), and companies like Nike and Target, set out to do this by helping suppliers build their capacity to mitigate and become more resilient to climate change.
— Liz Cook
Executive Vice President (Governance & Development)
World Resource Institute
