At its annual meeting at the end of September, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) announced the launch of the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) in collaboration with US sports brand Nike and US retailer Target.
MCAP was introduced as part of SAC’s decarbonization program, which is designed to “catalyze support and propel the sector toward ambitious and necessary carbon emissions reductions,” according to the coalition’s press release.
From decarbonization to net zero
SAC is a global multi-stakeholder alliance that brings together over 280 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, scientists and non-profit organizations. MCAP’s mission is to enable manufacturers to begin their decarbonization journey by measuring carbon emissions and developing scientifically aligned Scope 1 and 2 targets. The industry’s overarching goal is to reduce global CO2 emissions by 45 percent by 2030 (based on 2010 levels) and ultimately achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
“MCAP is an important initiative that unites manufacturers worldwide to accelerate action to achieve science-based emissions targets and reduce global carbon emissions at scale. By collaborating with industry leaders and offering scalable solutions, we can empower our industry to tackle emissions reductions and initiate the change we need to support a low-carbon transition,” comments Joyce Tsoi, Director of Collective Action Programs at SAC, in the release.
MCAP is open to both SAC members and non-members and is the result of Target’s Supplier Engagement Program and the Supplier Climate Action Program (SCAP), developed by Nike and its suppliers in collaboration with the World Resource Institute (WRI). .
“The special thing about MCAP is its comprehensive approach to providing step-by-step support to manufacturers. The program carefully integrates key management tools specifically tailored to the unique needs of manufacturing operations,” the statement said.
These tools include guidance on emissions measurement, risk assessment and benchmarking. These findings are then used for strategic planning. The program initially focuses on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in order to offer manufacturers a manageable starting point. In the long term, it is intended to help them achieve science-based targets covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
Achieve change in four steps
The following four elements form the core of MCAP:
- First, manufacturers should set, validate and disclose company-wide, scientifically based emissions reduction targets and recognize these as a fundamental step towards a sustainable future.
- Next, they receive recommendations and training on how to develop climate risk assessments for their operations, including physical and transition risks. Also to document these risks in order to establish connections with partners in the value chain, including brands.
- Manufacturers will then receive guidelines for developing their decarbonization plans, helping them meet the industry’s growing demand for transparency and enable effective allocation of investments and resources.
- MCAP encourages manufacturing companies to disclose their progress and publish these reports annually. “This commitment to openness will ensure accountability within companies and promote a collective culture of growth and innovation,” SAC said.
“On average, supply chain emissions account for more than 70 percent of a company’s greenhouse gas emissions. In order to set and achieve ambitious emissions reduction targets for the entire value chain, companies must support their suppliers. Programs like the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) and companies like Nike and Target are committed to helping delivery companies build their capacity to mitigate and improve climate change resilience. Beyond MCAP, WRI is pleased to partner with Nike to accelerate renewable energy solutions in strategic global markets – a key strategy to achieve these goals. This work is critical to advancing climate action globally,” concluded Liz Cook, Executive Vice President for Governance and Development, World Resource Institute.