"A new era of impact for global apparel and consumer goods"
* The global nonprofit alliance, empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry, retains its mission and expands its reach; co-founder
"Cascale's vision reflects my mission to inspire responsible businesses that commit to transparency and benefit people and the planet," said
The "Cas" in Cascale is "SAC" reversed, while "CA" refers to "collective action," and "scale" references scaled ambitions. The "C" in Cascale evokes a new "phase" similar to lunar cycles in nature, as well as moonlight or a mirrored reflection. The logo's elements symbolize the organization's three member categories, and external stakeholders, all critical players in advancing the unified strategy announced in
"Over the years, this organization has consistently demonstrated commitment to living out its values and embracing change for collective good," said
"Collaboration is at the heart of creating positive change in the industry," said
HISTORY & HIGG INDEX
In 2009, Walmart and Patagonia founded the SAC to convene apparel industry stakeholders on a pre-competitive basis and develop a common approach to measuring sustainability. In 2010, the SAC launched the Higg Index suite of tools, which are used by businesses and organizations to measure, evaluate, and improve social and environmental impact in the textile, apparel, and footwear industry. Each year, over 24,000 users rely on the Higg Index for improved benchmarking, reduced auditing, and proactive action. As home furnishings, sporting and outdoor goods, and bags and luggage companies began joining the SAC and using the Higg Index tools alongside existing corporate and non-corporate SAC members, the organization identified the need for a more expansive name: Cascale reflects its goal of scaling collective action. As of
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PROGRAMS
Cascale drives impact at scale through three foundational pillars - Combat Climate Change, Decent Work for All, and Nature Positive Future - forming a unified strategy for industry transformation through collective action programs that guide members from action to impact. The Decarbonization Program, launched in 2022, is one leading example of these programs in action: It aims for members to achieve a 45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. As of 2023, Cascale's corporate members are required to set science-based targets (SBTs) for reducing GHG emissions; by the end of that year, when the organization launched the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), over 50 percent of these members had set or committed to set SBTs.
Cascale is now building and expanding impact programs focused on responsible corporate practices, circular product design, and responsible manufacturing, while advocating for effective policy that aims to leverage collective action, making systemic change not just possible but inevitable.
"We know that synergies exist across industries and regions. Building on our experience and success in bringing together different actors across global apparel and footwear value chains to create shared tools and solutions, now is the time to expand our reach and engage a wider membership base to drive collective action at scale," said
PARTNERSHIPS
Cascale continues to act on the belief that partnership is the new leadership. Traditional business models exacerbate rather than mitigate social and environmental problems; accepting the status quo is antithetical to the organization's mission. Cascale works collaboratively to shift the industry from silos to collective action: With the
"Stakeholders across the value chain prioritize sustainability performance aimed at industry-wide harmonization, reduction of duplicative efforts, and radical collaboration for tool, program, and policy adoption," said
Cascale's rebrand announcement video is viewable here.
ABOUT CASCALE
Cascale [www.cascale.org] is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Spanning over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe, we are united by a singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. Formerly known as the
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