Not all of the fashion industry is playing its part on the climate, according to the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action

As a disappointing COP30 in Belém, Brazil, drew to a close in late November, the Fashion for Climate initiative released its annual report on December 16 on the global fashion industry's sustainability efforts. Titled “From Commitments to Transparency,” the report outlines efforts that are stalling.

Seven years after the launch of the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, climate commitments are now widely articulated, shared and integrated into strategic discourse. However, the transition remains incomplete and unevenly implemented, particularly when it comes to turning promises into measurable emissions reductions.

60% of participating companies on the way to Scopes 1 and 2

The Charter's stated objective is clear: to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with significant progress expected by 2030, in line with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. To achieve this, it structures the action around a series of commitments that cover all greenhouse gases (GHG), aligned with the international Scopes framework. Scope 1 covers direct emissions (combustion, industrial processes), Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from electricity generation and Scope 3 covers other indirect emissions, in particular those from the supply chain, from raw materials to product use.

The newly published report compiles data submitted by 69 signatory companies for the year 2024. Its initial conclusions are mixed. In Scopes 1 and 2, the results are relatively encouraging: almost 60% of the companies analyzed are on track to meet their reduction objectives. Increasing use of renewable electricity, energy efficiency programs and the phase-out of coal contribute to this progress.

Indirect greenhouse gas emissions beyond electricity darken the picture

Several companies offer concrete examples of these trends. Japanese manufacturer YKK, for example, has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 57% since 2018, while completely eliminating coal boilers and powering more than 60% of its facilities with renewable electricity. Meanwhile, Crystal International Group demonstrates that energy efficiency can produce rapid results: thanks to more than 200 targeted projects in its factories, its carbon intensity has fallen dramatically in just one year.

In contrast, Scope 3, which accounts for the majority of the sector's carbon footprint, remains the main area of ​​weakness. According to the report, only 30% of signatories are currently on a trajectory compatible with their objectives. This difficulty arises from the structural complexity of fashion: dependence on globalized supply chains, multiplicity of suppliers and unequal access to low-carbon technologies and finance.

Unequal individual efforts

The report also highlights that transparency is improving, but remains uneven. While 80% of companies now report their emissions in all three scopes, many still struggle to provide comprehensive and comparable data, particularly for Scope 3. As Fashion for Climate points out, without robust data, it is impossible to drive decarbonization effectively. However, some initiatives seem to show the way. Adidas, for example, has developed its internal ecological design tool EPIC, capable of measuring the carbon footprint of a product throughout its entire life cycle. By integrating this data from the design stage, the brand demonstrates how measurement can become a strategic lever for transformation.

Finally, the report highlights a growing divide between “leaders” and “starters.” The former combine validated objectives, quantified transition plans, renewable energy adoption and supplier commitment. The latter are still in the measurement or reporting stage. This asymmetry poses a significant risk: without stronger mechanisms for cooperation, financing and sharing of best practices, the collective trajectory will remain insufficient, the report concludes.