Cascale Releases 2023 Annual Report Highlighting Progress and Vision for the Future

Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has released its 2023 Annual Report, showcasing the milestones, achievements, and strategic direction of Cascale over the past year, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and collective action at scale.

“2023 has been a year of significant transformation for Cascale. We have not only grown our membership and enhanced our tools but have also laid a strong foundation for future impact. Our commitment to driving sustainability and equitable business practices is stronger than ever. I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to collaborating with our members and the broader ecosystem to achieve our collective goals,” said Colin Browne, chief executive officer of Cascale.

This was a transformative year for Cascale, marked by significant growth, strategic initiatives, and impactful collaborations. The annual report provides an in-depth look at the organization’s efforts to enhance transparency, combat climate change, foster decent work, and build a nature-positive future. It also introduces the exciting rebranding of the organization and highlights the progress made with its flagship Higg Index tools. It is the second publication of its kind for Casale, with 2022 being the inaugural reporting year.

Key Highlights from the 2023 Annual Report:

• Growth and Engagement: Cascale's membership grew to over 300 entities across 34 countries, including retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, and NGOs. Membership also began to expand beyond textiles and apparel, and into adjacent product categories. Cascale’s membership now includes apparel, footwear, home furnishings, sporting and outdoor goods, and bags and luggage companies.
• Strategic Refresh: Cascale announced a new strategy, focusing efforts on achieving impact across three pillars: combating climate change, ensuring decent work for all, and fostering a nature-positive future.
• Decarbonization Initiatives: Significant progress in the Decarbonization Program, with over 50 percent of members committed to, or in the process of committing to Science-Based Targets.
• Higg Index Enhancements: Major updates to the Higg Brand & Retail Module (BRM) and Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM), improving data accuracy and alignment with global standards.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Strengthened relationships with key partners like the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), Worldly, and Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) to drive collective action and industry-wide impact.
• Strategic Rebranding: Introduction of Cascale's new brand identity, reflecting the evolving mission and vision for a sustainable future.

“What an eventful year! The progress we’ve made in 2023 is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff, Board, members, and stakeholders. While challenges remain, our path is filled with purpose, and we are more committed than ever to driving sustainable change across the industry,” said Tamar Hoek, board chair of Cascale, and senior policy director of sustainable fashion, Solidaridad.

Looking Ahead

As Cascale moves forward, it remains dedicated to catalyzing collective action toward an equitable and restorative consumer goods industry. The efforts in 2023 have laid a solid foundation for continued progress, and Cascale looks forward to working closely with its members and stakeholders to achieve even greater impact in the years to come. The future will also be a hot topic at Cascale’s Annual Meeting, to to be held September 9 to 11 in Munich, Germany.

Cascale invites all stakeholders to explore the full 2023 Annual Report and join in the shared journey toward a more sustainable future. Members can register for the upcoming Annual Meeting here.