Fashion CEOs on Mission to Decarbonise Suppliers

The Fashion Pact, a coalition of more than 55 fashion CEOs, has launched an initiative with brands including CHANEL, Kering, Moncler Group and Prada Group.

The move comes as an estimated €4.4bn (US$5.1bn) is needed by 2030 for the European fashion sector to meet its decarbonisation targets, according to TEHA Group’s Just Fashion Transition 2025 report.

The Pact’s European Accelerator aims to harmonise supplier data, build supplier capacity and unlock finance to support sustainability.

Eva von Alvensleben, Executive Director and Secretary General of The Fashion Pact, says: “This unprecedented level of collective commitment marks an important step forward for our industry.

"By encouraging harmonised environmental data practices, we are not only strengthening the quality and consistency of sustainability data, but also significantly reducing the reporting burden on suppliers.”

Eva explained that this approach "streamlines oversight across the value chain and will help brands to accelerate decarbonisation strategies. It demonstrates the power of collective action in driving systemic change". 

Harmonising environmental data collection

The Pact’s European Accelerator has developed a questionnaire for suppliers that aims to reduce the administrative burden of sustainability reporting.

The questionnaire focuses on energy, water and waste data, and has been tested over a six-week period with 74 suppliers in Italy, with input from Camera Nazionale della Moda, the National Chamber for Italian Fashion.

Developed in partnership with BCG company Quantis, the questionnaire has been made available to all fashion brands on an optional and non-exclusive basis. It is already in use with several suppliers and will be rolled out and updated regularly by a technical committee.

Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Prada Group, says: “The European Accelerator is a significant and strategic step forward for our industry."

Harmonising environmental data collection

The Pact’s European Accelerator has developed a questionnaire for suppliers that aims to reduce the administrative burden of sustainability reporting.

The questionnaire focuses on energy, water and waste data, and has been tested over a six-week period with 74 suppliers in Italy, with input from Camera Nazionale della Moda, the National Chamber for Italian Fashion.

Developed in partnership with BCG company, Quantis, the questionnaire has been made available to all fashion brands on an optional and non-exclusive basis. It is already in use with several suppliers and will be rolled out and updated regularly by a technical committee.

Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Prada Group, says: “The European Accelerator is a significant and strategic step forward for our industry.

"By establishing a harmonised framework for environmental data collection, it facilitates more consistent and reliable reporting, while also reinforcing our shared commitment to support the value chain.

"The Accelerator demonstrates the importance of collective action in accelerating the sector's transition to more sustainable practices.”

Streamlining supplier reporting

The value of a unified approach has been noted by those involved in the pilot.

Lucia Mantero, Product Development Director of Mantero, says: “Taking part in the European Accelerator pilot questionnaire has been very valuable for us. Before, every brand asked for environmental data in a different way — now we can share one consistent set of figures, saving time and improving reliability.

“The clearer questions help us provide more accurate information and see where we can improve. Most importantly, this shared approach strengthens collaboration and trust between suppliers and brands, making sustainability progress more meaningful.”

Decarbonising Italian supply chains

Many luxury brands concentrate their production in Italy.

According to TEHA Group’s Just Fashion Transition 2025 report, economic pressures like high debt ratios are making the required investment levels unaffordable for around 58% of suppliers.

This could hinder the €4.4bn (US$5.1bn) of investment needed by 2030 for the European fashion sector to meet decarbonisation targets.

Alongside its pilot questionnaire, the Accelerator aims to address this hurdle and work to open pathways for suppliers to access the investment needed for cleaner technologies.

The questionnaire’s simplified reporting process could increase capacity-building efforts among suppliers and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements and renewable energy uptake.

Edoardo Zegna, Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer at Ermenegildo Zegna Group, says: “To drive real progress within our sector, we must work together to find shared solutions to common challenges.

"With the European Accelerator, we’ve been able to strike a good balance between the need of brands to get robust environmental data, and the effort of suppliers to provide it.”

Edoardo believes, “Trust, open discussions and willingness to find a common ground are the key enablers of this initiative. By adopting a harmonised approach, we can encourage the integration of this questionnaire to all the brands of our sector.”