Enabling climate action through FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE

Setting targets that align with the latest climate science is a crucial step for a company to achieve their climate action strategy. By committing to science-based targets (SBTs), fashion brands, retailers and suppliers not only demonstrate accountability but also future-proof their operations against environmental risks, meet growing consumer demand for sustainability, and stay ahead of increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.

However, setting SBTs can be a complex process. One of the most significant challenges fashion companies face in setting SBTs is the complexity of gathering accurate and comprehensive data. The fashion industry’s fragmented nature means that emissions occur at multiple stages of the value chain, from raw material extraction and processing to production, transportation, and retail. Tracking these emissions requires companies to engage with a wide range of suppliers, many of whom may lack robust systems for monitoring and reporting their environmental impact.

This is where FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE steps in. The programme, launched in 2022 by Zalando, ABOUT YOU Group, ASOS, BOOZT, Selfridges Group and YOOX NET-A-PORTER, offers a free-of-cost, immersive 8-week educational journey, equipping brands with the knowledge and tools needed to set science-based targets. 

Our brand partner Steve Madden joined FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE in 2022 and had their science based targets validated in 2023. These targets provide a structured approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring the company aligns its efforts with global climate goals and reinforces transparency throughout its supply chain. 

We talked to Steve Madden’s Chief Sustainability Officer Gregg Meyer about their journey within FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE. Learn more about their challenges and learnings in this interview.

Could you walk us through your journey within FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE? 

The FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE initiative served as an educational platform, providing insights into the pressing challenges and opportunities within climate action. The programme guides you through the key sustainability principles, helping identify which aspects of the business needed the most attention—from reducing emissions to enhancing transparency within the supply chain.

This initiative also gave us the tools to better collaborate with both our internal teams and external partners on sustainability goals. While our global headquarters set targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for all our enterprises, FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE played a crucial role in preparing our European office for this challenge. It allowed us to transition from theory to action, ensuring that sustainability became an integral part of our operational mindset and long-term strategy.

Ultimately, the experience underscored our commitment to leading by example in the industry, enabling us to not only meet evolving regulatory requirements but also satisfy the increasing demands for sustainability from both our customers and partners.

While Steve Madden Europe was going through this process, our main office in New York was diving deep into the process as well, utilising various consultants and internal staff to learn and ultimately set targets, and folding Steve Madden Europe into the process was made that much easier by the team's participation in the LEAP programme.

What were the key challenges you encountered when setting science-based targets (SBTs)?

Collecting the necessary data to establish our footprint throughout a very complex supply chain and continuing that data collection is the main challenge. Fortunately, the internal culture of the company has been mostly receptive to this effort, though not without challenges.

How significant was collaboration with other brands during the FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE programme? 

 Collaboration is one of the most valuable aspects of the experience. Sustainability is a complex, industry-wide challenge that requires collective effort. By working together with other brands, we were able to exchange ideas, share best practices, and better understand the challenges and solutions that are unique to the fashion sector.

What long-term changes do you foresee in your operations as a result of adopting SBTs?

Steve Madden’s entire global operation is evolving in response to the climate crisis – not only by setting targets but by seeking numerous ways to achieve those targets through transitioning to lower carbon materials as well as other methods to decarbonise our supply chain.