Aii Launches Benchmarking Tool to Accelerate Fashion Decarbonisation

Why It Matters

The tool gives brands verifiable data to target supplier emissions, unlocking cost‑effective decarbonisation pathways and reducing fashion’s growing carbon footprint.

Key Takeaways

• Emissions in apparel rose 8% in 2023
• Benchmark offers facility‑level energy and carbon data
• Major brands and suppliers participated in 2025 pilot
• Tool aligns with science‑based targets for net‑zero
• Transparent metrics enable financial incentives for top performers

Pulse Analysis

The apparel industry now accounts for roughly 2% of global greenhouse‑gas emissions, and 2023 marked the first year of an 8% emissions uptick since systematic tracking began. This reversal highlights the urgency for granular, science‑aligned data that can pinpoint inefficiencies across the sprawling supply chain. Aii’s new Benchmark responds to that need by delivering process‑level energy and carbon metrics, turning opaque factory operations into actionable intelligence for sustainability teams.

Built on verified inputs from the Higg Index, direct mill assessments, and expert advisory panels, the Benchmark translates raw energy use into comparable performance scores. Factories can see how their electricity mix, material choices, and specific processes stack up against peers in the same region or product category. For brands, this creates a reliable basis to set supplier targets, negotiate contracts, and allocate decarbonisation budgets where they will have the greatest impact. Suppliers, in turn, gain a clear roadmap for efficiency upgrades that can lower operating costs while meeting increasingly stringent ESG expectations.

Beyond immediate emissions reductions, the tool paves the way for financial mechanisms that reward high‑performing factories. Investors and lenders can incorporate Benchmark scores into credit assessments, while retailers can tie procurement incentives to verified carbon performance. As more companies adopt the system, industry‑wide baselines will emerge, fostering a common language for sustainability and accelerating the fashion sector’s journey toward net‑zero. The collaborative, open‑process development of the Benchmark also signals a shift toward shared responsibility among brands, suppliers, and technology providers.