Latest news with #ColinBrowne
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cascale CEO Colin Browne To Step Down at End of July
AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., May 22, 2025 /3BL/ - Cascale today announced that CEO Colin Browne will step down from his role, effective July 31, 2025. Browne's decision to depart reflects a personal choice after leading the organization through a pivotal period of strategic reset and renewed ambition. 'Colin's steady leadership has been instrumental in stabilizing and refocusing Cascale over the past year,' said Tamar Hoek, Chair of the Board, and Senior Policy Director Sustainable Fashion, Solidaridad. 'He has helped lay a strong foundation for what's next and we are deeply grateful for his contributions.' Cascale enters this leadership transition from a position of clarity and momentum. Over the past 12 months, the organization has launched a bold new impact strategy, deepened engagement with manufacturers globally, purchased the assets of Better Buying, and advanced critical work on industry-wide decarbonization. These priorities — along with an emphasis on member value, and partnership — remain firmly in place. 'This has been an enlightening journey,' said Colin Browne. 'I'm proud of what we've achieved together and confident that the work ahead is in good hands. Cascale's mission is more important than ever, and I look forward to watching the team take it even further.' The executive team and Board will work closely together to guide Cascale through this next chapter. A global search for Browne's successor is currently underway. In the interim, the organization will maintain its strategic course, with senior leadership continuing to deliver on key priorities without pause. 'This is not a reset; it's a continuation,' said Hoek. 'Strong institutions don't pause when people change; they grow. Cascale remains focused on driving measurable impact across the value chain, and we are excited for what comes next.' ABOUT CASCALE Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Cascale
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariffs Impending, Vietnam-Based Apparel Manufacturers Speak Out
Collaboration on decarbonization, human rights anchors discussions at Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS; HONG KONG; OAKLAND, CA / ACCESS Newswire / May 19, 2025 / At the recent Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City, over 600 manufacturers, leading brands, service providers, and supply chain partners - Cascale members and non-members alike - convened to address urgent challenges and opportunities in the consumer goods value chain. Topics spanned industry decarbonization, trade shifts, regulatory changes, facility improvements, responsible contracting, worker rights, and more. Discussions were especially critical for Vietnam-based apparel manufacturers, who may face impacts of higher U.S. tariffs when a 90-day pause on proposed 46-percent tariffs ends on July 8. A dedicated Vietnamese stage spotlighted local expertise and leadership, and the entire program was delivered bilingually to ensure full participation from Vietnamese stakeholders. Colin Browne, Cascale CEO, opened the event by challenging brands and suppliers to work together to set Science-Based Targets (SBTs) for decarbonization. "Setting an SBT without close consultation with one's supply chain is unacceptable and irresponsible given the near-term deadline of 2030," he said. "But with the right actionable data and mutual support, there is hope." Vu Duc Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association (VITAS, a Cascale association partner), delivered the opening keynote address. "None of us can go alone - collaboration is the only way," he said. "When brands, manufacturers, organizations and governments come together and share responsibility, any goal can be achieved." During the session "Navigating Global Policy: Impact on Sourcing Countries & Strategies," Andrew Martin, Cascale executive vice president, said: "In EMEA and the Americas, manufacturers are navigating an evolving maze of often conflicting regulations. Yet in the Asia-Pacific region, regulation is fast becoming strategy - as we are increasingly seeing many countries stepping up with more progressive policies. To support this, Cascale advocates for clear, consistent guidance that manufacturers can actually use. We're actively engaging across all three regions to push for global and regional frameworks that are practical, aligned, and grounded in manufacturers' realities. The Cascale Forum in Ho Chi Minh City reminds us that while policy can shift and stall, manufacturers have a great opportunity to lead. Our ongoing mandate is to ensure that this progress isn't slowed by uncertainty - but accelerated through collaboration." With Worldly, Cascale recently released a new report, "Navigating Regulation and Building Resilience: Key Trends in Corporate Supply Chain Responsibility for APAC in 2025," available in both Vietnamese and Chinese. Vietnam-based manufacturers spoke up at the Cascale Better Buying: Creating Shared Value for Buyers & Suppliers to Drive Decent Work for All session, reporting fears that global brand customers will pressure them to shoulder the costs of tariff impacts. They also urged prioritization of worker protections in high-risk countries like Vietnam, where apparel production employs three million people. "Manufacturers are clear: Global brands should not use tariffs as an excuse to roll back on their responsible business commitments," said Lindsay Wright, director of communications and strategic partnerships, Better Buying, Cascale. "If they do, the consumer goods industry will have to pick up the pieces later." Leonie Vaas, general manager - sustainability at Hirdaramani Apparel presented a case study during the session "From Factory Floor to Global Impact: How Manufacturers are Leading the Way." With a manufacturing footprint that includes over 30 facilities across Asia and Africa - including Vietnam - Hirdaramani embeds ESG practices into operations across regions. "At Hirdaramani, our Future First Sustainability Roadmap is built on the belief that manufacturers can be powerful catalysts for real change," she said. "By embedding sustainability into every part of our operations, from energy and water to employee well-being and community empowerment, we are not just meeting global standards - we are helping shape them. Aligned with global agendas such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our Future First Roadmap is scalable across markets, collaborative, and impact-driven, enabling us to work closely with our partners. As an apparel manufacturer, we know that what we do matters, and delivering progress starts with taking responsibility." Matthew Guenther, vice president of corporate sustainability at TAL Apparel Ltd, which manufactures in Ethiopia, Thailand, and Vietnam, contributed to the session "Vietnam's DPPA: Powering Decarbonization Opportunities" by sharing TAL's perspective on the importance of renewable energy access for manufacturers. "Renewable electricity is a key intervention on our decarbonization roadmap," he said. "Rooftop solar will only provide 20-25 percent of our renewable electricity needs. Access to offsite renewable electricity projects, such as that offered through Vietnam's DPPA, would be a big unlock for our company to achieve our net-zero target." Adele Stafford, chief growth officer at Worldly, the leading platform for sustainability data and analytics in consumer goods supply chains, led the Worldly Product Roadmap - Data to Action session. As the Higg Index tools are owned and developed by Cascale and exclusively available on Worldly, the two organizations are tightly integrated, Stafford shared. "Cascale drives industry alignment and standards, while Worldly operationalizes those standards with scalable, dynamic technology,"she said. "Our shared mission is driving positive impact across the largest engaged supply chain network in the industry." Stafford also reported growing momentum on the platform: Over 20,000 Higg Facility Environmental Modules (FEMs) have already been completed in 2025, with each supplier sharing data with an average of four brands, improving efficiency. Presented by Lead Partner Worldly, the Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City agenda was shaped by leaders from the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), Crystal International, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Hirdaramani Group, New Balance, Puma Group, and VITAS, who served on the event's program advisory council. More information about programming, speakers, and sponsors can be found on the Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City webpage. Next up? The Cascale Annual Meeting 2025, taking place September 15-17 in Hong Kong. Visit the Cascale Annual Meeting 2025 webpage for more information and sponsorship opportunities. ABOUT CASCALE Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cascale on Contact Info:Spokesperson: CascaleWebsite: Email: info@ SOURCE: Cascale View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
18-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Focused Impact: Cascale's Path to 2030
In our latest blog post, Cascale CEO Colin Browne unveils our refined strategy for accelerating collective action across the consumer goods industry. He shares key insights into our renewed focus on driving measurable impact through two strategic pillars: tackling climate change and supporting decent work for all. From the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap to Better Buying, Browne outlines how Cascale is aligning its members around shared priorities, practical tools, and measurable outcomes to create lasting change. Read the full blog, titled: Focused Impact: Cascale's Path to 2030 Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Cascale
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cascale, Aii report shows Vietnam gains ground in apparel's low-carbon shift
The report titled "Vietnam Country Report: Macroeconomic, Socioeconomic, and Industry Analysis" provides an in-depth look at Vietnam's economic and industrial landscape. It is the first of a series that integrates insights from Cascale's sustainability assessment tool, Higg Facility Environment Module (FEM), exclusively featured on Worldly. An analysis of over 1,200 verified Higg FEM submissions from 2023 reveals a significant carbon footprint due to coal usage, with 12% of facilities directly using coal and 94% dependent on Vietnam's coal-heavy electricity grid. Despite this, renewable energy makes up less than 2% of energy consumption within the sector, presenting a substantial opportunity for transitioning to greener practices as outlined in the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR) by Cascale and Aii. As per the report, Vietnam's economic forecast shows a promising 6.5% growth rate by 2025, surpassing its regional counterparts. The manufacturing industry remains a cornerstone of this growth, accounting for nearly 23.88% of GDP in 2023. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) also reflects strong investor confidence, with $31.4bn recorded in the initial 11 months of 2024. The apparel and footwear industry generates three million workers and was estimated to contribute $71bn in export revenues for Vietnam in 2024. However, it also confronts serious sustainability issues, such as high energy use and carbon emissions. Vietnam has pledged to enhance its renewable energy usage by 65-70% by 2045, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 70-80%, demonstrating its commitment to supply chain decarbonisation aligned with the IDR. The IDR ensures that resources are allocated effectively, enabling the realisation of low-carbon sourcing and additional advantages. This involves concentrating efforts on the critical 10% of sites within the textile and apparel supply chain, some of which are located in Vietnam, as these are responsible for more than 80% of the worldwide manufacturing emissions. The report recommends prioritising the uptake of renewable energy and the implementation of circular economy practices. It urges brands to cultivate enduring partnerships with their supply chain collaborators, which will promote fairness and catalyse reformative business methods. There is an emphasis on investing in the enhancement of employee skills, especially in areas related to sustainability and environmentally friendly technologies. The report also recommended staying informed about changes in Vietnam's regulatory landscape to guarantee adherence to regulations and to take advantage of emerging market prospects. Cascale CEO Colin Browne said: 'This isn't merely about compliance—it's about long-term competitiveness. Brands increasingly prefer suppliers who meet robust sustainability standards. Manufacturers investing in sustainability today will secure long-term brand partnerships tomorrow.' In March this year, Cascale revised its Higg Brand and Retail Module (Higg BRM), which is part of the Higg Index, to correspond with EU sustainability reporting rules and legislation. "Cascale, Aii report shows Vietnam gains ground in apparel's low-carbon shift" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cascale, Aii report shows Vietnam gains ground in apparel's low-carbon shift
The report titled "Vietnam Country Report: Macroeconomic, Socioeconomic, and Industry Analysis" provides an in-depth look at Vietnam's economic and industrial landscape. It is the first of a series that integrates insights from Cascale's sustainability assessment tool, Higg Facility Environment Module (FEM), exclusively featured on Worldly. An analysis of over 1,200 verified Higg FEM submissions from 2023 reveals a significant carbon footprint due to coal usage, with 12% of facilities directly using coal and 94% dependent on Vietnam's coal-heavy electricity grid. Despite this, renewable energy makes up less than 2% of energy consumption within the sector, presenting a substantial opportunity for transitioning to greener practices as outlined in the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR) by Cascale and Aii. As per the report, Vietnam's economic forecast shows a promising 6.5% growth rate by 2025, surpassing its regional counterparts. The manufacturing industry remains a cornerstone of this growth, accounting for nearly 23.88% of GDP in 2023. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) also reflects strong investor confidence, with $31.4bn recorded in the initial 11 months of 2024. The apparel and footwear industry generates three million workers and was estimated to contribute $71bn in export revenues for Vietnam in 2024. However, it also confronts serious sustainability issues, such as high energy use and carbon emissions. Vietnam has pledged to enhance its renewable energy usage by 65-70% by 2045, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 70-80%, demonstrating its commitment to supply chain decarbonisation aligned with the IDR. The IDR ensures that resources are allocated effectively, enabling the realisation of low-carbon sourcing and additional advantages. This involves concentrating efforts on the critical 10% of sites within the textile and apparel supply chain, some of which are located in Vietnam, as these are responsible for more than 80% of the worldwide manufacturing emissions. The report recommends prioritising the uptake of renewable energy and the implementation of circular economy practices. It urges brands to cultivate enduring partnerships with their supply chain collaborators, which will promote fairness and catalyse reformative business methods. There is an emphasis on investing in the enhancement of employee skills, especially in areas related to sustainability and environmentally friendly technologies. The report also recommended staying informed about changes in Vietnam's regulatory landscape to guarantee adherence to regulations and to take advantage of emerging market prospects. Cascale CEO Colin Browne said: 'This isn't merely about compliance—it's about long-term competitiveness. Brands increasingly prefer suppliers who meet robust sustainability standards. Manufacturers investing in sustainability today will secure long-term brand partnerships tomorrow.' In March this year, Cascale revised its Higg Brand and Retail Module (Higg BRM), which is part of the Higg Index, to correspond with EU sustainability reporting rules and legislation. "Cascale, Aii report shows Vietnam gains ground in apparel's low-carbon shift" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
