The European Accelerator initiative launched in October last year and brings together Burberry, CHANEL, Ermenegildo Zegna Group, Jimmy Choo, Kering, Moncler Group and Prada Group.
Initially, the scheme focused on streamlining the way environmental information was gathered from suppliers through a standardised questionnaire.
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With this process now established, the focus is shifting to using the data collected to guide suppliers in evaluating their own operations and determining practical steps towards reducing emissions.
The European Accelerator is also developing technical support and shared approaches for suppliers across different parts of the fashion supply chain.
A new Decarbonisation Accelerator Framework will provide a voluntary self-assessment tool. It is intended to help suppliers balance environmental impact with technical feasibility and financial considerations when deciding their next steps.
The framework was developed using data from the initiative’s questionnaire and a pilot involving textile manufacturers, tanneries, makers of metal and plastic accessories, and finished-product manufacturers.
Quantis provided technical support, with contributions from Confindustria Moda, ICEC and Consorzio Physis.
“The progress being made by the European Accelerator demonstrates how collective action at a brand level can move beyond reporting to actively supporting suppliers to identify and advance decarbonisation solutions,” explained Eva von Alvensleben, executive director and secretary general at The Fashion Pact.
“By combining easier data collection, practical implementation support and collective renewable energy models, the Accelerator provides a framework intended to help suppliers assess and pursue decarbonisation opportunities.”
The framework will be made available as an open-source resource through the European Accelerator website. An accompanying implementation playbook will set out practical actions and include case studies from suppliers that have undertaken decarbonisation projects.
The environmental questionnaire remains open source and can be used by brands independently for supply-chain reporting. It has been updated following feedback from brands and suppliers, including revisions covering governance structures, emissions-calculation methods and details of decarbonisation investments.
The European Accelerator is also supporting a feasibility study for a collective power purchase agreement (PPA) involving suppliers in Italy’s Como textile district. PPAs are contracts for purchasing electricity, typically over an agreed period, and can provide greater price predictability for participating businesses.
According to the Confindustria Como Textile Group, energy accounts for approximately 40% of operating costs in the district.
The study is being co-financed by the European Accelerator and Confindustria Como, with Centro Tessile Serico Sostenibile, Consorzio Energia Lombardia Nord and J4Energy responsible for coordination and technical support.
The proposed arrangement would allow participating suppliers to procure renewable electricity collectively.
The study could lead to a district-level PPA for textile supply-chain companies in Italy, although no agreement has yet been confirmed.
The European Accelerator said the Como work could provide a model for similar initiatives in other Italian industrial districts and wider European fashion supply chains.
