Aii Impact Report outlines results from global programmes in 2022

The report demonstrates the nonprofit’s ongoing commitment and successes in identifying, funding, scaling, and measuring the fashion industry’s proven solutions to help achieve Science Based Targets.

The year 2022 was a time of expansion and momentous growth for Aii. It broadened its reach, increasing the number of regions it serves in the Target Setting programmes to 28. Of that group, 10 regions are also participating in Implementation programmes. It enhanced the portfolio of implementation partners, making for increased capacity to cover more regions, programmes, and facilities. The organisation also expanded its intervention offerings from 2 to 5, Aii said in the 2022 Impact Report.

Aii launched the $250 million Fashion Climate Fund which has the potential to unlock $2 billion of blended capital. Besides forging new relationships with a myriad of brands, manufacturers, and facilities, the nonprofit strengthened and refined its governance by creating the CSP Advisory Council and welcoming a new board member.

The report also talks about the cost effectiveness of Aii programmes. In 2022, Aii measured the impact of Aii programmes relative to the cost expended. Aii programmes cost $17 per ton of CO2e reduced compared to an average of $67 per ton for alternative decarbonisation strategies (i.e. solar thermal, offshore wind, etc) – attributable to the strength and effectiveness of Clean By Design programmes. Cost effectiveness will be a key benchmark as Aii measures the effectiveness of decarbonisation solutions/programmes in building the Climate Solutions Portfolio.

Intensive research conducted and published by Aii and WRI in the report, Roadmap to Net Zero, concluded that six interventions would help the sector deliver the reductions needed for a 1.5 degree-Celsius pathway. In 2022, Aii expanded its programme coverage from 2 interventions (energy efficiency and renewable energy) to 5 (adding maximising material efficiency, scaling sustainable materials and practices, and eliminating coal in manufacturing).

The report further added that 56,346 tonnes of GHG emissions were saved as a result of facilities that completed Aii programmes in 2022.

Lewis Perkins, president, Aii, said in a letter in the report: “In 2022, 380 facilities around the world completed an Aii programme, and 220 facilities were active in an Aii programme, which included participation in Clean by Design, Carbon Tech Assessment or our Carbon Target Setting. In all cases, our programmes are aligned with interventions identified in the Roadmap to Net Zero Report we co-authored with WRI. In our programmes and partnerships, we are convening the most cost-effective and scalable solutions to reduce carbon in the apparel supply chain.

“Recognising that limited access to finances may hinder some facilities from participating in impactful solutions programmes, and more innovators could boost the industry’s decarbonisation efforts with appropriate funding, we launched the Fashion Climate Fund in June 2022. This fund is a platform from which we will better identify, fund, scale, and measure impactful climate solutions. With our lead funders H&M Group, H&M Foundation, Lululemon, the PVH Foundation, Target Corporation, and The Schmidt Family Foundation, we are building a $250 million donor collaborative, putting those funds into action to unlock $2 billion in financial capital to support cutting carbon emissions in half by 2030.”

The report has also covered planned programme expansion areas for 2023, planned ecosystem leadership, including the building out of the Climate Solutions Portfolio and increased fundraising and grant making through the Fashion Climate Fund, and more.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)