The company has engaged with the Apparel Impact Institute to train its suppliers on energy efficiency and renewable energy and has begun working on pre-feasibility studies with GIZ. However, there is no evidence that the brand provides any financial support to suppliers for decarbonization.
Despite having no targets, the company reported a positive decrease of 17% in total Scope 3 emissions in 2023 compared to its 2019 baseline.
Abercrombie & Fitch should focus urgently on setting ambitious supply chain targets and improve advocacy efforts to support renewable energy policies.
Total Score
D-
Manufacturing Emissions Change
-20
2023 Score
None
About the Scorecards
As the rampant production of fossil-fueled clothing continues to rise, contributing at least 4% of global emissions, the fashion industry must urgently correct course by ending its dependency on fossil fuels for manufacturing, transportation, and raw materials.
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* Baseline year for emissions comparison: 2019
Emissions change of Scope 3 Category 1 emissions when compared with the brand’s baseline year. Emissions change of -27% is used as the benchmark for alignment with 1.5C, based on 50% total reduction by 2030 compared with 2018 levels.
Score Breakdown
Climate and Net Zero Targets
Scope 1 and 2: Abercrombie & Fitch has a below benchmark target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 47% by 2030 from a baseline year of 2019. The company has no targets which include its supply chain, which represents the vast majority of its emissions.
Mid-term (2035, 2040) targets: None
Published Net Zero roadmap: No
Renewable Energy Targets
No targets to increase renewable energy in its own operations or supply chain.
Thermal Coal Phase Out
No public target to phase out coal for heat or steam in its manufacturing.
Transparency
Emissions data: Abercrombie & Fitch reports its full emissions to CDP, but does not provide any detail on emissions by country or supplier tier.
Supply chain energy data: Does not report any supply chain energy or electricity data.
Supplier lists published: Tier 1 and 90% of Tier 2 published
Supplier list link
https://corporate.abercrombie.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Active-Factory-List-2024.xlsx
Training, feasibility studies, and non-financial support for climate action
As part of Climate Leadership Program reports that 18 cut/sew, 30 laundry (standalone & vertical), 20 mill, and 13 trim facilities across 12 countries completed the Aii Carbon Tech Assessment. In 2023, through Cascale, A&F Co. collaborated with GIZ’s Project Development Program (PDP) to accelerate supply chain decarbonization by conducting pre-feasibility studies for rooftop solar, nominating Tier 1 factories in Cambodia and Vietnam to promote renewable energy adoption.
Additional, targeted support for transition planning: Working on pre-feasibility studies with GIZ. Has the goal: (1) 100% of Tier 1 and 2 suppliers to complete environmental self-assessment annually by 2025 (2) 80% of Tier 1 and 2 suppliers to verify environmental self-assessment by 2025.
Financial Support for Decarbonization
Loans and financing: No evidence
Collective financing initiatives: No evidence
Direct/debt-free financing: No evidence
Responsible/equitable buying to enable climate action
Purchasing decisions incentivize climate action: No evidence
Equitable/long-term sourcing to enable climate action: No evidence
Prices enable climate action: No evidence
Climate Adaptation
Adaptation/worker just transition training funded or provided: Some under Aii Carbon Leadership Program.
Emergency support developed with local groups: No evidence
Decarbonization Progress
Reducing manufacturing emissions: 2023 data not yet available but reports a 20% overall emissions reduction against baseline and a significant emissions reduction in the last year of data.
Increasing supply chain renewable electricity: No
Coal phase out transition progress: No
Commitment to phase out fossil fuel-derived fibers
No commitment to phase out fossil fuel derived fibers entirely. Brand has a recycled polyester target of 25% by 2025.
Deforestation-free materials
Leather: Brand aims to target deforestation free leather by 2030
Man-made Cellulosic Fibers: Brand aims to target deforestation free MMCF by 2025.
Low-carbon materials
Unclear on large scale investment. A few examples include; Blue Jeans Go Green & Martex Fibres – Denim recycling. Brand says in order to divert waste from landfill, A&F Co. partners with recyclers that are able to put denim and fabric scraps to productive use.
Increasing Circularity
Abercrombie & Fitch does not have any public targets to increase the use of recycled, regenerative or organic cotton or wool, except for a lower-impact commitment to 30% BCI cotton by 2030. The company does not currently offer repairs but does offer some recommerce through the ThredUp platform.
Target & increase recycled cotton
Recycled cotton does not have a target. Brand has a goal to use 30% Better Cotton by 2024.
100% recycled/organic/regen cotton + wool, report on progress
No. Has a goal to use 30% Better Cotton by 2024.
Support farmers, transition to regen/organic farming
No.
Resale/repair – % total sales/disclosure on #
No repairs offered. Works with ThredUp for recommerce
Direct link resale/repair to reduce production
No
Materials transparency
Shares material mix: No. Important to note that according to public research, brand uses high volume of synthetics.
Provides data on units sold: No.
Abercrombie and Fitch shared very little detail about its approach to reducing shipping emissions.
The company does not have an emissions target that includes its logistics. The brand did report emissions reductions across its supply chain, including from shipping, but does not provide data about volumes transported or modes of transport used.
A&F has no commitments to avoid aviation or support zero emissions air freight.
Short term action to switch to reduce the impact of marine shipping: Limited recent evidence. Says it works with transportation providers that offer less carbon intensive fuel options in international shipping lanes, and is steadily increasing its inland intermodal footprint.
No commitments or actions to support a transition to Zero Emission marine shipping by 2030.
No strong direct examples.