It is one of the few brands which still has not set a GHG emissions target for its supply chain. MEC provides very little transparency into its climate and sustainability plans, and is still failing to provide any data on its carbon footprint, energy use or shipping. The company provides very limited information on how it engages its suppliers, falling far behind fellow outdoor brands Mammut and Patagonia on its climate action. MEC should immediately act to set strong science-based emissions targets and begin reporting publicly on its progress.
Total Score
F
Emissions
About the Scorecards
The fashion industry is responsible for 2- 8% of global emissions but are fashion brands doing enough to tackle their growing climate impact? The updated 2023 Fossil Free Fashion Scorecard analyses 43 fashion companies on their climate action.
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* Emissions breakdown not reported
Score Breakdown
GHG emissions:
MEC has committed to reducing its GHG emissions intensity by 65% by 2030, but it does not have a supply chain emissions reduction target. The weaker intensity-based target is not in line with keeping warming below 1.5°C.
Renewable energy:
MEC has set a renewable energy target in its own operations, but no details have been reported. The renewable energy will be a mix of additional to the grid and renewable energy.
The company has yet to set a target of 100% renewable energy for its supply chain by 2030, which is an essential step for decarbonising its manufacturing.
Coal phase out:
Mountain Equipment Company has not publicly set a target to phase out coal-fired boilers from its supply chain by 2030 to reduce air pollution and cut emissions.
GHG emissions:
MEC publicly reports GHG emissions in its own operations, but does not report GHG emissions in its supply chain. The company does not provide a full breakdown of its Scope 3 emissions.
Energy use:
MEC does not publicly report its energy use for its own operations, a breakdown of its renewable energy use or how that energy is sourced.
For its supply chain, MEC does not publicly report its energy use, and does not provide a breakdown of its suppliers’ renewable energy use and how that energy is sourced.
Suppliers:
MEC provides a partial supplier list to Tier 1 or 2.
MEC does report providing its suppliers with training and resources to help them make energy efficiency improvements. MEC does not report providing its major suppliers with financial incentives for energy efficiency measures, and does not require them to make energy savings as a condition of contract.
MEC does not require suppliers to reduce thermal coal demand in their manufacturing processes.
MEC does not report providing its suppliers with training and resources to help them transition to renewable energy. The company does not report providing financial support or incentives to make the energy transition and does not require suppliers to use renewable energy as a condition of contract.
MEC does not require its suppliers to set GHG emissions reduction targets or set science-based emissions reduction targets, but does require suppliers to provide facility level data via the Higg Index and annually report GHG emissions.
MEC has not made any commitments to phase out fossil fuel based materials.
MEC has not made a public policy to ban the sourcing of leather from the Amazon Biome or taken measurable steps to ensure that Amazon leather is not contributing to deforestation, although the company has a policy of sourcing 100% LWG certified leather, and sources cellulosic materials from Canopy recommended sources.
Low-carbon materials:
MEC has not committed to increasing closed-loop apparel-to-apparel recycling for synthetics, but has committed to making 50% of the polyester in MEC Label products from recycled content (non-textile) by 2023. MEC has not committed to increasing closed-loop apparel-to-apparel recycling for plant-based materials. MEC has committed to reduce the impact of its raw materials sourcing by switching to 100% organic cotton or cotton sourced from regenerative agriculture for all MEC label cotton clothing.
Increasing circularity:
MEC does claim to be working to increase circularity and address overproduction by policies to improve the repairability, resale, durability and recyclability of its clothes, including by designing for circularity and by offering product leasing and renting programs, but needs to provide more transparency on how improving circularity will reduce production.
MEC does not publicly report its material mix, its volume of deadstock or how it manages or disposes of its deadstock to reduce waste.
MEC does not report its shipping emissions annually, does not provide a breakdown of its transportation methods, and does not have a target to reduce GHG emissions from transportation.
MEC does not have a policy to avoid aviation and commit to slower shipping methods such as maritime, rail and land. The company does not report having a near-term plan to ship its cargo via cleaner methods.
MEC has not committed to transitioning to zero emissions vessels (ZEV) by 2030. The company has not used its voice publicly to advocate for Zero Emission Shipping.
MEC has yet to commit to transitioning its last mile delivery to zero emission vehicles.
MEC did not engage in any discernible advocacy to promote renewable energy or emissions reduction within the Scorecard period.