Fashion Brands & Just Energy Transition: The Stand.Earth Initiative
The initiative works closely with major fashion brands to clarify and solidify their role and responsibility in supporting a just energy transition—one that is fair to workers, manufacturers, and communities, especially in production countries like Bangladesh. It holds brands accountable through research, public benchmarking, and targeted recommendations, urging them to phase out fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, and support supplier decarbonisation in an equitable way.
Five-Axis Transformation via the Stand.Earth Initiative
Data: Produces the Fossil-Free Fashion Scorecard, providing detailed assessments of 40+ brands on climate targets, emissions trajectories, renewables adoption, and transparency.
Capacity Building / Technical Assistance: Encourages fashion brands to invest in supplier support programmes—such as grants for rooftop solar—in Bangladesh and beyond, enhancing supplier readiness for renewables.
Technology / Machinery: While not directly installing tech, the initiative advocates for the transition to renewable energy infrastructure (e.g. wind, solar, electrification of boilers) within supply chains.
Finance: Presses brands to provide long-term financial support to suppliers for decarbonisation, emphasizing shared responsibility to help offset the cost of the energy transition.
Policy: Advocates in international platforms (e.g. COP28), urging brands to push for renewable energy policies that are equitable and address worker and community needs in manufacturing nations.
Strategic Impact & Value Proposition
Accountability & Transparency: The Scorecard and reports publicly document brand performance, creating pressure for more meaningful and measurable action.
Industry Leadership: Some brands (e.g. H&M, Levi’s, Puma) are beginning to adopt more advanced decarbonisation paths—providing models for others.
Supplier Support Emphasis: Advocates to shift the financial and technical burden of decarbonisation from suppliers to brand-supplier collaboration.
Ethical Transition Framing: The initiative frames energy transition not just as a technical change, but as a social justice imperative—requiring worker-friendly, sustainable paths.
Global Reach & Relevance: Although global in scope, emphasis on major supply countries (including Bangladesh) makes the initiative relevant to RMG sector stakeholders in those nations.