Nike and Target are among the primary backers of Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s (SAC) new Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) that helps apparel giants measure emissions and set science-based targets

Announced at the SAC’s annual meeting in Boston, MA, the MCAP offers suppliers a pathway to measure carbon emissions and develop science-aligned targets for Scopes 1 and 2 where they have direct control. It excludes Scope 3 measurements because the SAC believes these often create a barrier for manufacturers taking steps toward setting science-aligned targets.

MCAP was developed from both Target’s Supplier Engagement Program and the Supplier Climate Action Program (SCAP), which was co-developed by Nike and its suppliers and in consultation with the World Resource Institute (WRI).

MCAP comprises four core elements:

  • First, manufacturers set, validate, and disclose company-wide science-aligned emission reduction goals, recognizing this as a fundamental step toward a sustainable future.
  • Second, manufacturers receive recommendations and training on developing climate risk assessments for their operations, including physical and transition risks, documenting these risks to bridge connections with value chain partners, including brands.
  • Next, manufacturers receive guidance for developing their decarbonization plans, responding to the industry’s growing call for transparency and enabling effective allocation of investments and resources.
  • Finally, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, MCAP encourages manufacturers to annually disclose their progress and share reports publicly. This commitment to openness will ensure accountability within organizations and nurture a collective culture of growth and innovation.

The long-term vision for MCAP is to help manufacturers eventually secure science-based targets that encompass Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions with a broader goal of helping them reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Many are building toward targets to help reduce global emissions from the sector by 45 percent by 2030.

Joyce Tsoi, director of Collective Action Programs at the SAC, said: “As a convener of the consumer goods industry, we have a unique opportunity to rally our community’s collective strength and drive transformative change to set science-aligned targets, averting the worst climate impacts. Through our Decarbonization Program, we co-create solutions and foster collaborations necessary for systemic change within global supply chains, recognizing that addressing this challenge requires that no single entity can tackle this challenge alone. MCAP represents a key initiative, uniting manufacturers globally to accelerate action towards science-aligned emissions targets, significantly reducing global CO2 emissions at scale. By partnering with industry leaders and offering scalable solutions, we can empower our industry to confront emission reductions and instigate the change we need to support low-carbon transition.”

Noel Kinder, chief sustainability officer at Nike, Inc, said: “At our size and scale, we have a responsibility to drive impact. With a challenge like climate change, we know we can’t do it alone. Nike’s SCAP was designed to help suppliers take a leadership role in addressing their climate risk. Working with SAC and Target to develop the MCAP program is the next step in scaling impact across NIKE’s supply chain and the industry.”

Liz Cook, executive vice president for governance & development at World Resource Institute (WRI), said: “Supply chain emissions amount, on average, to more than 70 percent of a company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To set, and achieve, ambitious emissions reduction targets across the value chain, companies need to support their suppliers. Programs like the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), and companies like Nike and Target, set out to do this by helping suppliers build their capacity to mitigate and become more resilient to climate change. Beyond MCAP, WRI is pleased to partner with NIKE to accelerate renewable energy solutions in strategic global markets — a key strategy for achieving these objectives. This work is critical to scaling climate action globally.”