Levi’s, M&S Launch Fashion Renewable Collaborative for Suppliers

Levi Strauss & Co. and Marks & Spencer have launched the Fashion Renewable Collaborative, a joint initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy among fashion industry suppliers. This program, developed in partnership with Schneider Electric's SE Advisory Services, aims to unite multiple brands in supporting their shared suppliers' transition to cleaner energy sources. The apparel sector's sustainability efforts are significantly hampered by its supply chains, which account for approximately 70% of the industry's total emissions, primarily from fiber and fabric production. Therefore, brands must actively engage their suppliers to achieve meaningful climate goals.

The Fashion Renewable Collaborative builds upon previous, individual efforts by both Levi's and Marks & Spencer. Levi's previously initiated the Levi Energy Accelerator Program (LEAP) in partnership with Schneider Electric, which focused on educating and facilitating access to renewable energy resources for its garment manufacturers in India. Concurrently, Marks & Spencer was implementing a similar program called Re: Spark. Jennifer DuBuisson, Levi's senior director of sustainability, recognized the potential for greater impact through collaboration, noting that brands often share the same suppliers. She highlighted the fragmentation suppliers already face from various brands requesting different sustainability initiatives, leading to "noise in the system."

The core objective of the Fashion Renewable Collaborative is to streamline these efforts, creating a unified approach that reduces the burden on suppliers. By pooling resources and presenting a consistent message, the initiative seeks to make the transition to renewable energy more accessible and efficient for suppliers across the industry. This collaborative model aims to overcome the limitations of individual brand programs and drive systemic change within the fashion supply chain. Addressing these upstream activities is identified as a critical lever for brands committed to reducing their carbon footprints.

Schneider Electric's SE Advisory Services will play a key role in guiding suppliers through the process of adopting renewable energy. This includes providing expertise on energy procurement, technology selection, and project implementation. The partnership leverages Schneider Electric's extensive experience in energy management and sustainability solutions to ensure the program's effectiveness. By focusing on shared supply chains, the Fashion Renewable Collaborative intends to create economies of scale and foster a more widespread adoption of renewable energy, ultimately contributing to the decarbonization of the global apparel sector.