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STICA PROGRESS REPORT 2024
Stakeholder Voices
STICA PROGRESS REPORT 2024
Stakeholder Voices
Anette Andersson, Sr. Sustainability Investment Specialist, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB)
What does your organisation like about the content in the current 2024 disclosures report? Is there any particular data or conclusions you want to highlight or comment on?
I like it, there is and has to be a sense of urgency. We joined the Net Zero Asset Manager initiative in 2020 and set the target to be Net-Zero by 2040 on an aggregated level. For us to invest in companies it is vital that they are on the same journey. If they are not, it will be difficult for us to invest in them. At our set base-line year (2019) only 19% of the companies we invested in had SBT, now by end of 2024 the number has risen to 60%. We are required by the SFDR regulation to report Scope1, 2 & 3 and intensity for all our investment regardless of asset class and of course our progress so there is no hiding.
What could be improved in the report and/or what could SFA/STICA do to improve our work with the companies overall moving forward?
I believe it’s necessary to include SBTi or equivalent into managements incentive-schemes both short and long term. If management is not held accountable or measured on the progress, there can be a conflict on priorities or investments. And the CSRD is making measurement and target-setting possible, which is necessary.
What implications do you think the report has for climate action in the apparel industry overall and your sector?
I think it’s “do or die” i.e. crucial. It’s how a company is future-proofed. It will be very difficult for any company not working towards the Paris Agreement to survive. The CSRD will affect all companies eventually even if they might not be in scope since clients or suppliers will need the reporting to be able to fullfil their reporting. It’s cheaper to be prepared and start working towards establishing processes and targets, since it will be more expensive to implement at a later stage.
I believe the implication will be more expensive funding for companies who aren’t measuring or reporting, and they will be less attractive for investments. The regulation with SFDR, CSRD and CSDDD are forcing everyone to be transparent. Banks and other financial actors want (and needs) to show how they are working with the transition to be able to attract clients and investors.
Lars Fogh Mortensen, Expert, textiles and circular economy, European Environment Agency (EEA)
What does your organisation like about the content in the current 2024 disclosures report? Is there any particular data or conclusions you want to highlight or comment on?
I like in particular the section on climate impacts of apparel and textiles revisited. The climate impacts of textiles continue to be under the radar in the policy discussion on climate change and there is a continuous need to provide additional and better data information and knowledge on the climate impacts of the whole textiles value chain.
What could be improved in the report and/or what could SFA/STICA do to improve our work with the companies overall moving forward?
In my view, it could be very helpful if companies can indicate in more detail what is needed to scale up circular and sustainable business models. We see many examples of such business models, but unfortunately very few of them are able to scale up in the current market. We need to understand what is needed to scale up circular and sustainable business models across the value chain in this sector. The European Environment Agency will look into that in 2025 and could use some inputs and advice from business.
What implications do you think the report has for climate action in the apparel industry overall?
I think report has an impact in providing new and better knowledge on the climate impacts of apparel and textiles and what can be done from the business side to reduce these.
Maria Frykman, Chair, Scandinavian Outdoor Group (SOG); CEO, Isbjörn of Sweden
What does your organisation like about the content in the current 2024 disclosures report? Is there any particular data or conclusions you want to highlight or comment on?
The Scandinavian Outdoor Group (SOG) commends the 2024 Climate Action Program Progress Report for its rigorous and transparent methodology. It’s encouraging to see such a comprehensive data set that covers emissions metrics alongside the progress companies are making toward their climate goals. The specific focus on Scope 3 emissions, which account for the vast majority of emissions in the apparel and outdoor sectors, is of particular value to all our members. This highlights both key bottlenecks, such as data quality and supplier collaboration, and opportunities for innovation. This depth and specificity give our members tangible insights into how their individual actions contribute to broader industry progress, reinforcing the importance of collaborative approaches and sector-wide accountability.
What could be improved in the report and/or what could SFA/STICA do to improve our work with the companies overall moving forward?
While the report is strong, there is room to further develop sector-specific pathways and actionable benchmarks tailored to different business models within our industry. The unique needs and challenges faced by outdoor and urban brands in Scandinavia—especially those with sustainability deeply rooted in their brand ethos—would benefit from more granular guidance on integrating circular business models and reducing lifecycle emissions. Additionally, continued support from SFA/STICA in helping companies navigate evolving regulatory landscapes, such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), would enhance the program’s overall impact. Providing more user-friendly digital tools, sector-specific case studies, and supplier engagement frameworks could help even smaller brands in our network make meaningful changes more efficiently.
What implications do you think the report has for climate action in the apparel industry overall and your sector?
This report is a powerful resource, not only for our member brands but for the entire apparel and outdoor industry. It underscores the urgency of collective action and the need for cross-sector collaboration and supply chain integration to drive down emissions and develop scalable solutions. By setting clear, data-driven benchmarks and sharing best practices, the report provides the clarity and accountability that many brands need to elevate their climate commitments. Notably, the call for smarter financial incentives and stricter regulations highlights a growing recognition that voluntary measures alone are insufficient. For SOG members, this report reaffirms the need for a proactive stance on sustainability, reminding us all that true leadership in the outdoor sector means advancing environmental stewardship in every aspect of our work. As we strive for the 2030 targets, this report serves as a stark reminder of the trade-offs and systemic shifts required for meaningful progress.
Elin Larsson, Director of Market & Finance, WWF Sweden
When the political world moves too slowly to fight climate change, other forces need to significantly increase their cooperation and efforts, and companies need to demonstrate leadership. It is therefore very positive to see the progress being made by the STICA group, even though there are some real challenges in reaching the overall goal as highlighted in the report. It is inspiring to see the level of transparency in the report, concerning the methodology, with it’s strengths and limitations, the transition plans that can work as inspiration for others to follow and the tough task on working with absolute reduction, raising the problem on how to grow without increasing your emissions. But in the end, we do need the politicians to lead by helping to define the rules of the game, where companies receive sufficient incentives to change their business models.
Anna-Karin Sundelius, Senior Policy Advisor for Textiles, Sustainable Consumption, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC)
What does your organisation like about the content in the current 2024 disclosures report? Is there any particular data or conclusions you want to highlight or comment on?
We believe circularity is a collective effort where all stakeholders; companies, the public sector, civil organisations, and individuals need to work together, contributing with their expertise and resources. We want companies to not only comply with existing laws and regulations but also to utilize their in-depth industry know-how and take a leadership role in driving this change. That’s why we’re encouraged to see increasing commitment from businesses and initiatives like STICA where companies transparently share their data and progress.
What could be improved in the report and/or what could SFA/STICA do to improve our work with the companies overall moving forward?
There needs to be greater emphasis on the fact that, as the STICA Signatories’ reporting shows, the majority of the emissions (around 80-90%) is from the production of new products. We urge STICA to place more focus on the necessity of reducing overall resource use. Aiming to reach a sufficiency level for the fashion industry within the planetary boundaries, while still fulfilling well-being and human needs. Or as we highlight in our ‘Max 5’ challenge: A maximum of 5 new clothing pieces per person and year is a fair share for all, within the planetary boundaries.
Additionally, we advocate for increased investment in circular business models, such as repair, resale, and subscription services. That can extend the lifespan of products, reduce the need for new materials, and ultimately shift away from linear production that relies on virgin resources. We also recommend that STICA ask signatory companies to share more details regarding how they intend to decrease the overall volume of new products in favor of circular alternatives.
What implications do you think the report has for climate action in the apparel industry overall?
Transparency is crucial to understanding the necessary steps for transformation and we believe that this approach can help drive real change with sustainable impact. It encourages companies to not only reduce their direct emissions but also to take responsibility for emissions throughout their value chains. Ultimately, the report should challenge companies to accelerate their climate action efforts, pushing them to go beyond incremental changes and take bolder, more systemic actions that align with the urgency of the climate crisis.
Laura Väyrynen, Programme Manager, Environmental Transparency, Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS)
What does your organisation like about the content in the current 2024 disclosures report? Is there any particular data or conclusions you want to highlight or comment on?
The STICA report effectively highlights the ongoing efforts in the textile industry to reduce emissions while not glossing over the issues, such as the too-slow pace of change and the fact that some companies are not fully adhering to the climate transition plans they have themselves set.
We value the report’s attention to the distribution of emissions; it underscores that large companies are the primary contributors to the industry’s total emissions, while SMEs—though a significant part of the industry— contribute less.
Additionally, the report effectively captures the key challenges companies face in reducing emissions, which can guide stakeholders, such as policymakers, in designing incentives and reducing barriers to decarbonization.
Finally, the data on climate governance are particularly insightful. Disclosing data on, for example, the absence of executive pay linked to decarbonization brings attention to the priority (or lack thereof) given to climate action in member companies.
What could be improved in the report and/or what could SFA/STICA do to improve our work with the companies overall moving forward?
The reliance on self-reported data raises concerns about accuracy, particularly for Scope 3 emissions, which often lack third-party verification. Inconsistent reporting among companies, especially regarding scope definitions and optional categories, hinders comparability. Greater standardisation would make the data more actionable. Encouraging greater engagement with value chains would improve the accuracy and impact of emissions reporting.
To maintain credibility, STICA should enforce stricter requirements for member compliance, such as mandatory 1.5°C-aligned targets. Publicly disclosing non-compliance and allowing exceptions only in rare circumstances could enhance transparency and prevent greenwashing.
The report doesn’t adequately address overproduction—a root cause of humanity crossing planetary boundaries. A stronger focus on reducing textile production, particularly in fast fashion, would offer practical pathways to emissions reduction.
What implications do you think the report has for climate action in the apparel industry overall?
The report serves as a wake-up call: despite progress, the sector remains far from achieving its 1.5°C targets. Many companies have yet to move from measuring emissions to implementing climate action plans aligned with the Paris Agreement.
The insights on decarbonization barriers are invaluable for designing interventions across the value chain. Additionally, the report highlights the critical need for supplier engagement, demonstrating that coordinated efforts across buyers could drive more effective decarbonization.
Finally, the persistent gaps in carbon accounting reflect the urgency of standardized reporting frameworks like the CSRD and consistency between GHG accounting standards, which could drive the consistency needed to track industry progress meaningfully.
