Apparel retailers Levi Strauss & Co. and Marks & Spencer (M&S) have partnered with SE Advisory Services, the consulting arm of Schneider Electric, to launch the Fashion Renewable Collaborative (FRC).
Announced at New York Climate Week, the industry initiative aims to assist garment and textile manufacturers in transitioning to renewable electricity. The collaborative offers a standardized, multi-brand framework to deliver digital training, market insights, and procurement assistance directly to shared supply bases.
According to research from the Apparel Impact Institute and the World Resources Institute, textile processing operations—including fabric mills and dye houses—account for over half of total apparel sector emissions. Shifting manufacturing facilities to renewable energy sources represents roughly two-thirds of the industry’s total decarbonisation potential.
Katharine Beacham, Head of Sustainability and Materials in Fashion, Home & Beauty at M&S, stated that the initiative builds upon the retailer’s existing Re:Spark decarbonisation programme. She noted that providing shared resources and direct access to renewable power options will assist supply partners in meeting value-chain net-zero targets by 2040.
Supported by Schneider Electric’s digital platform, Resource Advisor+, the FRC offers participating suppliers structured guidance on multiple energy procurement pathways, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), energy attribute certificates (EACs), on-site renewable generation, and battery storage.
Jennifer DuBuisson, Senior Director of Sustainability at Levi Strauss & Co., highlighted that joint brand engagement reduces administrative duplication for manufacturers that serve multiple apparel companies. The new framework expands upon preliminary decarbonisation efforts that previously enrolled nearly 500 supplier facilities.
Steve Wilhite, Executive Vice President at SE Advisory Services, confirmed that Schneider Electric will act as global implementation partner, overseeing supplier onboarding, readiness evaluations, and progress tracking across participating facilities. The organizers have invited additional global fashion brands to join the collaborative as corporate sponsors and members.
