Embedding environmental impact management within its operations, AAG commits to a long-term industry-wide focus on a decarbonized future
Manufacturer of activewear and swimwear, Active Apparel Group (AAG), has committed to a structured approach to reducing its environmental impact across its global operations through an Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS, built using the ISO14001 Standard Framework, incorporates key environmental policy commitments and has set targets and strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations across China, Australia and the USA.
Through a third-party audit of its greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), AAG has identified the following areas of focus to reduce impacts:
- Reduction in Scope 1 energy use
- Reduction in air freight
- Reduction in water usage across the business
- Ongoing collection and management of production waste
- Increased use of sustainable materials
- Continued collection of GHG data for ongoing improvement
“AAG has set time-bound and measurable goals in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Daniel Hawker, CEO of AAG. “We know most of the fashion industry’s emissions occur in the supply chain. As manufacturers, we take on this responsibility – we want to reduce our operational emissions and enable our customers to understand and manage their own Scope 3 emissions.”
“We want to be part of the solution in moving the industry towards a decarbonized future,” said Hawker.
AAG’s EMS is designed to be embedded within the business’s operations, with functional ownership of established targets and prioritised team education to deliver results on reducing environmental impact. Quarterly reporting of its progress is communicated to stakeholders and reviewed by the company’s Board of Directors. The Environmental Policy can be found on the company website. The EMS is part of AAG’s ongoing Responsible Business Strategy – a company-wide commitment to driving continuous improvement across the areas of Governance, Social and Environmental impact. Other initiatives include Living Wage Audit by Bureau Veritas (AAG pays 100% Living Wage); Materiality Assessment; Supply Chain Traceability Project; Circularity and Waste Management along with annual third-party audits – SMETA, Gold WRAP, Supplier Qualification Program and its Modern Slavery Statement.
