The 2024 Cascale Annual Meeting recently took place in Munich, bringing together industry leaders from manufacturers, brands, retailers, and service providers to collaborate on advancing sustainability in the fashion and apparel industry. Cascale is a global initiative focused on improving environmental and social responsibility through transparency and collaboration. One of their key achievements is the Higg Index, a tool that helps businesses measure and reduce their environmental impact. We at Leadership & Sustainability were privileged to attend the event alongside several of our employees from Germany and around the globe. The meeting, which spanned three days, featured a range of activities designed to foster meaningful collaboration. Workshops, roundtable discussions, and keynote speeches from some of the most prominent figures in sustainability made for an immersive experience.
Many of our team members came away with personal reflections on the meeting, whi
ch they are eager to share.
“It was inspiring to see the growing focus on environmental responsibility and social concerns worldwide. The shift in recognizing workers’ contributions to industry standards was especially noteworthy—often, they have the best solutions for their specific situations. The collaboration between Bangladesh and Cascale, with a commitment to social justice, was a highlight, underscoring the brands’ responsibility for equity. Though the future path remains unclear, the engagement of all stakeholders in finding solutions is a positive sign, even if there’s still a long road ahead.”
“Attending the Cascale Annual Meeting was an enriching experience. Seeing brands, manufacturers, and retailers openly share their challenges and collaborate toward sustainability was eye-opening. A standout moment was Rick Ridgeway’s presentation on the evolution of the Higg Index, reminding us that sustainability has been a long-term effort. It highlighted that the problem cannot be solved in a day. While I learned a lot, I would have loved to see more manufacturer representation at the event.”
“There were many critical topics raised during the Cascale event that I found especially relevant to today’s pressing sustainability challenges. Key discussions focused on Global Energy Trends, the vital need for Building Trust and Equity, and the complex question of whether Value Chain Inequality is hindering Climate Action. Each of these topics is not only timely but integral to the progress we all hope to achieve in creating a more sustainable and fair future.
During several roundtable discussions, I had the privilege of hearing from a diverse array of voices across both the textile and sustainability sectors. The range of perspectives, from manufacturers and retailers to consultants and other service providers, was truly eye-opening. It was clear just how differently each stakeholder experiences the same issues, often shaped by their role in the supply chain or their geographic location. This variety of viewpoints highlighted the complexity of global sustainability efforts but also underscored the importance of collaboration. Understanding these different perspectives felt like a vital step toward bridging gaps and finding solutions that will work for all in the long run”
“I always enjoy the Cascale conferences and feel they could really benefit from specific events focusing on engaging the C-level of brands and manufacturers into meaningful discussions in order to create buy-in from them.”
We at Leadership & Sustainability had a great experience at the Cascale Annual Meeting, as we believe these events are vital for engaging all members of the sustainability community in collaborative efforts toward continually improving solutions. We’re also proud to announce that, as of 2023, we’ve achieved Leader Level as Cascale Members, further strengthening our commitment to driving meaningful change in the industry.
Best sustainable regards,
Karin and the L&S Team
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