H&M commended for sustainable supply chain programme – while 40% of fashion brands ‘backslide’ on climate

H&M scored the first ever ‘B+’ in an annual assessment of fashion brands’ climate efforts – but decisive sector-wide action appears to still be lacking as 40% of companies have increased their carbon footprint compared to their baseline.
H&M stands out in NGO Stand.earth’s 2025 Fossil Free Fashion Scorecard, with the first ever ‘B+’ grade: the report highlights the Swedish brand’s climate commitments and transparency, as well as its efforts to finance supplier decarbonisation – particularly in Bangladesh, where H&M is part of the Future Supplier Initiative.
The second-highest grade in this year’s report (B-) is held by Eileen Fisher, which is praised particularly for its circularity efforts. It is followed by Kering, Levi Strauss and Patagonia, all of which got a C+.
Lululemon, which recently hired Nike’s former CSO as its new Chief Sustainability Officer, also stands out in the scorecard, with a 50% renewable electricity target for its supply chain by 2030, and “significant” transparency improvements.
Another bright spot in the report is that 95% of fashion brands now offer resale or repair programmes, suggesting that efforts to create more circular business models are accelerating.
Read also: From big promises to disillusion – taking stock of fashion’s sustainable transformation
Majority of brands still increasing emissions
But despite positive signs by these top brands, the majority of the industry remains too passive in the face of the climate challenge: Stand.earth notes that for every brand aligned with a Paris Agreement trajectory, nearly six are increasing pollution.
The report finds that 40% of the 42 apparel and footwear brands analysed have increased their carbon footprint compared to their baseline, while 33% have managed to reduce emissions – and just 7% at a pace aligned with a 1.5°C pathway.
Chinese e-retailer SHEIN obtained the lowest score in the report, with a 170% increase in absolute emissions in the last two years. In particular, the report raises the alarm about SHEIN’s fast-to-market strategy, which involves sending individual packages directly to consumers by air freight instead of surface or marine transportation.
Other low-rated brands include Boohoo, Aritzia, Columbia and Under Armour.
‘The industry has the resources to act’
Todd Paglia, Executive Director of Stand.earth, commented: “The 2025 Fossil Free Fashion Scorecard makes it clear that the fashion industry is still failing to take the decisive action needed to align with global climate goals. While we see some brands making progress, most others are missing the moment or shirking their responsibility entirely, which is alarming. Moreover, many brands are failing to support their suppliers in transitioning to clean energy, meaning the financial burden of transitioning disproportionately impacts manufacturers.
“The industry has the resources to act but instead, we see companies making empty promises while continuing business as usual. Brands leading the way, like H&M, are proving that meaningful action is possible, but they must accelerate their efforts and push their competitors to follow suit.”
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