This section looks at how transparent major fashion brands and retailers are about their efforts to support a clean, fair, and just energy transition from different angles. Firstly, we looked at what business strategies they have publicly outlined that explicitly commit to a Just Transition. Our assessment was shaped by what Climate Action 100+, the World Benchmarking Alliance and the We Mean Business Coalition advocate for when it comes to just transition policy. We also utilised the International Labour Organization’s Just Transition Guidelines.

Secondly, we explored whether big fashion brands are transparent about how they consult and co-create with their suppliers on the setting of their climate targets. We also looked at how they are supporting suppliers to adapt to climate change, sensitive to their local contexts.

Thirdly, we looked at how transparent big brands are when it comes to engaging with workers and local communities impacted by their climate strategies. This looks like public disclosure on how they are co-creating solutions, how they retain and or up-skill workers whose jobs may be at risk and also public disclosure on how they compensate workers who may be impacted by climate hazards.

We also evaluated the extent to which brands publish their commitments to enabling rights like freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Additionally, we sought to understand how major fashion brands might be fuelling change in their supply chains where access to renewable energy through public disclosure of their political advocacy for renewable energy and the outcomes of this advocacy. Finally, we looked at whether or not brands disclose a public commitment to ensure that their suppliers transitioning to renewable energy do not procure solar panels made with high-risk of State-Imposed Forced Labour.