HanesBrands, which participates in the promotional products industry as suppliers Hanes/Champion/ComfortWash (PPAI 191138, S10) and Alternative Apparel (PPAI 217134, S5), and supplier Gildan Activewear, Inc. (PPAI 250187, S13) have been given A-band ratings in the CDP 2020 Climate Change Report. CDP is a global nonprofit that drives companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. HanesBrands announced that it earned its first “A List” for leadership in corporate sustainability in the report, while Gildan received an A- for the second consecutive year.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based HanesBrands, one of four apparel manufacturers on the 270-member global CDP A List, was recognized for its actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop the low-carbon economy. The A score follows two superior A- rankings, placing HanesBrands among the top companies worldwide with eco-friendly operations for the last three years.

“We are proud to receive this prestigious recognition for leadership in corporate responsibility and, in particular, addressing climate change,” says Steve Bratspies, HanesBrands CEO. “Consumers around the world are increasingly focused on how companies operate, and this honor shows that consumers can be confident in our commitment to sustainability and feel great about apparel made by HanesBrands.”

In October, HanesBrands announced wide-ranging 2030 global sustainability goals that include a commitment to science-based environmental targets, a goal of improving the lives of at least 10 million people, and addressing the use of plastics and sustainable raw materials in products and packaging. The goals were launched via a new sustainability website, designed to increase company transparency and reporting on key metrics, including diversity, human rights benchmarks and risk assessments for investors. The company, which has also earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star partner of the year/sustained excellence award for 11 consecutive years, reports significant reductions in energy use and carbon emissions since implementing an energy management program in 2007. Recent achievements include optimizing biomass procedures to improve thermal efficiency and replacing HVAC systems, air compressors and lighting with more energy-efficient equipment.

Chris Fox, who was appointed HanesBrands’ chief sustainability officer in November, says, “We’ve made significant progress, but there is much work to do. Our aggressive new 2030 goals, focused on people, planet and product will help create sustainable value for our company, our investors, our consumers, our employees and our communities.”

Industry supplier Gildan placed in CDP’s leadership band, and well above the apparel design sector average of C. Companies scoring within the leadership category are recognized for their transparent and comprehensive disclosure of climate data, thorough awareness of climate risks, demonstration of strong governance and management of climate risks, and demonstration of market-leading practices. More specifically, Gildan this year scored particularly high in areas related to governance, scope one and two emissions, value chain management, as well as business strategy and financial planning. In 2019, Gildan was able to decrease its GHG emissions intensity by 13 percent when compared to its 2015 baseline, effectively achieving and surpassing one of its key 2020 environmental goals early.

“As we complete our 2020 goals, we are incredibly proud to see that our commitment towards sustainability continues to be recognized by leading organizations like CDP for our progress towards corporate transparency and action against climate change,” says Claudia Sandoval, vice president of corporate citizenship at Gildan. “This inclusion demonstrates that Gildan is amongst the top eight percent of companies worldwide reporting on climate change, making significant progress towards a more sustainable future. We are well positioned to continue to do so in the long run as we remain committed to our three Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) pillars of caring for our people, conserving the environment and creating stronger communities.”

CDP’s annual environmental disclosure and scoring process is widely recognized as the gold standard of corporate environmental transparency. A detailed and independent methodology is used by CDP to assess companies in its annual report’s environmental disclosure and scoring process, allocating a score of A to D- based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks and demonstration of best practices associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets.

“Taking the lead on environmental transparency and action is one of the most important steps businesses can make, and is even more impressive in this challenging year marked by COVID-19,” says Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP. “The scale of the risk to businesses from climate change, deforestation and water insecurity is enormous. Our A List celebrates those companies that are preparing to excel in the economy of the future by taking action today.”