J.Crew – Alice Roche-Naude – 2019

Goals 

The apparel industry is a large contributor to climate change but is also an industry with numerous opportunities to reduce emissions and contribute to a sustainable future. Since April 2018, the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts of J.Crew, an American apparel retailer, have evolved  to include a more strategic approach to sustainability and human rights. During the summer of 2019, J.Crew Group (J.Crew, Factory, CrewCuts and Madewell) enlisted EDF Climate Corps Fellow Alice Roche-Naude to identify opportunities for the group to take action and reduce its carbon footprint.

Solutions

Roche-Naude collected and grouped data on J.Crew’s energy usage to improve data accuracy and enable energy efficiency decisions across departments. Specifically, she calculated a J.Crew greenhouse gas emission baseline for owned-and-operated facilities. Roche-Naude also developed a framework and designed a tool for long-term tracking and progress reporting on the reduction of J.Crew’s carbon footprint. Additionally, she researched and framed recommendations for J.Crew to avoid, reduce and mitigate its emissions through energy efficiency strategies, conservation initiatives and renewable procurement options. Roche-Naude also recommended collaboration with other organizations, third parties and environmental groups to develop, initiate and implement effective climate action plans.

Potential Impact

J.Crew will use Roche-Naude’s inventory tool to annually measure its emissions up to 2025 and to track progress in reduction efforts. In addition to implementing Roche-Naude’s measurement tools, the group is exploring her additional recommendations as they continue to reduce their impact.