Climate Efficiency Percentage CEP
The Climate Efficiency Percentage (CEP) is a proposed framework by our Founder Hana Towobola to measure the environmental impact of businesses, adapted for fashion. CEP evaluates percentages across key areas like carbon emissions, material use, supply chains, and biodiversity. Introduced in 2022 for the art industry, CEP for fashion simplifies sustainability metrics into actionable data.
Originating as a solution for the art world, CEP was proposed in 2022 by artist hana to address sustainability in creative industries. In 2023, the concept was refined in collaboration with Christie’s, focusing on transparent, data-driven metrics for reducing carbon emissions, material use, and waste.
The fashion adaptation of CEP emerged in 2024 as industries increasingly sought standardized sustainability measures. Fashion, with its complex global supply chains, required a system to quantify climate impacts comprehensively. CEP addresses historical gaps in sustainability reporting, enabling brands to evaluate their operations across production, sales, marketing, and distribution.
Fashion brands adopting CEP aim to mirror the transparency and efficiency it brought to art. By incorporating metrics for emissions, water usage, and biodiversity, CEP offers a holistic lens on environmental stewardship in an industry historically associated with high waste and resource consumption.
The introduction of CEP into fashion reflects a broader cultural shift toward measurable accountability. Consumers now demand clear data on sustainability from brands, influencing purchasing decisions. This aligns with trends like the rise of slow fashion and growing skepticism toward greenwashing.
In practice, CEP allows brands to report on specific areas like greenhouse gas emissions, water footprint, and material circularity. For example, Patagonia and Stella McCartney could use CEP to quantify the impact of their renewable energy initiatives or recycling programs.
The fashion industry’s embrace of CEP will mark a cultural milestone in sustainable innovation. By translating complex sustainability metrics into accessible percentages, CEP empowers both brands and consumers to make informed choices. The model also fosters cross-industry collaboration, enabling the sharing of best practices across sectors.
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CEP tracks specific greenhouse gases like CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide.
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It can evaluate biodiversity impacts, such as effects on pollinators like bees.
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CEP adapts easily, allowing brands to update metrics as new challenges emerge.
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Originating as a solution for the art world, CEP was proposed in 2022 by artist hana to address sustainability in creative industries. In 2023, the concept was refined in collaboration with Christie’s, focusing on transparent, data-driven metrics for reducing carbon emissions, material use, and waste.
The fashion adaptation of CEP emerged in 2024 as industries increasingly sought standardized sustainability measures. Fashion, with its complex global supply chains, required a system to quantify climate impacts comprehensively. CEP addresses historical gaps in sustainability reporting, enabling brands to evaluate their operations across production, sales, marketing, and distribution.
Fashion brands adopting CEP aim to mirror the transparency and efficiency it brought to art. By incorporating metrics for emissions, water usage, and biodiversity, CEP offers a holistic lens on environmental stewardship in an industry historically associated with high waste and resource consumption.
The introduction of CEP into fashion reflects a broader cultural shift toward measurable accountability. Consumers now demand clear data on sustainability from brands, influencing purchasing decisions. This aligns with trends like the rise of slow fashion and growing skepticism toward greenwashing.
In practice, CEP allows brands to report on specific areas like greenhouse gas emissions, water footprint, and material circularity. For example, Patagonia and Stella McCartney could use CEP to quantify the impact of their renewable energy initiatives or recycling programs.
The fashion industry’s embrace of CEP will mark a cultural milestone in sustainable innovation. By translating complex sustainability metrics into accessible percentages, CEP empowers both brands and consumers to make informed choices. The model also fosters cross-industry collaboration, enabling the sharing of best practices across sectors.
-
CEP tracks specific greenhouse gases like CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide.
-
It can evaluate biodiversity impacts, such as effects on pollinators like bees.
-
CEP adapts easily, allowing brands to update metrics as new challenges emerge.
“CEP breaks down sustainability into measurable percentages, helping fashion brands quantify their environmental impact across production, materials, and emissions.”
- Standardization in Sustainability Metrics: CEP could become the de facto standard for measuring and reporting environmental impact in fashion.
- Consumer Transparency: With clear percentages, brands adopting CEP can offer unmatched transparency, enhancing trust.
- AI-Driven Data Analysis: Integrating CEP with AI tools helps brands optimize sustainability efforts, tracking real-time performance.
CEP revolutionizes sustainability by providing clear metrics to assess and improve environmental impact. Practical applications include:
- Tracking Water Usage: Brands can measure and reduce water consumption in dyeing and finishing processes.
- Material Impact: Quantify the lifecycle impact of fabrics like organic cotton versus polyester.
- Circular Fashion: Measure progress in recycling and upcycling initiatives.
Examples: Levi’s can use CEP to evaluate waterless denim programs, while H&M tracks its garment recycling through CEP-aligned metrics.
The Climate Efficiency Percentage (CEP) evaluates the following metrics across businesses:
- Greenhouse Gases:
- % Total greenhouse gases emitted
- % Carbon (CO2) emissions
- % Methane (CH4) emissions
- % Nitrous Oxide (N2O) emissions
- % Perfluorocarbons (HFCS) emissions
- % Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) emissions
- % Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF3) emissions
- % Radioactive gas radon emissions
- Plastic Usage:
- % Total plastic used
- % Plastic in product creation
- % Plastic in marketing
- % Plastic in sales
- % Plastic in the supply chain
- % Plastic in operating finances
- Steel Usage:
- % Total steel used
- % Steel in product creation
- % Steel in marketing
- % Steel in sales
- % Steel in the supply chain
- % Steel in operating finances
- Cement Usage:
- % Total cement used
- % Cement in product creation
- % Cement in marketing
- % Cement in sales
- % Cement in the supply chain
- % Cement in operating finances
- Impact on Bees:
- % Total effect on bees for plant pollination
- % Product creation effect on bees
- % Marketing effect on bees
- % Sales effect on bees
- % Supply chain effect on bees
- % Operating finances effect on bees
- Additional Environmental Impacts:
- % Total electricity used
- % New things grown (plants/agriculture)
- % Alteration to water chemistry of the ocean
- % Impact on protected land and nature
- % Impact on wildlife (rare animals, ecosystems)
- % Impact on rearing animals
- % Nuclear power contribution
- % Emissions from vehicles
Practical Fashion Applications
- Carbon Emissions:
Example: Fashion brands like Levi’s can report on the reduction of CO2 emissions achieved through waterless production techniques or renewable energy adoption in factories. - Plastic Usage:
Example: Stella McCartney could measure the use of biodegradable alternatives in accessories to reduce total plastic percentages in product creation. - Impact on Bees:
Example: Sustainable farming of organic cotton can mitigate harmful effects on pollination-critical bees, aligning with CEP metrics. - Electricity Usage:
Example: Brands incorporating solar panels or wind energy in production facilities could track the percentage of total electricity used sustainably. - Water Chemistry Impact:
Example: By reducing toxic dyes, H&M can monitor how dye processes affect water chemistry, contributing to safer water discharge levels. - Wildlife Protection:
Example: High-end brands working with protected wool farms can measure how supply chain practices support ecosystem preservation. - Material Circularity:
Example: Zara’s recycling initiatives could calculate the percentage of steel and plastic repurposed in their packaging or products.
- Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion by Dana Thomas
- The Sustainable Fashion Handbook by Sandy Black
- Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys by Kate Fletcher
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