FatFace has launched a new partnership agreement for suppliers as part of its wider net zero strategy.

Suppliers that sign up will establish a methodology for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, develop and implement a transition plan, and provide FatFace with regular progress updates.

Participating suppliers will be granted preferred partner status for designated product categories.

Preferred partners will also receive co-funding opportunities for decarbonisation projects, pilot programmes, or tooling upgrades that directly contribute to emissions reduction. FatFace will share best practice in emissions measurement, reduction and energy saving.

Two of the brand’s biggest suppliers have already signed the agreement, including Afflatus. Based in Gurugram in India, the company designs clothing, home products and accessories for more than 20 global brands.

Kautilya Industries, which has also signed, exports and manufactures garments and has over 1,500 workers across four units in India.

FatFace said both companies are long-established partners that have worked with the brand for more than 15 years and together produce around 11 per cent of all FatFace products.

“Since launching our most recent ESG strategy in 2020, we have made huge strides as a business, including becoming B Corp certified in April 2023,” said Nick Stevenson, trading and sustainability director at FatFace. “But we still have work to do, and a focus on the pathway to net zero emissions is a big part of that.

“While we have more control over our own operations, we need to simultaneously look at the carbon impact in our supply chain and bring our manufacturing partners on the journey with us.”

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