How Ganni uses supply chain data to track and reduce carbon footprint

Copenhagen-based fashion brand Ganni has built a comprehensive supply chain data infrastructure to measure and reduce its carbon footprint, combining digital traceability platforms with direct supplier partnerships to track emissions from raw materials through to finished products. The approach has enabled the company to achieve significant emissions reductions whilst maintaining transparency standards that exceed industry norms.

What data does Ganni collect from its supply chain?

Ganni maps emissions across its entire value chain by collecting granular data from suppliers at each stage of production. The brand tracks carbon impact at the product level, measuring everything from fabric production and dyeing to transport and packaging. This product-level approach allows the company to identify which materials, processes and suppliers contribute most to its overall footprint.

The company works with approximately 100 suppliers across its production network. By maintaining close relationships with a relatively concentrated supplier base, Ganni can gather detailed information about energy use, water consumption and chemical inputs at individual factories. This data feeds into lifecycle assessments that inform design and sourcing decisions.

How has Ganni reduced its carbon emissions?

Between 2020 and 2023, Ganni reduced its absolute carbon footprint by 27 per cent, according to the brand's public responsibility reporting. The reductions came primarily from switching to lower-impact materials, improving manufacturing efficiency and optimising logistics. The company has also set science-based targets aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Material selection represents one of the most significant levers for emissions reduction. Ganni has increased its use of organic cotton, recycled polyester and innovative fibres with lower environmental profiles. The brand also works with suppliers to reduce energy consumption in production processes, including shifting to renewable energy sources where possible.

What role does B Corp certification play in Ganni's approach?

Ganni achieved B Corp certification in 2023, joining a global community of companies that meet verified standards for social and environmental performance. The certification process requires rigorous documentation of sustainability practices, including supply chain transparency and carbon accounting. B Corp status commits Ganni to ongoing third-party verification of its claims and continuous improvement against measurable benchmarks.

The B Corp framework has strengthened Ganni's governance around sustainability data. The certification demands evidence-based reporting across multiple impact categories, from worker welfare to environmental management. This structure aligns with the brand's existing commitment to transparency but adds external accountability.

Which technologies enable supply chain transparency?

Ganni employs digital traceability tools that map materials from origin through to finished garment. These systems create digital records at each production stage, allowing the brand to trace a specific product back to the farm or facility where its raw materials originated. The technology relies on supplier data sharing and often involves mobile applications that capture information at the point of production.

The company also uses lifecycle assessment software to model the environmental impact of different design choices before production begins. By inputting material types, manufacturing processes and transport routes, designers can compare the carbon footprint of alternative approaches and make informed decisions early in the development cycle. This predictive capability reduces the need for costly changes later in production.

What challenges does Ganni face in carbon tracking?

Despite significant progress, Ganni acknowledges ongoing challenges in achieving complete supply chain visibility. Scope 3 emissions, which include all indirect emissions across the value chain, remain difficult to measure with precision. Suppliers vary in their data collection capabilities, and standardised methodologies for carbon accounting in fashion are still evolving.

The brand has noted that smaller suppliers particularly may lack the resources or expertise to provide detailed environmental data. Ganni addresses this through capacity building programmes that help partners improve their measurement and reporting. However, achieving consistent data quality across a global supply network requires sustained investment and collaboration.

Key elements of Ganni's carbon tracking strategy include:

• Product-level carbon footprint calculations for individual items
• Direct partnerships with approximately 100 suppliers to gather primary data
• Digital traceability platforms that map materials from origin to finished garment
• Lifecycle assessment tools integrated into the design process
• Annual public reporting of emissions data and reduction progress
• Third-party verification through B Corp certification and sustainability audits

How does Ganni's approach compare to industry practice?

Ganni's level of supply chain transparency exceeds that of many fashion brands, particularly in the mid-market contemporary segment. Whilst large luxury groups and athletic brands have invested heavily in sustainability infrastructure, smaller independent labels often lack the resources for comprehensive carbon tracking. Ganni's willingness to publish detailed emissions data and submit to external verification sets a benchmark for brands of similar scale.

The fashion industry as a whole faces mounting pressure to demonstrate credible progress on climate commitments. Regulatory requirements in Europe, including upcoming digital product passport legislation, will mandate greater supply chain transparency. Brands that have already invested in data collection systems and supplier relationships are better positioned to meet these obligations.

Ganni's case demonstrates that supply chain carbon tracking requires both technological infrastructure and human collaboration. Digital tools enable data collection at scale, but meaningful reduction depends on changing practices across a network of suppliers. The brand's success in cutting emissions by more than a quarter in three years suggests that combining robust measurement with supplier partnership can deliver tangible results.