The Higg Index: How Brands Measure Sustainability
Take a deep dive into the industry-leading standard for environmental impact tracking
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Many outdoor brands are working to reduce their environmental impact, and they’re under increasing public pressure to do so. But inherent in reducing impact is knowing how to measure it. Luckily for them—and for anybody who cares about forging a more sustainable path—the Higg Index is here to help.
What is the Higg Index, and What Does it Measure?
In 2009, leaders at Patagonia and Walmart identified a need for standardized tools to measure sustainability performance across the apparel industry. Their vision emphasized collective action in addressing the industry's contributions to climate change, leading to the creation of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition—now known as Cascale, a global nonprofit with more than 300 member companies.
The Higg Index, which was developed by Cascale, is a widely used environmental measurement framework in the apparel and outdoor industries. It provides a suite of tools that help brands evaluate and reduce their environmental impact while improving social and labor conditions throughout their supply chain. These tools assess factors like materials, energy use, water consumption, chemical management, and labor conditions, helping companies identify areas for improvement and track progress over time.
Cascale emphasizes that the global threat of climate change is too great for brands and businesses to tackle separately. Instead, it stresses that collective action is the only way to achieve the Paris Climate Accord’s critical target of limiting global warming to a 1.5-degree Celsius increase above pre-industrial levels. While the Higg Index tools are not the only way for companies to assess sustainability performance, they are the most common. Our research suggests that a majority of outdoor brands use one or more Higg tools.
By using the Higg Index tools, outdoor brands can identify areas for improvement and make progress towards emissions reduction goals. However, while widely used, the Higg Index has faced criticism around transparency and reliance on self-reported data, highlighting the need for careful interpretation (more on that below).
A quick side note: Emissions reduction targets that carry credibility are aligned with or verified by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), an organization that helps companies set goals based on climate science. SBTi is considered the standard for emissions reduction targets in the outdoor industry. Some brands go through a full verification process with SBTi, allowing them to claim their greenhouse gas reduction goals as “SBTi-verified.” In contrast, other brands may set goals aligned with scientific recommendations but do not go through SBTi’s verification process. These brands can only claim their goals as “SBTi-aligned.”
Higg Index Tools
As mentioned, the Higg Index provides five standardized tools for companies to use. First is the Facility Environmental Module (FEM), which evaluates the environmental impact of manufacturing at a facility. It assesses energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, waste and chemical management, water use, and wastewater. In our research at Better Trail, the FEM is the most commonly used Higg tool among outdoor brands.
Next is the Facility Social and Labor Module (FSLM), which assesses working conditions throughout the supply chain, focusing on employee rights, wages, and workplace practices. We’ve found that many outdoor brands rely instead on programs like Fair Trade Certification (FTC) or Fair Wear. This may be because those programs predate the FSLM by more than 20 years and have a broader influence in evaluating worker welfare.
Higg also offers two tools that measure the environmental impact of materials and products: the Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) and the Product Module (PM). The MSI evaluates the impact of producing materials such as textiles, plastics, metals, and leather, allowing brands to compare options and select lower-impact alternatives. The PM takes a broader approach, measuring the impact of an entire product, including all materials and manufacturing processes. The final tool is the Brand and Retail Module (BRM), which helps companies assess sustainability performance across their operations, from environmental impact to transparency, and build frameworks to meet their goals.
To access the Higg tools, brands, retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other organizations must become Cascale members. Membership includes different subscription levels based on company needs. Companies can choose which tools to use, each with its own protocols, scoring systems, and guidance.
Criticisms of the Higg Index
The Higg Index is not without its limitations. One commonly cited criticism is its reliance on self-reported data, which can lead to inaccuracies. For example, the FEM—one of the most widely used tools—relies on company-provided data to assess impacts like energy and water use. After submission, companies receive metric-specific and overall scores, along with guidance for improvement. However, because the data is often self-reported, accuracy can vary.
Higg has addressed some of this by requiring third-party data verification when company data is shared publicly. Additionally, Cascale updated the tool in 2024 with updated verification guidance to improve accuracy, which has increased the number of verifications overall. While Higg does not publish this as a percentage, it states that in 2024 (the most recent available data), there were 12,700 verifications.
Critics have also raised concerns about the lack of publicly available data on the effectiveness of the Higg tools. For instance, Cascale does not publish aggregate greenhouse gas reductions achieved by member brands, limiting visibility into the framework’s overall impact. There are also questions around accountability, as the system does not enforce consequences for brands that fail to meet environmental targets. Additionally, it does not address broader industry issues, such as overproduction—particularly in synthetic textiles derived from fossil fuels.
The MSI tool, in particular, has faced scrutiny over data quality and potential bias. Some critics argue it favors synthetic materials, which make up a significant portion of Higg’s member base. For example, the MSI has controversially assigned more favorable scores to polyester than to some natural fibers like silk. However, Cascale released an MSI update in November 2025 aimed at improving data accuracy and supporting more informed, science-based material choices—particularly for cotton, nylon, polyester, and leather—indicating the program is actively working to address these concerns.
Cascale has taken additional steps to strengthen the framework. Corporate member brands are expected to set emissions reduction targets—though these targets are not required to be verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Higg also previously launched a transparency initiative to share product-level sustainability data based on MSI and Product Module insights, but the rollout was paused following concerns about accuracy and consumer-facing claims. More recently, Cascale launched a Technical Advisory Council in 2026 to strengthen the governance and imcorporate input from industry leaders and external experts, with the goal of improving transparency, accountability, and technical rigor.
As with many sustainability frameworks, these criticisms reflect the complexity of global supply chains and the challenge of accurately measuring environmental impact and working conditions at scale.
Is Higg Effective in Assessing Sustainability?
Our take at Better Trail is that the Higg Index is a useful way for brands to assess their sustainability performance. However, accountability, accuracy, and follow-through on emissions reductions rely mainly on the brands themselves. That’s why our sustainability ratings consider multiple criteria—not just Higg usage—including factors like responsibly sourced materials, chemical management, and repair services, among others.
Additionally, even if a brand is using the Higg Index tools to measure its impact (most commonly through the FEM tool), we look for specific data outlined in a public impact report published by the company. To evaluate progress, we assess whether brands set SBTi-verified targets, track emissions, and report on their results and reductions. When this information isn’t available, we contact brands directly. This approach ensures our ratings reflect a more complete picture of a company’s sustainability efforts.
Other Options for Measuring Sustainability
We recognize that while Higg is one of the most widely used frameworks for measuring environmental impact in the outdoor industry, brands have several options for assessing sustainability performance. To account for this, we apply a broader brand-level criterion—“Carbon Footprint Tracking”—across all ratings. Our research shows that, apart from Higg, the most commonly used frameworks are the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) and The Change Climate Project (TCCP). While other options exist, these are the most prevalent. The GHG Protocol and TCCP focus specifically on greenhouse gas measurement and reduction, whereas Higg offers a broader suite of tools covering facilities, materials, products, and brand-level impact.
The GHG Protocol is the world’s most widely used framework for greenhouse gas accounting and serves as the foundation for emissions tracking across many Fortune 500 companies. Like Higg, it relies on company-reported data, meaning accuracy depends on the quality and integrity of the inputs. Still, the protocol’s Scope 1, 2, and 3 framework is the global standard for categorizing emissions and underpins many other programs, including Higg and TCCP.
The Change Climate Project (formerly Climate Neutral) aims to eliminate carbon emissions and works with companies across various industries. Some companies use TCCP and its popular Business Emissions Evaluator (BEE) tool to track their emissions. Others go further by pursuing certification under the Climate Label Certified Standard, which applies to companies, subsidiaries, or brands—not individual products. It has evolved its certification from Climate Neutral Certified to the Climate Label Certified Standard, shifting away from a model focused on fully offsetting emissions toward one that emphasizes emissions reductions and investment in climate solutions.
Certification requires companies to measure all of their greenhouse gas emissions following the scope categorization system, which includes direct and indirect emissions across their supply chains. Certified brands must establish a Climate Transition Budget (CTB), calculated based on company size and emissions, requiring a financial commitment that directs funds toward projects supporting climate solutions. Rather than relying solely on offsets, the CTB sets a minimum annual investment, shifting the focus from offsetting emissions to funding a transition to a low-carbon economy.
Additionally, companies must develop at least two Reduction Action Plans (RAPs), outlining specific reduction goals to be achieved within two years. Companies with over $100 million in revenue must set a 2030 reduction target that is either verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) or reflects a 50% absolute reduction. Lastly, companies with over $5 million in revenue must include at least one RAP focused on Scope 3 emissions, which typically account for the majority of a company’s impact.
Once a company achieves Climate Label Certification, it is permitted to use the Climate Label to communicate its certified status. As an added accountability measure, companies with over $100 million in revenue must undergo third-party verification of their emissions data and publicly disclose their Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
Brands Leading the Way in Environmental Impact Tracking
At Better Trail, we closely analyze how brands track greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact, giving us insight into which companies are making meaningful progress and which are just getting started.
REI is a leader in sustainability performance, particularly in emissions reduction. It effectively uses industry tools to track and lower its environmental impact across its supply chain, including both Higg and The Change Climate Project (TCCP). REI has been certified under The Climate Label since 2021, following TCCP standards such as emissions measurement, public disclosure, and investment in climate solutions.
REI aims to reduce its Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 47% by 2030 and 90% by 2050 (from a 2019 baseline). It also commits to having 41% of its suppliers—by emissions—set science-based targets by 2025. Its targets are verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning with a long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. So far, the company has decreased its overall emissions by 12% from its 2019 baseline. REI also uses its influence to drive change across the industry—in 2023, over 90% of brands it carries had set science-aligned emissions reduction targets (note that REI has not updated this statistic for 2024).
Patagonia, another leader in sustainability, has prioritized emissions reductions over offsets for a long time. With a goal of reaching net-zero emissions across its supply chain by 2040, the company works closely with suppliers to lower emissions. Patagonia uses Higg tools to track its impact but places a strong emphasis on reducing it through material and supply chain changes.
For example, the brand aims to eliminate virgin petroleum-based fibers and, as of spring 2025 reports that 92% of the polyester and nylon it uses is recycled. Patagonia has also verified its climate goals with SBTi and regularly publishes updates on its progress. Additionally, it uses an Environmental Profit and Loss framework to assess the impact of its products, informing decisions to redesign or discontinue items that don’t align with its climate goals.
In the coming years, we hope to see more brands take similar steps by using available tools to measure, reduce, and take accountability for their environmental impact.
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