With suppliers ready to engage and emission hotspots clearly identified, the European Outdoor Group is scaling solutions. A solar-as-a-service model and collaborative approach could make decarbonization both practical and profitable. Katy Stevens, Head of ESG, shares the next phase.

To begin, can you outline what the Carbon Reduction Project is, and how it originally came about?

The Carbon Reduction Project (CRP) started in 2021 in response to a growing number of EOG members seeking alignment with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The idea was that individually, each company can only achieve so much. But collectively, they can really have a major impact.

We knew that there were major emissions in Tier 2. That’s why in the early years, we focused more on mapping the supply chain, understanding where brands share suppliers, and pursuing assessments and smaller operational changes, like efficiency improvements at these shared facilities. But the idea was always to build toward bigger actions like renewable energy and coal phase-out. Now, we’re much more focused on making sure those actions actually happen and are followed through.

EOG produced its second CRP case study report last year. What did it reveal about progress so far and the main challenges in the supply chain?

The case study basically confirms what we’ve been seeing since the project started. There are still huge amounts of emissions in Tier 2, and there’s still a lot of work to be done. But at the same time, we’re seeing that suppliers are generally willing to engage and take on mitigation actions, which is really encouraging.

What the report also shows is that the vast majority of emissions sit in Scope 3, particularly in purchased goods and services, which is where the processing stages like dyeing and finishing happen. Here, energy use is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels – with coal making up the largest share. So, there’s a clear gap between where the industry is now and where it needs to go.

Did you notice any progress so far?

Yes, there has been measurable progress. Across monitored facilities, emissions have already been reduced significantly, and most facilities are on track to meet a 50 percent reduction target by 2030. But the report also makes it clear that the biggest future reductions will need to come from renewable energy and fuel switching, which is exactly where we’re now focusing our efforts.

Which brings us to the SOLROS project. Can you explain what this is, and how it works in practice?

SOLROS is a rooftop solar scaling program launched in 2021 through work led by Icebug and now integrated into EOG’s Carbon Reduction Project to support science-aligned decarbonization goals. It aims to make solar adoption easier and scalable for suppliers and brands, reflecting a broader shift across the sustainability landscape from target-setting to real-world implementation, by enabling factories to translate climate ambition into measurable emissions reductions.

What makes it compelling is that it’s a low-effort, high-impact solution: free to join, simple to manage, and coordinated by EOG. For suppliers, it offers an easy entry into renewable energy with immediate emissions reductions, lower energy costs, as well as minimal operational complexity. At the same time, on-site solar helps future-proof factories against geopolitical uncertainty and the volatile fossil fuel markets we are seeing today by reducing exposure to price shocks.

Looking ahead, what are the next steps for the project?

Right now, we’ve started with Vietnam because we already have a good understanding of the supply base there. We’ve identified hundreds of shared facilities, so there’s a lot of potential. We’re also running a pilot with a footwear factory to refine the process further and make sure everything works smoothly before scaling up.

The plan is to expand across more facilities in Vietnam first and then look beyond. From around 2027, we want to start replicating the model in other production countries. The idea is to build a kind of toolkit – with vendors, templates, and processes – that can be applied in different regions.

How can other brands get involved – and why should they?

Solar is one part of the solution, but it sits alongside other actions like efficiency improvements and fuel switching. It’s very much a portfolio approach. The main thing is to come to us. EOG can guide interested members through the decarbonization process, as well as connect them with the right suppliers and solar vendors.

In terms of effort, it’s actually quite low. Brands mainly need to convince their internal management and their suppliers, and we’re creating materials to support that. It also helps if brands work together, because it’s easier to engage suppliers collectively.

The key point is that EOG sorts out the process, and it’s free to join. The benefits include climate mitigation, energy independence and reduced energy costs. In short: it’s about future-proofing the supply chain with virtually no downside.