MAS Holdings announces sustainability strategy: Plan for Change

MAS has also recently signed up for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) with commitments to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 25.2 per cent by 2025 from a 2019 base year, and further commits that 85 per cent of its suppliers by spend and 100 per cent of joint ventures in scope 3 investments, will have science-based targets by 2025. The Plan For Change is a commitment to inspiring sustainable change within its operations, amongst its customers, communities, and for the planet as a whole, the company said in a media release.

MAS Holdings is the largest apparel tech company in South Asia, headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka with facilities in 15 countries, powered by over 100,000 employees globally.

Since its founding in 1987, MAS has prioritised employee wellbeing based on a founding principle of doing the right thing and providing safe, secure, and comfortable places of work, with fair, equitable wages for team members. This core principle percolates to all areas of business, including the relationships built with brand customers, work in local communities, the ethical treatment of people, and actions towards the natural environment.

Over three decades, MAS created many programmes and initiatives aimed at improving workers’ lives, the products it makes, and the planet. MAS acknowledges that the industry it operates in has significant negative impacts and it is doing its part to mitigate these effects. The Plan For Change combines the work of these individual programmes and formalises the goals into one cohesive strategy to be carried out across the group, the release added.

While the Plan For Change is a new strategic approach to the company’s product, social and environmental goals, MAS has been dedicated to uplifting people and the planet since its inception.  Progress towards sustainability is an ongoing journey for the company and is demonstrated by its long-standing membership in the UN Global Compact (since 2003), signing of the Women’s Empowerment Principles, commitment to reaching many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and partnerships with the IFC, SAC, ZDHC and many others. MAS recognises that addressing many of the challenges the world and its inhabitants face requires sustainable, systemic change and is committed to doing so through ambitious, collaborative initiatives.

“Whether it be climate disasters, overconsumption, inequality, wars, and pandemics, we have witnessed how prolonged, unchecked human activity has negatively impacted our industry and our world. That is why we have established this Plan as the blueprint to create positive change; and we are inspired by these ambitious goals that we have set for ourselves. Achieving them will require unprecedented levels of innovation, collaboration, and alignment among our businesses, partners, and supply chain. We are excited to embrace this challenge and hope to create impactful change. We know that the road is long and will challenge us, but just as our founders were, we are committed to staying the course of doing the right thing,” said Sid Amalean, head of sustainable business, MAS Holdings.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)