June 26, 2008 - Clothing manufacturers in southern China and Hong Kong are developing their own carbon management standard to better appeal to Western retailers keen on reducing the carbon footprint of their supply chains, AFP reports.

Factory owners are currently working with environmental group WWF to develop a labeling scheme that denotes how effectively a facility is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

Suppliers hope the new scheme will give them a recognized platform from which to tout their environmental efforts to Western buyers such as Tesco and Wal-Mart, which have committed to keen on reducing their own carbon footprints.

"The nightmare scenario for manufacturers is that buyers come out with five different requirements on carbon, which just pushes up costs," says Liam Salter, head of WWF Hong Kong's climate and energy program.. "This project gives a chance for manufacturers to differentiate themselves in front of buyers."

The standard also aims to help manufacturers track and manage their energy use. "To save 20% on your electricity bill and to be able to reduce energy consumption when the whole of China is lacking energy? It is a no brainer," says Pat-Nie Woo, the owner of a Hong Kong textile mill.

Chinese clothing manufacturers launched the Sustainable Fashion Business Consortium, which promotes sustainable development within the industry, earlier this year.