Helping Nobody's Child build a carbon management programme and net zero roadmap built for the fashion industry.

Overview

Nobody's Child had already started measuring their emissions. However what they needed was a more rigorous, scalable approach - one that could handle the complexity of a fashion supply chain, translate data into real decisions, and support an ambitious net zero roadmap. Seedling provided the platform, the expertise, and the ongoing support to get there.

"This process has shifted our mindset from measurement to management. Carbon is no longer a standalone exercise - it's becoming integrated into how we design products, select materials, and work with suppliers."

About Nobody's Child

Nobody's Child is a London-based womenswear brand, founded in 2015, and proudly B Corp certified. They design apparel with a strong emphasis on lower-impact materials, supply chain transparency, and circularity - serving customers who are style-conscious and increasingly values-driven.

"We've spent the last decade creating clothes that feel as good as they look for people who embrace individuality, live with purpose, and want to leave the world a little better than they found it."

Operating in one of the world's most resource-intensive industries, Nobody's Child has positioned sustainability not as a bolt-on, but as central to how they work. From increasing the use of certified and recycled fibres to rolling out Digital Product Passports ahead of regulatory requirements, they have consistently gone beyond the minimum. Carbon management is a natural extension of that commitment.

The Objective

Nobody's Child wanted to move beyond basic measurement and build a structured, ongoing carbon management programme - one with the rigour to underpin a credible net zero plan, the flexibility to grow with the business, and the clarity to inform decisions across the whole organisation.

The Challenge

Fashion supply chains are among the most complex to decarbonise. For Nobody's Child, the challenges were familiar to the industry but no less complex as a result.

Scope 3 emissions - the indirect emissions generated across the supply chain - are the dominant part of any fashion brand's footprint, and the hardest to pin down accurately.

"One of the biggest challenges has been the complexity of Scope 3 emissions - particularly gathering accurate, primary data across a global and fragmented supply chain."

Beyond data collection, there was the question of what to do with it. Nobody's Child had begun measuring their footprint before working with Seedling, but translating numbers into a prioritised, actionable plan required a more structured approach than spreadsheet-based processes could support.

"What held us back initially was limited internal resource to manage carbon accounting at scale, difficulty accessing consistent supplier data, and a lack of a centralised system to track and analyse emissions."

"Before working with Seedling, we had begun measuring our footprint and identifying key hotspots, but we were looking for a more structured, scalable approach to support ongoing carbon management and reduction planning."

Why Nobody's Child Chose Seedling

Nobody's Child needed a partner that understood the specific demands of a fashion business - not just the mechanics of carbon accounting, but the supply chain dynamics, material choices, and regulatory landscape that shape a fashion brand's footprint.

"We chose Seedling because of its ability to simplify complex carbon accounting while still providing the level of rigour required for a fashion business."

The depth of expert support available was a particular draw. Having a team on hand to interrogate the data, explore specific emissions factors, and work through the trickier parts of Scope 3 was something no platform alone could offer.

"It's so valuable having the Seedling team on hand to deep dive into topics and emissions factors."

How Seedling Helped

1) Centralised and strengthened the data foundation

Seedling replaced manual processes with a structured platform that centralises all carbon data in one place. With consistent methodology, clearer data inputs, and expert guidance on where to focus primary data collection, Nobody's Child were able to improve both the accuracy and the reliability of their footprint year-on-year.

2) Translated data into an actionable net zero plan

With hotspots clearly identified (materials and manufacturing emerging as the dominant areas), Nobody's Child worked with Seedling to build a net zero roadmap tailored to the specific shape of a fashion business's emissions. Reduction targets were set, and initiatives were mapped to the areas where they could have the greatest impact.

"Having numbers is one thing but understanding where to prioritise reductions, and how to engage internal teams, is another."

3) Embedded carbon across the business

One of the most significant shifts has been the broadening of sustainability ownership beyond the sustainability team. Through clearer data and more accessible reporting, buying and design teams are now actively engaged in conversations around materials and impact, with carbon considerations feeding into product development and sourcing decisions.

"Teams beyond sustainability - such as buying and design - are increasingly involved in conversations around materials and impact."

4) Supported wider sustainability initiatives

The footprint data has proved useful well beyond carbon reporting, strengthening Nobody's Child's supplier engagement work and providing an evidence base for their Digital Product Passport programme. Seedling's in-platform resources - covering everything from working-from-home guidance to travel policies - have also added practical value for the internal team.

"An unexpected win has been how the data has supported broader initiatives, including supplier engagement, cross-functional sustainability KPIs, and our Digital Product Passport work. It's helping us build a more joined-up approach to sustainability across the business."

The Impact

The core benefit has been clarity - a more complete, more reliable picture of where emissions sit and where action will have the most effect.

"The biggest benefit has been clarity and user-friendliness. We now have a more robust understanding of our emissions profile and where we can have the greatest impact."

Internally, the engagement has driven a meaningful shift in how sustainability is owned across the business. For a business that has always taken sustainability seriously, that integration represents a significant step forward.

Looking Ahead

Nobody's Child is focused on continuing to improve data quality, deepen supplier engagement, and embed carbon considerations more fully into product development and sourcing.

"Carbon is no longer a standalone exercise - it's becoming integrated into how we design products, select materials, and work with suppliers."

Nobody's Child's Advice to Other Businesses

"Focus on your biggest hotspots rather than trying to tackle everything at once. Choose partners and tools that help translate data into action. Engage internal teams early - carbon measurement and reduction is a business-wide effort."