Seminar · Season 1

The Carbon Footprint of Wool

7 October 2024

This conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities within the wool industry, particularly focusing on the Product Environmental Footprinting (PEF) scheme and its implications for wool’s environmental assessment. Angus Ireland discusses the flaws in the PEF methodology, including its bias against natural fibers and the need for more comprehensive environmental assessments. Tone S. Tobiasson adds her perspective on the role of life cycle assessments and the impact of synthetic fibers on fast fashion, emphasizing the importance of clear definitions and consumer awareness in driving lower-impact practices.

Session Guests

Angus IrelandProgram Manager, Fibre Advocacy and Eco CredentialsAustralian Wool Innovation
Tone Skårdal TobiassonJournalist and author

Hosted by

Lisa BergstrandFounderBergstrand & Good Wool Collective

Session summary

Wool’s Carbon Footprint: A Complex Story

Wool’s environmental impact is largely due to methane emissions from sheep, as ruminant animals naturally produce methane during digestion. Measuring this footprint is usually done through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a method that evaluates the environmental impacts of a product from raw material extraction to end-of-life. In the case of wool, LCAs often highlight methane emissions as a significant contributor to its carbon footprint, which is why wool is sometimes perceived as worse for the environment than other fibres.

However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. Wool has many positive attributes that set it apart from other fibres. For example, regenerative farming practices can help mitigate emissions by sequestering carbon in the soil, and wool is both biodegradable and durable. Unlike synthetic fibres, it doesn’t release harmful microplastics, and its long lifespan means fewer replacements are needed, reducing overall consumption and waste. So, while wool’s footprint may seem high, there are ways to make its production lower-impact and better for the environment.