The Project Teams with Farmers, Supply Chains, and Brands to Promote a More Sustainable Future for the Wool Industry
Woolmark has unveiled Woolmark+, a new initiative aimed at uniting woolgrowers, supply chains, and brands to ensure a sustainable future for the wool industry. This launch comes at a critical time as the fashion industry faces increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices, driven by both regulatory changes and consumer demand.
Woolmark+ sets out a comprehensive plan to accelerate low-impact production, promote circularity, and improve animal welfare, while supporting woolgrower livelihoods. The roadmap includes 13 initiatives designed to reduce carbon emissions, optimize productivity, and encourage nature regeneration. These initiatives align with brands’ growing commitment to reduce Scope 3 emissions and enhance sustainability across the supply chain.
John Roberts, Managing Director of The Woolmark Company, highlighted the initiative’s broad vision. “With more than 60 years of experience, Woolmark understands the nuances of the textile industry and is dedicated to driving its success by aligning economic prosperity with positive ecological and social impact,” he said. “Woolgrowers in Australia are stewards of over 65 million hectares of land, and they can play a critical role in the global transition to a low-emission, nature-positive market.”
Key initiatives within Woolmark+ include:
- Insetting Program: This program links woolgrowers with global brands aiming to meet emissions targets through nature-based solutions on farms.
- Methane Emissions Reduction: Through nine research and development projects, this initiative explores ways to reduce methane emissions in sheep grazing. Early results show significant methane reduction and productivity increases.
- Nature Positive Farming Specification: Developed with woolgrowers and industry partners, this framework measures on-farm environmental performance, helping brands make credible sustainability claims.
- Nature Positive Impact Program: This program connects investors with projects aimed at reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting climate resilience.
- Woolmark Recycled: A new sub-brand added to the Woolmark Certification program, encouraging the production of quality recycled wool products.
By focusing on a “nature positive” approach, Woolmark aims to go beyond net-zero goals, addressing the broader benefits of wool-growing for both nature and livelihoods. This strategy, which targets halting and reversing nature loss by 2030, is designed to optimize carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery, and economic benefits for woolgrowers.
Woolmark+ is centered around supporting woolgrowers as environmental stewards. Through research, training, and investment, the initiative helps them enhance climate resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and foster biodiversity. The Carbon Storage Partnership, for example, aims to identify effective techniques for reducing emissions while improving productivity.
