SLF Joins the Leather Industry’s Call to COP31: Leather – the Circular Choice
World leaders, negotiators, businesses and citizens gather in Antalya, Türkiye from 9 to 20 November for COP31, the UN climate summit.
The Sustainable Leather Foundation is proud to be a signatory of A Manifesto for Leather: Leather – the circular choice, issued by the International Council of Tanners and supported by leather industry organisations from around the world.
The Manifesto makes the case that natural, biobased materials have a role in the climate conversation. It points to the increasing momentum towards the circular economy and biobased materials in policy, and argues that leather is part of the solution because it is derived from biobased raw materials, and its durability and repairability slow the cycle of consumption. It also highlights that hides and skins are overwhelmingly a by-product of the meat industry, referencing the recent UNIDO Guidelines for assessing the environmental footprint of leather.
The signatories call on the COP to:
- Recognise the cyclical, climate efficient nature of leather and its potential for a positive contribution to reducing the climate impacts of consumer products.
- In keeping with the aspiration for reduced consumption, greater circularity and reduced waste, to promote ‘slow fashion’, durable bio-based materials and products that can be used many times, repaired and refurbished, and last for years, such as those made from leather.
- Wherever feasible to encourage the use of natural renewable fibres like leather and reduce unnecessary reliance on fossil-fuel-based materials.
We invite our partners and stakeholders to read, share and join the conversation. If your organisation would like to add its support, please get in touch at info@sustainableleatherfoundation.com
