The Woolmark Company, owners of Woolmark, a wool industry certification mark used on pure wool products that meet quality standards, announced the launch of Woolmark+, a plan designed to unite wool growers, supply chains and brands in ensuring a sustainable future for the wool industry.
Woolmark+ aims to accelerate low-impact production, promote circularity and enhance animal well-being and wool grower livelihoods. The roadmap includes 13 initiatives to empower nature regeneration, reduce carbon emissions and optimize productivity.
Highlight initiatives of Woolmark+:
- Insetting program: This initiative will establish the foundation for a wool insetting market, linking wool growers with global brands aiming to meet their emission targets through on-farm, nature-based solutions.
- Methane emissions reduction in livestock: Comprising nine research and development projects, this program focuses on identifying effective strategies to reduce methane emissions from grazing sheep. Early results include a 19% average methane reduction and a 27% productivity increase in grazing sheep consuming Agolin.
- Nature-positive farming specification: An ecological assessment of 130 wool farms, this study has identified a set of core metrics that can cost-effectively verify farm performance developed in consultation with wool growers and industry partners. A pilot project will look at operationalizing these metrics.
- Nature-positive impact program: This program will connect investors with research, development and conservation projects that reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, promote climate resilience and enable circularity.
- Woolmark Recycled: A new recycled sub-brand has been added to the Woolmark certification program to encourage more quality-assured and recycled wool products.
“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,” says John Roberts, managing director of The Woolmark Company. “Wool growers 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. Their commitment to nature needs to be well recognized and supported to demonstrate the wool industry’s role in supporting and enhancing biodiversity, beyond net zero targets.”
Nature-positive is defined as halting and reversing nature loss by 2030, with approaches to restoration optimized for carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery and livelihood benefits.
For further information and to download the Woolmark+ roadmap, visit www.woolmark.com/woolmarkplus