Woolmark is this week launching “a major future-facing programme for the wool industry” with Woolmark+ being “a bold new roadmap aimed at driving the industry towards nature positive”. 

It comprises 13 science-based initiatives “intended to advance regeneration, reduce emissions and increase productivity” with the intention being to “support partners across the entire supply chain”.

Included is Carbon Insetting, described as a “groundbreaking programme to create a wool-insetting market, linking woolgrowers with global brands aiming to meet their emissions targets”.

On methane reduction there are nine R&D projects to reduce emissions from sheep using feed additives. Early results include a 19% reduction using Agolin, and a 50% reduction with Asparagopsis (seaweed).

The programme’s Nature Positive Specification sees the development of on-farm environmental metrics to enable brands and woolgrowers to make defensible claims. 

And the Nature Positive Impact Program connects investors with leading institutions working on projects that reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, promote climate resilience and enable circularity.

Finally, Woolmark Recycled is a new sub-brand “highlighting wool as the industry’s most recycled fibre”.

Woolmark, which has invested A$34 million in nature positive programmes over two years, highlighted that while wool makes up 1% of the apparel market by volume, it accounts for 8% of its value. And 90% of Australian wool bales are set to be traced by 2025, which is important as Australia is the largest producer of wool globally in an international industry that employs 17.5 million people.