Cutting methane emissions is now seen as one of the fastest and most effective actions the fashion sector can take to curb rising global temperatures. The non-profit Climate Fashion Justice (CFJ) has released the industry’s first-ever methane footprint, offering brands a framework to measure and reduce their own CH₄ emissions.
Methane is 86 times more potent than CO₂ over a 20-year period, but unlike carbon, it remains in the atmosphere for only about two decades—meaning that cutting emissions today can deliver rapid climate benefits. Scientists warn that methane must be reduced by at least 30% by 2030 to prevent catastrophic climate impacts.
According to CFJ, without decisive change, the fashion industry could generate up to 712 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent over the next 20 years—driven largely by methane from animal-based materials. Although leather, wool, and cashmere make up less than 4% of total textile use, they account for roughly three-quarters of the sector’s methane footprint.
CFJ stresses that tackling methane is the fashion industry’s “emergency brake” on climate change. Without swift action to curb emissions from livestock and supply chains, the sector risks overshooting the Paris Agreement targets by as much as 50%.
By tracking methane as rigorously as carbon, CFJ hopes to push brands toward faster, measurable progress in achieving a climate-neutral future.
Read more news here