Leather manifesto reaches record 32 signatories as COP31 opens
The leather industry's manifesto calling for greater recognition of leather as a circular, bio-based material has attracted a record 32 signatories, as the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) opened in Antalya, Türkiye, on November 9.
The initiative, led by the International Council of Tanners (ICT), has continued to gain support since the manifesto, titled Leather – The Circular Choice, was first published ahead of the conference. The final total of 32 organisations is the highest number to have backed the initiative in any year.
The signatories represent leather industry associations, technical organisations and other bodies from across the global leather value chain.
The manifesto calls on COP31 to recognise leather's potential contribution to reducing the environmental impact of consumer products, promote durable and repairable bio-based materials and encourage the use of natural renewable materials in place of fossil-fuel-based alternatives.
It also reiterates the industry's position that hides and skins are by-products of meat production and that leather should be recognised as part of a circular bio-based economy.
image - UNclimatechange/flickr
