Sustainable materials could help solve the fashion industry’s emissions problem

The fashion industry is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and most originate with the raw materials used in clothing -- like leather, cotton, and synthetic fibres. Evoco is working to reduce fashion’s emissions. Led by James Robinson, the Toronto-headquartered company provides sustainable materials to leading footwear producers like Kodiak and Timberland. The company claims to have saved 948,900 kg of carbon emissions, and in an interview with Prof. Karl Moore for Forbes.com, Robinson elaborated on plans to bring sustainable solutions to other goods. Evoco has new technologies that can replace fake leather with plant-based materials, said Robinson. And the company is developing greener materials for everything from adhesives to automobiles.