During the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), the International Council of Tanners, in collaboration with leather industry associations from over 20 countries and regions, released the new version of the "Leather Declaration." The declaration emphasizes the positive role of leather in reducing consumption and minimizing environmental impact. The China Leather Association actively responded and joined efforts to promote this initiative.

The declaration points out that leather, made from by-products of the meat industry, is durable and repairable, making it an ideal choice for achieving sustainable development goals. Durable leather products, by extending their lifespan, reduce the negative environmental impact of the fashion industry and promote the concept of "slow fashion."

At the same time, the declaration calls for the establishment of scientific lifecycle assessment methods to comprehensively measure the environmental impact of materials, preventing misleading regulations from unfairly targeting the leather industry. It emphasizes that the proper use of leather helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promotes the development of a circular economy.

As a key topic at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the new version of the "Leather Declaration" aims to secure more policy support for the leather industry, raise awareness of leather's unique value, and provide viable solutions for combating climate change.

Signatories of the New Leather Declaration:

• French Leather Federation (AFC)
• Australian Hide and Skin Leather Exporters Association (AHSLEA)
• Brazilian Leather Industry Center (CICB)
• Portuguese Leather Industry Technology Center (CTIC)
• China Leather Association (CLIA)
• European Confederation of Tanners (COTANCE)
• French Hide Federation (FFCP)
• French Tanners Federation (FFTM)
• International Council of Hides, Skins and Leather Traders (ICHSLTA)
• International Council of Tanners (ICT)
• International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS)
• Barcelona Leather Industry Base (LCB)
• U.S. Hide and Leather Council (LHCA)
• Leather Naturally (LN)
• UK Leather Federation (LUK)
• One 4 Leather (O4L)
• Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists (SLTC)
• Leather Sustainability Foundation (SLF)
• Turkish Leather Industry Association (TDSD)
• Italian Leather Association (UNIC)
• German Leather Federation (VDL)
• German Hide and Leather Federation (WHL)
• Zimbabwe Leather Development Council (ZLDC)

Source: China Leather Association, November 22, 2024.