Here’s how the global warming potential of leather has been reduced by 60%

What is the Higg Materials Sustainability Index?

The Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) is a tool developed by Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition) that assesses the environmental impact of different materials used in the fashion industry. It aims to quantify the environmental impact of material production, from raw extraction through manufacturing, finishing, and preparation for assembly. It also helps people understand the environmental footprint of various materials and identify areas where they can make more sustainable choices. 

Why has the Higg MSI for bovine leather been updated?

An extensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by Italian sustainability consultants SPIN360 in collaboration with Leather Working Group and Leather Naturally showed that the environmental impact of bovine leather is significantly lower than previously thought. Spin 360 collected data from 45 tanneries in 18 countries, analysing 92 cowhide products which included accessories, furniture, and car interiors. Then, after being submitted for third-party verification, in October 2024 a new industry dataset was adopted showing that the global warming potential of leather is reduced by 60 percent to 14.6 points – down from 36.8 points previously.

How does this change impact leather?

In simple terms, this new data shows that leather now has a much lighter carbon footprint than previously believed. This significant shift advances real change, promoting a more nuanced understanding of bovine leather as a sustainable choice of material. The updated Higg MSI data provides a more accurate assessment of the true impact of leather. By factoring in the industry’s sustainability advancements and more precise lifecycle data, bovine leather is now shown to have a much lower global warming potential than previously calculated

And what does it mean for Leather Working Group?

At Leather Working Group, we regard transparency as fundamental to fostering meaningful progress in the leather industry. Our collaboration with Leather Naturally reflects this commitment, and we are proud to see our combined Life Cycle Assessment data integrated into the Higg MSI update. This milestone underscores the significant advancements in sustainable leather production and reaffirms our dedication to responsible industry practices.

Want to learn more?

The impact assessment for leather had been unchanged for some years, so our contribution to the Higg MSI is significant. Click here to read a summary of Leather Working Group’s recently published Life Cycle Assessment. Learn more about how SPIN360 reached its conclusions here. And find out how Leather Naturally was involved in the research here.