How to achieve a 90% reduction in carbon emissions of a t-shirt
Chart 1 - Supply chain analysis - The carbon footprint calculation for EarthPositive® shirts reflects all stages of the shirt life cycle from growing organic cotton through to the arrival of the products in the UK.
Chart 2 - Building on the initial footprint analysis, Continental has developed an easy-to-use model that allows it to understand the carbon impact of different product configurations, i.e. different combinations of raw materials, colours and sizes.
Transportation
EarthPositive has a ‘No Airfreight’ policy. We do not transport our goods, by air, instead we use containerised ocean shipping, and therefore the carbon footprint generated by transporting our apparel to Europe, Japan and the USA is negligible, more like a carbon fingerprint. EarthPositive ensures that our own production methods do nothing to contribute to environmental damage, social injustice or climate change.
Chart 3 - Continental is using the insights gained from its carbon footprint model to inform decisions about new product development, i.e. future T-shirt configurations, with the goal of continuous improvement and carbon reductions over time.
The Carbon Trust calculated that without the use of renewable energy, the carbon footprint of the EP01 Men’s white T-shirt in size Large would have been 6.574kg CO2; it now stands at 671g. which represents an 89.79% reduction in CO2 emissions.
Continental Clothing Co was the first fashion company providing insights on carbon reduction opportunities in the textiles/clothing sector, such as the impact of renewable power on otherwise carbon-intensive activities.
Based on these experiences, Continental Clothing has been developing tools and guidance to help other clothing brands improve. We share these tools and insights beyond just the t-shirt industry to encourage widespread adoption of Earth Positive methodology and practices resulting in carbon reductions and climate mitigation across the industries that make our clothes.
Driving forward the vision to establish a global supply network of footprinted raw materials, components and end products that will ultimately facilitate emissions reductions across the entire fashion supply chain.
This is how we act as a catalyst for change, how we demonstrate Leadership, and how we work to protect our future.