SYDNEY – The Australian Government has granted AU$4m to support the Woolmark+ Australian Wool Industry Insetting programme. The initiative is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the wool supply chain through innovative insetting practices.
Managed by Woolmark, in collaboration with environmental advisory firm Pollination and Landcare Australia, the programme seeks to link global fashion brands with Australian woolgrowers, enabling emissions reductions within the textile value chain.
The core of the Woolmark+ programme is an insetting framework designed to lower emissions through nature-based solutions on Australian farms. This approach, distinct from traditional carbon offsetting, is focused on emissions reductions within the same supply chain, allowing fashion brands to meet Scope 3 emissions targets while supporting environmental efforts at the source of wool production.
John Roberts, Woolmark’s managing director, said the insetting model aligns with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) standards for emissions reduction. He suggested that by supporting woolgrowers directly, brands can contribute to environmental sustainability in a way that also boosts rural communities and biodiversity.
The programme addresses obstacles woolgrowers face, such as limited capital, market access, and guidance on sustainable practices. By overcoming such barriers, Woolmark and its partners aim to make emissions reduction feasible for woolgrowers managing over 65 million hectares of Australian land, supporting environmental and economic resilience in wool farming.
Specific practices promoted by the Woolmark+ initiative include native plantings, which enhance carbon sequestration, and advanced flock management techniques to lower methane emissions from sheep.
Lara Phillips, a director at Pollination, said the programme offers the potential for “scalable, high-integrity emissions reductions that deliver environmental and economic benefits.” Landcare Australia, a non-profit with a longstanding commitment to sustainable land management, will provide on-ground support, helping woolgrowers implement these practices and access emerging environmental markets.
The Woolmark+ initiative is funded under Australia’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Program through the Natural Heritage Trust. With Pollination’s climate expertise and Landcare’s implementation support, it is hoped the project can become a scalable model for insetting within the fashion industry.
Participating brands will pay a fee, which will fund on-farm emissions reduction projects, with the return being measurable reductions in GHG emissions. Brands may also influence the selection of participating wool-growing properties, ensuring alignment with their environmental goals.
