The International Council of Tanners (ICT) and 12 other leather industry organisations have called on COP31 to recognise leather as a circular, bio-based material and support its use in more sustainable products.
COP31 is the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place from 9 – 20 November 2026 at the Expo Center in Antalya, Turkiye.
In a manifesto titled “A Manifesto for Leather on the occasion of COP31: Leather – the circular choice” the organisations said leather can play a role in reducing waste and the environmental impact of consumer products. They urged policymakers to support durable materials products that can be repaired and reused and alternatives to fossil fuel based materials.
The manifesto highlights that leather is mainly made from hides and skins generated as by products of meat production. It argues that livestock are not raised specifically for leather and cites the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) guidelines on leather’s environmental footprint to support this position.
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The organisations also point to research showing that leather has a high bio based content and is biodegradable. They argue that leather products can last for years because they are durable and repairable helping reduce the need to replace products frequently.
The manifesto also refers to the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and Bioeconomy Strategy which focus on product sustainability and the use of bio based materials. The organisations want leather to be considered in policies and regulations that will shape the future of materials.
They have asked COP31 to recognise leather’s role in a circular economy promote slow fashion and encourage the use of renewable natural materials wherever possible to reduce unnecessary reliance on fossil fuel based alternatives.
Read the full Leather Manifesto for COP31 here
The 13 signatories to the Leather Manifesto are:
- Association pour l’Assurance Qualite des Fabricants de Bracelets Cuir (AQC)
- Australian Hide Skin and Leather Exporters’ Association Inc (ASHLEA)
- Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB)
- Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE)
- Global Leather Alliance (GLA)
- International Council of Hides, Skins and Leather Traders Association (ICSHLTA)
- International Council of Tanners (ICT)
- International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS)
- Leather Naturally (LN)
- Leather UK (LUK)
- One 4 Leather (O4L)
- Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF)
- Wirtschaftsverband Haute/Leder (WHL)
