Carbon Footprint of Jeans

This page provides an overview of the carbon footprint data for jeans based on available lifecycle assessment (LCA) figures. Professionals can use these insights to benchmark emissions, identify hotspots, and prioritize strategies to reduce the environmental impact of jeans manufacturing.

16.34 kg CO2e The Carbon Footprint of Jeans Jeans Carbon Footprint
What's the Carbon Footprint of Jeans?

What's the Carbon Footprint of Jeans?

On average, a pair of jeans has a carbon footprint of 16.43 kg CO₂e according to available data. This accounts for emissions across the full manufacturing lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to final assembly. While comprehensive details are limited, identifying emissions hotspots can guide strategies to reduce the environmental impact of jeans production.
  • Minimum footprint: 11.23 kg CO2e
  • Median footprint: 16.34 kg CO2e
  • Maximum footprint: 22.42 kg CO2e

Carbon Emissions by Process Step in Jeans Production

Each jeans' footprint includes emissions from multiple manufacturing stages. The following process steps were identified as carbon hotspots for jeans:
  • Coloration 0.89 kg CO₂e
  • Raw Materials 0.84 kg CO₂e
  • Yarn Formation 0.56 kg CO₂e
Carbon Emissions by Process Step in Jeans Production

Key Insights from the Environmental Data on Jeans

Coloration Emissions Hotspot

The dyeing and finishing process for jeans, categorized as 'Coloration', has the highest emissions at 0.89 kg CO₂e per pair. Reducing the environmental impact of coloration chemicals and techniques presents an opportunity for improvement.

Raw Material Impacts

Raw material sourcing and processing is the second highest emissions source at 0.84 kg CO₂e per pair of jeans. This underscores the importance of sustainable material choices and efficient processing methods.

Yarn Formation Emissions

Transforming raw fibers into yarn contributes 0.56 kg CO₂e per pair, highlighting yarn formation as another key area to target efficiency gains and lower-impact practices.

Product Complexity Relationship

With only 4 listed components, jeans have a relatively simple construction compared to many apparel items. The available data suggests a potential relationship between fewer components and lower emissions at 16.43 kg CO₂e on average.

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References

Data sourced from Carbonfact’s proprietary database, powered by over 50 million LCAs run on textile, fashion, and footwear products. The methodology is aligned with the EU Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and adapted for product category specificity.

Find more information about our LCA methodology here.
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