When we write about sustainability in textiles, we are often talking about the manufacturing processes. But for true sustainability, we need to go back a step further to understand where the feed stocks are coming from. As with most things sustainable, progress, albeit slow from a global perspective, is being made, with more attention being turned to more sustainable processes in agriculture.

According to SolarImpulse.com, “Agriculture is the world’s largest industry. Intensive agriculture as it has been practiced since the 1960s has very high yields, but depletes the soil and pollutes the environment: greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, etc.”

As with many things in this time of climate crisis, there is a growing focus on green agriculture. SolarImpulse describes green agriculture as “The application of the sustainable development principles to agriculture: ensuring the production of food, wood and fibers while respecting the ecological, economic, and social limits that ensure the durability of this production.” For instance, sustainable farming minimizes the use of pesticides that can harm the health of farmers and consumers.