The cashmere industry is a major global business, with an estimated 100 million cashmere goats worldwide producing around 20,000 tonnes of cashmere fiber each year. However, the environmental and ethical implications of the cashmere industry are increasingly coming under scrutiny, with concerns around animal welfare, land degradation, and sustainable sourcing.
Animal Welfare
The cashmere industry relies on the wool from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, which are mainly found in Mongolia, China, Iran, and Afghanistan. In order to collect the cashmere fibers, the goats are often subjected to a process known as “dehairing,” which involves combing or shearing the goat to remove the undercoat. However, some producers resort to inhumane practices, such as plucking or cutting the hair, which can cause pain and distress to the animals.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the need to improve animal welfare standards in the cashmere industry, and a number of initiatives have been launched to promote ethical and sustainable sourcing. For example, the Sustainable Fibre Alliance works with herders in Mongolia to promote better animal welfare practices and sustainable land management.
Land Degradation
The production of cashmere also has significant environmental impacts, particularly in the grasslands of Mongolia and China, where most of the world’s cashmere is produced. Overgrazing by cashmere goats can lead to soil erosion, desertification, and a loss of biodiversity, as well as contributing to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
In order to address these issues, a number of initiatives have been launched to promote sustainable grazing practices, such as rotational grazing and pasture management. These practices can help to restore degraded grasslands, promote biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable Sourcing
Another key challenge for the cashmere industry is ensuring sustainable sourcing of cashmere fiber. In recent years, concerns have been raised about the impact of cashmere production on local communities, particularly in Mongolia, where overgrazing has led to competition for pasture and conflicts between herders. To address these issues, a number of initiatives have been launched to promote sustainable sourcing of cashmere fiber, such as the Good Cashmere Standard, which aims to promote responsible land use, fair working conditions, and animal welfare.