Wool Sweater

Material Composition Assumptions

The default wool sweater assessed is a lightweight pullover weighing 300 grams total, containing 85% virgin merino wool (255g) and 15% recycled polyester fibers (45g) for structure and durability. The wool originates from sheep farms in Australia or New Zealand, representing the highest quality merino wool commonly used in apparel manufacturing. The polyester component consists of recycled content to reduce virgin polymer requirements. Additional materials include natural dyes (5g), buttons and fasteners (10g), and packaging materials (15g cardboard, 5g plastic).

Manufacturing Geography

The default manufacturing region is China, which processes approximately 60% of global wool into finished garments. Chinese textile facilities typically operate with an electricity grid carbon intensity of 581 gCO2e/kWh as of 2024, reflecting the nation’s coal-dominated power generation mix. China’s dominance in wool processing stems from established infrastructure for scouring raw wool, spinning yarn, knitting fabric, and garment assembly. Major production centers include Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong provinces, where integrated textile complexes handle the full supply chain from raw wool to finished products.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	581 gCO2e/kWh	32 kgCO2e	Baseline
India	713 gCO2e/kWh	35 kgCO2e	+9%
Turkey	415 gCO2e/kWh	29 kgCO2e	-9%
Italy	285 gCO2e/kWh	26 kgCO2e	-19%
United Kingdom	225 gCO2e/kWh	24 kgCO2e	-25%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) containing verified cradle-to-gate carbon footprint data for the specific wool sweater model, certified under ISO 14040/14044 standards
2. Wool source certification documenting the geographic origin of wool fiber with associated farm-level emissions data, including methane emissions from sheep digestion and land management practices
3. Manufacturing facility energy data providing actual electricity consumption, renewable energy usage, and process-specific fuel consumption for wool scouring, spinning, knitting, and finishing operations
4. Transportation documentation covering logistics from wool farms to processing facilities to final assembly, including shipping modes, distances, and packaging requirements
5. Chemical input specifications detailing quantities and types of dyes, finishing chemicals, and auxiliary materials used in processing with associated emissions factors

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions for one 300g wool sweater including all upstream materials, processing, and manufacturing through final assembly
• Scope 1 emissions primarily stem from fuel combustion during wool scouring and garment finishing processes, representing direct facility emissions
• Scope 2 emissions reflect electricity consumption for mechanical processing including carding, spinning, knitting, and assembly operations based on regional grid carbon intensity
• Scope 3 emissions are dominated by upstream wool production including sheep farming, where methane emissions from digestion contribute significantly to the total footprint
• Functional unit definition covers one complete garment ready for retail distribution, excluding consumer use phase, washing, and end-of-life disposal
• Key data gaps include regional variations in farming practices, precise energy requirements for different wool processing technologies, and transportation distances in global supply chains
• The wool industry faces particular challenges in emissions allocation between co-products including meat, milk, and wool from sheep farming systems