Why is assessing environmental impact using carbon alone misleading?

The assessment of the environmental impact of products has become a major issue in our consumer society. However, it is common to focus only on CO2 emissions, forgetting other environmental factors. In this article, we will see why this approach is misleading using the example of sneakers and how to broaden our vision for a more complete evaluation.

The environmental impact of sneakers

CO2 emissions

The production of sneakers generates CO2 emissions at different stages, such as during the manufacturing of raw materials, the assembly of the shoes and their transport. These emissions are often highlighted to assess the environmental impact of sneakers. For example, a pair of sneakers from major brands emits on average 20kg of CO2 to produce compared to around 6kg for a pair from an eco-responsible brand like MEEKO .

Other factors

However, CO2 emissions are only one aspect of the environmental impact of sneakers. Other factors come into play, such as resource use, water pollution, biodiversity and waste.

Why the assessment based only on CO2 is misleading

Resource usage

Focusing only on CO2 emissions obscures the impact linked to the use of resources, such as water and raw materials. For example, the cultivation of cotton, widely used in the manufacture of sneakers, consumes a lot of water and chemical fertilizers.

The water pollution

Sneaker production also generates water pollution due to dyes, chemicals and treatments applied to raw materials. This pollution can have harmful consequences on water quality and aquatic life.

The biodiversity

The manufacturing of sneakers can also impact biodiversity, particularly when the raw materials come from intensive monocultures or the exploitation of non-renewable resources. In addition, certain practices, such as deforestation, lead to a loss of biodiversity and natural habitats. This is one of MEEKO's priority fights .

Waste

Finally, the production and consumption of sneakers generates waste, such as packaging and used shoes. This waste can end up in landfills or be incinerated, contributing to air, water and soil pollution.

The consequences of seeing through carbon alone

Impacts not taken into account

By focusing only on CO2 emissions, we neglect all the other environmental impacts mentioned above. This can lead to an underestimation of the real impact of sneakers and to poorly informed consumption or production choices.

False solutions

This carbon tunnel vision can also give rise to false solutions, such as resorting to carbon offsets without addressing other environmental problems. For example, we may wrongly believe that a product is “green” simply because it has a low carbon footprint. This has been the basis of many brands for several years.

Alternatives for a more complete assessment

Life cycle analysis

To obtain a more complete vision of the environmental impact of sneakers, it is necessary to adopt an approach based on life cycle analysis (LCA). This method takes into account all stages of a product's life, from the extraction of raw materials to the end of life, including production and use. Organizations like Fairly Made or Carbonfact allow us to move towards this.

Environmental indicators

The use of various environmental indicators also makes it possible to obtain a broader vision of the impact of sneakers. These indicators can include water consumption, waste production, air and water pollution, or even the impact on biodiversity.

Certifications and labels

Environmental certifications and labels are another way to evaluate the impact of sneakers in a more comprehensive way. These labels generally take into account several environmental criteria and guarantee that the product meets certain standards in terms of environmental impact.

Conclusion

It is crucial not to limit ourselves to the evaluation of CO2 emissions to understand the environmental impact of sneakers. By taking into account all environmental factors, we can make more responsible and sustainable consumption and production choices.

FAQs

1. Why is focusing only on CO2 misleading?

   Focusing only on CO2 is misleading because it obscures other important environmental impacts, such as resource use, water pollution, biodiversity and waste.

2. What is life cycle analysis?

   Life cycle analysis is a method which makes it possible to assess the environmental impact of a product by taking into account all stages of its life, from the extraction of raw materials to the end of its life.

3. What are the environmental indicators to take into account to assess the impact of sneakers?

   Environmental indicators to consider include water consumption, waste production, air and water pollution, and impact on biodiversity.

4. How can environmental certifications and labels help evaluate the impact of sneakers more comprehensively?

   Environmental certifications and labels generally take into account several environmental criteria and guarantee that the product meets certain standards in terms of environmental impact. They thus offer a broader and more complete vision of the impact of sneakers.

5. How can we avoid vision through carbon alone?

   To avoid seeing only through CO2, it is important to find out about the different environmental impacts of products and to favor more comprehensive evaluation methods, such as life cycle analysis, the use of various environmental indicators and environmental certifications and labels.