Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh on Wednesday unveiled a book titled “Carbon Footprint Assessment in the Indian Handloom Sector: Methods and Case Studies”, marking a significant step toward promoting sustainability in country’s traditional handloom industry.
The publication, jointly developed by the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms under the Ministry of Textiles and the Department of Textiles & Fibre Engineering, IIT Delhi, provides practical methodologies for assessing and reducing carbon emissions in the handloom sector.
Highlighting the initiative, the Ministry said the book strengthens the government’s commitment to environmentally conscious handloom production and sustainable development. It offers simple, cost-effective steps for measuring carbon footprints, backed by real-world case studies of handloom products such as cotton bedsheets, floor mats, Ikat sarees, and Banarasi sarees.
The Indian handloom sector, employing over 35 lakh people – of which 25 lakh are women – plays a crucial socio-economic role while representing the rich cultural heritage of the country. Known for being eco-friendly, less capital-intensive, and adaptable to changing market needs, handloom weaving is a cornerstone of sustainable fashion in India.
The book integrates global climate reporting standards adapted to India’s unique operational context. It also outlines low-cost data collection and emission measurement techniques tailored for grassroots weavers, enabling the sector to transition toward greener practices.
The research was developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Weavers’ Service Centres, grassroots weaver groups, Greenstitch Private Limited, and other government agencies.