Bio-garmenting is the new thing for the climate conscious consumer. Researchers, designers alike are constantly looking for new sustainable fabrics, processes to reduce the carbon footprint of garments. Now, Canadian-Iranian designer, Roya Aghighi has made a stunning invention, developing textiles with algae, which turn the surrounding carbon dioxide in the air to oxygen through the process of photosynthesis, reports Business World.

Indeed, Aghighi’s apparels show the way how textiles can be made, with living, photosynthetic cells. Still at laboratory stage, if this works out and reaches the market, one can look forward to a line of sustainable bio-couture for the eco conscious consumers.

Sustainability goals with carbon neutral clothing

A scenario where ones favourite dress lasts for two months only if it’s watered every week and put in the sunlight for atleast 7-8 hours a day. And to dispose the dress one simply needs to compost it and return it back to the soil without pushing it to a landfill or dumping in an incinerator that lead to fumes that raises the AQI of your city.

A 2017 Accenture survey had revealed 33 per cent consumers would buy more if they knew the manufacturer’s name. Indeed carbon-neutral apparel is perhaps the best way of reaching sustainability goals for brands. Carbon-neutrality encompasses strict benchmarks related to effluence free manufacturing, fertilizer free crop cultivation and 100 per cent water recycling to conserve ground water levels and most importantly, the tenets of buy, conserve and compost.

Stats and studies reveal, the global apparel industry emits 3.2 billion tons of CO2 annually, or 10 per cent of the global carbon emissions and more than 20 per cent of wastewater in addition to 93 million meters of textile waste. What’s more it takes over 70 million barrels of oil to produce all the global consumption of polyester fibres which constitute around 65 per cent of all clothing manufactured in factories with weak carbon footprint management systems.

While bio-couture, which involves sourcing alternative textiles from wood, fruit, bamboo, algae is the way forward, it may be costly for a mass-premium offering. And it’s yet to achieve critical mass in terms of pricing, mass production, evolved supply chains. However, given the right push, bio-couture will definitely achieve its moment of glory.

With the world focusing on reducing CO2e emissions to 45 per cent by 2030, and 0 per cent by 2045 perhaps it’s time to look for alternative ways of manufacturing. Much like handloom India could show the way with a huge manpower of skilled weavers, artisans and growers abounding in almost each village. Coupled with urban exfiltration and genealogical skills, India can easily lead the charge of carbon neutrality. Meanwhile designers like Roya Aghighi need to test their invention in the Indian market to stay relevant.