Plant-based

Climate-resistant, soil-friendly plants can provide renewable, carbon-positive materials when regeneratively farmed and locally produced.

Prolonged droughts and desertification are an escalating problem, especially in Africa and Asia, where farms and small producers are increasingly affected. Plants that thrive on semi-arid, water-restricted land, regenerate soil and draw in atmospheric CO2 could be key to make materials while mitigating climate impact.

Benefits: plants can act as a carbon sink. Desserto claims its cactus plants absorb 8,100 tonnes of CO2 annually, significantly offsetting CO2 emitted in production, and the succulent only needs 200 litres of water to grow one kilo of biomass, as it can absorb moisture from atmospheric humidity such as rainwater and earth minerals.

The elephant ear leaves that form Nova Kaeru's beLEAF material are planted in Rio de Janeiro's reforestation farms, which it says negates its CO2 emissions.The leaves are processed via a patented LIVE (low input, vast effect) method, safely returning manufacturing residues back to the soil, composting the solids and using liquids to water the plants.

Considerations: some plant materials are judged not durable enough for long-lasting products, can be tricky to work with and prone to degrading over time, potentially with an unattractive odour. They are mainly part-recyclable or biodegradable, due to plastic based additions.

How you can action this: identify where plant-based materials could be part of carbon reduction and regenerative material programmes.