AUG 06: Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, launched a pivotal book titled “Carbon Footprint Assessment in the Indian Handloom Sector: Methods and Case Studies” on August 6, 2025. This publication is the result of a joint effort between the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, and the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, IIT Delhi.
The handbook introduces easy-to-follow steps to assess carbon emissions within the handloom sector, using real-world case studies from across India. It covers iconic handloom products like cotton bedsheets, floor mats, Ikat sarees, and Banarasi sarees, offering industry-specific guidance on sustainable practices.
Speaking at the launch, Shri Giriraj Singh emphasized, “Real progress in sustainability requires measuring the carbon impact at every stage of textile production. Without quantifiable data, we cannot identify areas for improvement or assess the impact of our actions.”
The handloom industry employs over 35 lakh artisans, including more than 25 lakh women, making it a vital contributor to rural livelihoods and women’s economic empowerment. Handloom weaving represents a significant aspect of India’s cultural heritage and is known for its eco-friendly practices, low power usage, and small-batch flexibility.
This book aims to further green this sector by offering low-cost data collection tools and emission tracking techniques tailored to Indian handloom operations. Developed in close coordination with Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology, Weavers Service Centres, grassroots weaver groups, and sustainability partners like Greenstitch Pvt. Ltd., the book aligns with international climate reporting standards while staying grounded in the Indian context.
The Ministry has called upon stakeholders, media, and the public to engage with this vital resource and use its recommendations to make India’s textile industry more sustainable and climate-resilient.
