Pages 112–120
Abstract
Research summary supplied by the authors
India’s national commitment to achieve Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2070 places significant responsibility on resource-intensive sectors such as leather manufacturing to adopt transparent, standardised, and scientifically robust greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment frameworks. Conventional carbon accounting tools often lack the process-specific granularity required to capture the complex biochemical and physico-chemical transformations inherent to leather processing, leading to uncertainty and inconsistent reporting. To address this limitation, CLI-Mate, an exclusive digital platform, has been developed to assess the carbon footprint of leather manufacturing operations and associated wastewater treatment systems with high precision and reproducibility. By quantifying emissions, tanneries can better understand their environmental impact and identify opportunities for emission reduction. CLI-Mate employs a modular architecture covering: (i) raw material and chemical inputs; (ii) beamhouse, tanning, post-tanning, finishing, and utility consumption; (iii) solid-waste generation, handling, and potential valorisation pathways; and (iv) ETP/ CETP operations, including sludge treatment. Each module captures detailed operational, chemical, and energy parameters to generate accurate and reproducible carbon footprint estimates. The platform incorporates a life-cycle-based approach encompassing all stages of leather production, from raw material acquisition to final product distribution. Key parameters such as energy use, chemical consumption, waste generation, and transportation are systematically analysed. In addition, CLI-Mate enables scenario analysis and optimisation to support identification of emission hotspots and resourceefficiency improvement pathways. Field deployment in Indian and African tanneries demonstrated the applicability and robustness of the system. Initial results indicate that tanneries can identify significant carbon hotspots and evaluate decarbonisation pathways across key processing stages. By offering a science-driven, sector-specific digital framework, CLI-Mate supports alignment with Climate Action 2070 and global sustainability goals for 2050 and beyond.