The Cali Wool Beanie was made in the US with the help of industry organisations Fibershed and Bare Ranch. Regenerative agricultural practices used at the ranching stage of production have managed to capture more carbon in the soil than is emitted into the atmosphere, The North Face claims.

It is estimated that Bare Ranches farming practices will capture 4,000 metric tonnes of CO2 each year – the equivalent to offsetting the emissions from around 850 passenger vehicles.

The North Face’s senior sustainability manager James Rogers said the “Climate Beneficial” beanie underpins the company’s “mindful approach” to the design of its products.

“We are excited by Climate Beneficial™ wool given its net negative carbon impact at the ranching stage of production and ability to make soil healthier for the planet,” Rogers said.

“We developed the Cali Wool Beanie to challenge ourselves — to see if we could create and bring to market a product that reduces our standard carbon footprint, while maintaining our performance and design ideals.”

Cottoned on

The limited-edition Cali Wool Beanie, available in Natural and Asphalt Grey, is on sale for $45 in stores and online. The North Face will look to expand its Climate Beneficial to other products in 2018.

The North Face’s proprietor VF Corporation, which also owns footwear brand Timberland, signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative in September. VF reduced its global carbon emissions by 12% between 2011 and 2015.

The North Face is not the only company seeking to drive sustainability through tweaks to clothing production. Marks & Spencer (M&S) last month launched a new menswear wool blend suit made with 55% recycled wool, which includes materials donated in-store by its customers.

It came after this summer’s launch of an M&S men’s jeans range produced using five time less water than conventional methods, as well as having a reduced energy and chemical footprints. Elsewhere, both H&M and Mango have unveiled new sustainable fashion collections made from organic and recycled materials.

George Ogleby

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