Abstract

Due to growing environmental concern, non-conventional and renewable energy resources such as solar, wind etc., are useful in reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG’s) emissions and to realize the UN’s SDG’s. In this regard, a comparative study of carbon footprint (CFP) in leather processing using different renewable energy resources (RER) such as solar, wind, etc., is necessary. Herein, estimation of CFP for raw skin or hide to finished leather was performed using power consumption (kWh) data of various leather processing steps and emission factor (kg-CO₂/kWh) for various RER. CO₂ emission ((kg) per-kg of skin/hide processed or per-sq-ft)., of leather using RER was calculated. The results show that significant average reduction in CFP in leather processing, 78.5% (for skins) and 68% (for hides) could be achieved due to the intervention of renewable energy resources as compared to that of conventional fossil fuel based energy. The order of greater contribution in terms of reduction in CO₂ emission (kg) per tonne of processing for various renewable energy resources is: Wind ≡ Hydroelectric > Nuclear > Biomass > Solar PV. The present study and analysis could be useful for leather process industries to minimize GHG’s emission levels, achieve their target on carbon neutrality and gain carbon credits.