Australian lifestyle brand Country Road announced the recipients of its 2024 Climate Fund grants, aimed at advancing climate solutions within the fashion industry.
This year, four pioneering projects will receive funding as part of the company’s three-year, $1.5 million commitment to drive sustainable practices and reduce the sector’s carbon footprint.
Launched in 2022, the Country Road’s Climate Fund, aims to support projects that promote positive climate outcomes by reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the fashion supply chain.
By focusing on biodiversity, circularity, First Nations-led projects, and innovation, the fund seeks to make an impact on the environment and the industry’s relationship with nature.
Grant recipients and projects
Robotic Textile Sorting
- Funding: $30,000
This project by RediRobots, in collaboration with Textile Recyclers Australia and the University of Canberra, aims to tackle the challenge of textile waste sorting, a major contributor to environmental damage.
The robotic sorting technology developed by RediRobots automates sorting by garment type and colour, reducing landfill contributions and CO2 emissions, while promoting circular fashion practices.
First Nations-led Traditional Weaving Initiative
- Funding: $51,400
In Central Arnhem Land, this project supports the Mimal Women Rangers and Elders as they preserve traditional weaving practices and engage in land conservation.
Collaborating with the Djilpin Arts Centre, this initiative facilitates the collection of pandanus and dyes for weaving while conducting “cool burns” to manage the land.
In addition to cultural preservation, the project generates income for the community and integrates weaving practices into the local school curriculum, fostering a connection between environmental care and cultural heritage.
Circular Sourcing Toolkit
- Funding: $139,700
The Surplus Guide by Circular Sourcing, developed by Courtney Holm of A.BCH, focuses on diverting surplus fabrics from landfills back into the fashion supply chain.
With 40,000 tonnes of surplus fabric discarded annually, the project aims to provide a comprehensive toolkit for brands, designers, and manufacturers to re-circulate quality materials.
After diverting 5 tonnes of textiles in a pilot program, the initiative now plans to prevent an additional 238 tonnes of textile waste through research-backed solutions and industry collaboration.
Biodiversity Restoration on Wool Farms
- Funding: $200,000
Partnering with Australian Wool Innovation and a local farming family, the initiative will plant 30,000 native plants to create wildlife corridors and enhance climate resilience.
This effort not only supports habitat recovery for threatened species but also demonstrates how agricultural practices can align with climate adaptation goals.
The selection of this year’s finalists was conducted by an expert panel, including Yatu Widders Hunt, general manager of Cox Inall Ridgeway, Dr Carter Ingram, managing director of Pollination, and Fabia Pryor, Country Road’s brand sustainability manager.
Panel member Aleasha McCallion, strategic projects manager at Circular Economy Transitions and co-founder of the Circular Economy Textiles Program, remarked on the significance of the initiative: “Country Road’s Climate Fund is demonstrating leadership and a clear commitment to supporting—and importantly, directly funding—local grassroots community and industry collaborative projects which have impact.”
“All of the Climate Fund recipients clearly reflect exceptional innovation and dedication to sustainable and circular solutions in Australia which connect our close relationship with fibre, textiles and fashion, back to the health and wellbeing of people and planet,” she noted.
