We Are Carbon Nuetral: Why Sustainability Is Important For Our Children

Elise Our Founder has worked for both large and small fashion brands and revealed the harsh realities of their impact on the environment, people, animals, and consumers. Driven by a passion for change, Elise founded July & Mae to prioritize ethical practices and sustainability, setting a new standard in fashion.

Our Children deserve so much more from their clothes and for their future. 

Why you can trust us:

• Our founder Elise has a Masters in Design & Innovation specialising in sustainable materials.

• We are a small family-run luxury baby clothing brand, we truly care.

• We rigorously study the latest and most sustainable trends, practices, and science.

Carbon Neutral Britain™ is the UK's Leading Carbon Offsetting Initiative – helping British Individuals and Businesses make an impact on Climate Change.

Their Vision is to become a leading Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Britain to tackle the Climate Change Crisis by educating and providing voluntary carbon offsetting to all - from individual subscriptions, charities and organisations - to businesses of all sizes.

So far their projects have already offset over 3 Million Tonnes of CO₂e and planted over 2 Million Trees, helping stop climate change and providing essential forest habitats for endangered wildlife.

Extinction is a natural phenomenon - claiming about five species per year - but scientists estimate dozens of species of plants and animals currently go extinct each day —nearly 1,000 times the natural rate. By 2050, as many as  30 to 50 percent  of the total species found on Earth will have  disappeared . Species diversity is crucial for ecosystem resilience, and without it, ecological communities will not have the strength to withstand change.

We are a part of many incredible projects around the world to help people, animals and tackle Climate Change.

Reforestation in Kenya is crucial due to the country's history of environmental degradation caused by human activities. Kenya is known for its diverse wildlife and range of forests, but in recent years, these ecosystems have been severely impacted by logging, charcoal production, and illegal settlements. This has led to an increase in droughts and poverty among local communities. 

42% of population live below the poverty line.Only 7% of Kenya is covered with forest.

Carbon Neutral Britain's project partners have quickly grown to become the largest and most efficient reforestation group in Kenya. With a total of 45 project sites across the country, they are working to achieve several key objectives such as re-establishing a sustainable water supply by protecting and replanting around springs and rivers, restoring vital habitats for wildlife, stabilizing steep slopes that are prone to landslides, and ensuring livelihoods for local communities. By rapidly scaling Carbon NeutralBritain's project partners team and operations, they are making significant progress towards achieving these important goals.

50 million+ trees produced, planted, and protected.1050+ employees empowered with fair wages.

• By sourcing timber from primary rainforests or harvesting large-scale monoculture plantation, the timber trade has significantly depleted tropical rainforests.

• CO2OL Tropical Mix is looking to change that by introducing sustainable timber production while reforesting degraded pastureland with a mix of native tree species and teak. The resulting forests offer a natural habitat for native animals and plants, protect and enrich the soil, save and filter water and contribute to the mitigation of climate change.

• The project, initially developed by Forest Finance and recently extended by the partner Sustainable Timber and Isla Cebaco, is based on a model that combines sustainable, high quality timber production with biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration. By also planting a mix of cacao and native tree species in some areas, the project also enables sustainable cacao production.

Project impacts and benefits:

• More than 7.5 million trees from 20 different native species have been planted – capturing carbon and migating climate change
• 25% has been declared nature reserve, protecting the forest and the animals and plants living there
• 15 threatened animal species from the Red List have found a habitat in the project
• The reforested areas serve as bridges for wandering animals seeking new habitats
• The project provides long-term employment for the local population. So far, the Forest Finance Group has created 150 jobs, through their reforestation projects in Panama. The training and further education of the native population leads to an improved living standard.
• Knowledge transfer around the use of sustainable and innovative forest management technologies, GIS and monitoring-systems in Panama lays the ground for future projects
• All employees receive a wage above the legal minimum, health insurance and a pension fund. Furthermore, they receive additional optional benefits such as a life insurance as a security for their families, an internal credit programme, training and further education and special seasonal bonuses.

REFERENCES

References

• United States Department of Agriculture, National Organic Program: Policy Memorandum
• Abdul, M. et al. (2021) Key performance indicators for adopting sustainability practices in footwear supply chains'.  E+M Ekonomie a Management  ; Liberec , 41(1), pp. 197-213. Available at: DOI:10.15240/tul/001/2021-1-013
• Rinaldi, F. Bernardino, C. Martos, Virginia and Pisani, Maria. (2022) 'Traceability and transparency: enhancing sustainability and circularity in garment and footwear, Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 18(1), pp. 132-141. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2022.2028454
• Quanitis (2018) Environmental Impact of the Global Apparel and Footwear Industries Study. Switzerland: Available at: https://quantis.com/wpcontent/uploads/2018/03/measuringfashion_globalimpactstudy_full-report_quantis_cwf_2018a.pdf (Accessed: 20 July 2022).
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Key Features
• GOTS: Version 7.0
• GOTS: Why GOTS? How Consumers Benefit From The Global Organic Textile Standard
• National Eczema Association: Sherpas and Shackets and Skiwear, Oh My: Staying Warm, Stylish and Flare-Free This Winter
• Skin Physiology of the Neonate and Infant: Clinical Implications. Advances in Wound Care. October 2015
• Sleep Foundation: Best Organic Sheets
• Vanderbilt University: Child heat stroke is a danger as outside temps rise
• Exploring young consumers’ trust and purchase intention of organic cotton apparel. Journal of Consumer Marketing. November 2018
• Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Public Health Statement for PCBs
• Health risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in baby clothes. A preliminary study. Environmental Pollution. May 2022
• Organic cotton production may alleviate the environmental impacts of intensive conventional cotton production. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. November 2020