American Sheep Magazine March 2026

CONVENTION COVERAGE 2026

DR. PAUL SWAN, TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR IWTO

KEYNOTE RECAP: MEASURING SHEEP IN THE CARBON CYCLE

Keynote speaker Dr. Paul Swan, a long-time wool sustainability consultant who is closely involved in work on the International Wool Textile Organiza tion (IWTO) Green Book, put words and data to what ranchers have known for years: wool isn’t a detriment to the environment, it’s a natural product that works with nature. Now, the global wool community is taking action. Swan high lighted the Green Book initiative, built to give policy makers, educators, brands,

and consumers clearer, more accurate information about wool’s environmental performance and how it fits into natural carbon cycles, which current standards ignore. ASI’s longstanding relationship with IWTO, active participation in the Green Book effort, and support for sustainability work helps ensure U.S. producers are fully represented as these standards take shape. One of the most practical take aways was ISO 14067, a globally recog

nized method for calculating a product’s carbon footprint. Swan described it as a stronger “rulebook” because it encour ages accounting that reflects living sys tems, including land impacts and bio genic carbon (carbon that cycles through plants and animals). What’s next? Keep doing what producers do best: raise sheep responsibly while ASI supports IWTO in its work to make sure the data, standards, and messaging align with the reality on the ground.

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