Exploring Yak Wool with JNBY and Shokay
©JNBY
From May 7th to 10th, the "Snowland-originated, Nature-derived" Yak Wool journey co-sponsored by JNBY, Trachung Tsang Cultural and Environmental Protection Center, Yak Wool brand Shokay, and Aoyang Wool Fabric, took place in Ruoergai region, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan. A team of 40 individuals, including representatives of LESS, JNBY's high-end women's wear brand, delved into the survival challenges of the "snowland ship" - yaks, and contributed to grassland ecology restoration, sowing seeds of hope on 290 acres of "black-soil beaches".
This initiative is part of JNBY's "Fabric Utilization - Yak Wool Industry Revitalization Project", aimed at enhancing the yak habitat and preserving grassland biodiversity, while fostering the sustainable growth of the vital ecological zone in the upper reaches of the Yellow River - Ruoergai region.
Grassland ecological restoration remains a challenge
Data indicates that 95% of the world's yaks reside on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. Yak down, a naturally shed fiber, is one of China's scarcest and most emblematic natural fibers. Its production is crucial to the local Tibetan community's livelihood and the ecological equilibrium in Tibetan regions. However, due to human and natural impacts, grassland desertification has escalated, damaging the high-quality forage areas' ecological environment. The once lush pastures are now infested with weeds and poisonous grasses, and rodent burrows are prevalent, along with patches of "black-soil beaches". This desertification also diminishes the land's water conservation capacity, impacting the natural landscape and ecological health in the upper reaches of the Yellow River.
The Yak Wool industry revival is gaining momentum
Participation in grassland ecology restoration is a component of JNBY's "Fabric Utilization - Yak Wool Industry Revitalization Project" launched this year. The project also encompasses actions such as formulating international sustainable standards for Yak Wool, conducting herder animal welfare protection training, and ranch certification, along with innovative research and development of Yak Wool fabrics, aiming to connect multiple value chain participants from raw material collection to the consumer market and promote the enhancement and revitalization of the entire local Yak Wool industry.
Carol Chyau, founder of Shokay, a key partner in this project, stated, "We are constructing a sustainable ecological chain. Everyone is our partner, from the media, consumers, and platform perspectives. They are all critical links in this ecology. Community integration, consumer integration, and industry chain integration are the keys to leveraging overall sustainability."
JNBY, one of the first Chinese designer brands to utilize Yak Wool, has been studying it since 2022, within the five-year "Fabric Utilization" project initiated by JNBY and Róng Design Library. This has explored numerous areas for improvement in the Yak Wool industry.
GREENEXT's Take
The partnership between JNBY, Trachung Tsang Cultural and Environmental Protection Center, Shokay, and Aoyang Wool Fabric on the yak wool project is a laudable effort in sustainable development. It showcases a holistic approach to ecological restoration and community support, aiming to revitalize the yak wool industry while preserving the grasslands' biodiversity. This initiative not only bolsters the local economy but also promotes ethical standards and sustainable practices within the industry.
Furthermore, the project's focus on integrating various stakeholders, from herders to consumers, is key to its sustainability. It fosters a collaborative ecosystem where each participant plays a vital role, ensuring that the benefits of the project are widely distributed and contribute to the long-term health of the industry and the environment. This collaborative spirit is a testament to the power of collective action in achieving sustainable development goals.
