At NAE Vegan Shoes, we believe fashion should be ethical, sustainable, and responsible—not just in the materials we choose, but in the entire lifecycle of our products. As part of our commitment to reducing environmental impact, we actively work to minimize and offset our carbon footprint.

While many brands focus only on reducing emissions, we go a step further by investing in a project that directly benefits both people and the planet. Here’s how we ensure every step in NAE shoes makes a positive impact.

 

♻️ The Carbon Footprint of Shoe Production

The footwear industry is a major contributor to CO₂ emissions, waste, and pollution. Traditional shoe manufacturing often leads to:

✅ High carbon emissions from synthetic and leather production.
✅ Water waste & pollution from toxic tanning and dyeing processes.
✅ Non-recyclable materials ending up in landfills.

At NAE, we address these issues by choosing sustainable materials and actively offsetting our impact.

🌿 Low-Impact Materials for a Greener Future

We significantly reduce our carbon footprint by using eco-friendly, innovative materials instead of traditional leather and petroleum-based synthetics.

Our Sustainable Materials Include:

🌱 AppleSkin™ – A leather alternative made from apple industry waste.
🌱 Piñatex® – A plant-based textile crafted from pineapple leaves.
🌱 Recycled Microfiber & Cork – Durable, eco-conscious, and long-lasting materials.
🌱 Organic Cotton – A natural and biodegradable lining option.
🌱 Bamboo Fabric – A lightweight, fast-growing renewable resource used in linings for its breathability and antibacterial properties.
🌱 Recycled Tennis Balls for Sneaker Soles – Giving discarded tennis balls a second life, reducing waste in landfills.
🌱 Recycled Car Tires for Sandal Soles – A highly durable and waste-reducing alternative to traditional rubber soles.

By using these materials, we cut down on CO₂ emissions, water usage, and toxic chemicals, making every pair of NAE shoes a more sustainable choice.

🌍 Offsetting Carbon Footprint: The Clean Water Project in Mozambique

While we focus on reducing our footprint, we recognize that some emissions are unavoidable. That’s why we actively offset them through the Clean Water Project in Mozambique.

🔹 Why Clean Water?

Many rural communities in Mozambique rely on burning wood to boil and purify water, which contributes to deforestation and CO₂ emissions. By repairing and maintaining boreholes, this project ensures access to safe drinking water, eliminating the need to burn wood for purification.

🔹 The Environmental & Social Impact

✔️ Reduces carbon emissions by preventing deforestation.
✔️ Provides access to clean water for rural communities.
✔️ Supports long-term sustainability by maintaining boreholes.

This initiative aligns with our values—supporting people, protecting the environment, and reducing CO₂ emissions at the source.

🚫 Why We Don't Support Some Reforestation Programs in Portugal

Although we would love to contribute to reforesting areas in Portugal, we have found that many programs also support hunting as a sport—something that goes against our ethical principles. As a vegan brand, we cannot support initiatives that promote animal exploitation in any form.

For now, we are committed to offsetting our carbon footprint through impactful projects like the Clean Water Project in Mozambique. We continue to seek new ethical reforestation programs that align with our values.

💡 How You Can Help Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

By choosing NAE Vegan Shoes, you are supporting a brand that actively reduces emissions and invests in sustainability. Want to do more? Here are some easy steps:

✔️ Buy Less, Choose Well – Invest in durable, high-quality footwear instead of fast fashion.
✔️ Take Care of Your Shoes – Use our eco-friendly cleaning kits to extend their lifespan.
✔️ Recycle & Donate – Return your used NAE shoes through our Pre-Loved program to give them a second life.

Every step towards sustainability counts!

🌱 Walking Towards a Greener Future

At NAE Vegan Shoes, we are committed to making fashion better for the planet. Through sustainable materials and carbon offset projects, we ensure that our impact is as positive as possible.

✨ Join us in making fashion more ethical and sustainable. 

👉 Explore Our Sustainable Shoes