Sustainable footwear brand Allbirds has just announced a major industry milestone: the launch of the M0.0NSHOT sneaker, which achieves a truly net-zero carbon footprint without relying on offsets. The company is also making its entire toolkit open-source, inviting the global fashion industry to follow its lead. Here’s how Allbirds made net-zero a reality, what makes the M0.0NSHOT unique, and why it’s set to change how shoes (and clothes) are made.
What Makes the M0.0NSHOT a True Net-Zero Shoe?
Unlike many “net-zero” claims that depend on buying carbon offsets, Allbirds’ M0.0NSHOT sneaker achieves an actual 0.0 kg CO2e carbon footprint compared to the footwear industry average of 14 kg CO2e by fundamentally rethinking materials, manufacturing, and transportation.
- Regenerative Merino Wool Upper: Sourced from Lake Hawea Station in New Zealand, this wool is produced in a way that captures more carbon than it emits.
- Sugarcane-Based Foam Midsole: The proprietary SuperLight Foam is 80% bio-based, reducing emissions compared to petroleum-based foams.
- Bioplastic Eyelets: Created with Mango Materials, these use microorganisms to convert methane from sheep into a moldable, carbon-negative polymer.
- Carbon-Efficient Packaging: Made with sugarcane-derived Green PE, requiring less space and weight for transportation.
- Carbon-Conscious Shipping: The entire supply chain, from factory to warehouse, uses biofuel-powered ocean shipping and electric trucking.
How Allbirds Is Changing the Net-Zero Conversation
The M0.0NSHOT project started with Allbirds’ commitment to real carbon reduction not greenwashing. Instead of depending on carbon credits, the company re-engineered every part of the sneaker and tracked emissions at each step. Allbirds worked with Lake Hawea Station and The New Zealand Merino Company to pioneer a new carbon footprint method that measures both emissions and carbon capture, offering a more accurate view of true climate impact.
“M0.0NSHOT isn’t a silver bullet for the climate crisis it’s a proof-point that, when we take sustainability seriously and are laser-focused on carbon reduction, we can make incredible breakthroughs.”
— Tim Brown, Allbirds Co-Founder and Co-CEO
Open-Source Innovation: An Industry-Wide Invitation
To prevent M0.0NSHOT from becoming a one-off success, Allbirds is open-sourcing its net-zero toolkit and encouraging competitors to use it. By sharing their process, Allbirds hopes to accelerate sustainable innovation across the fashion and footwear sectors.
“It’s about progress, not perfection,” says Hana Kajimura, head of sustainability at Allbirds. “We could spend decades debating the finer points of carbon sequestration, or we can innovate today with a common sense approach.”
When and Where to See the M0.0NSHOT
The world will get its first look at the M0.0NSHOT in June, when Allbirds unveils the sneaker at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen. The release marks the beginning of a new era in truly sustainable footwear one built on transparency, innovation, and open collaboration.
For more details on how the M0.0NSHOT achieves net-zero, and to access the open-source toolkit, visit Allbirds online.
