Whilst many raw materials are, quite rightly, accused of causing deforestation, leather produced from unsustainable cattle-ranching appears to avoid any censure. Yet, cattle ranching is the chief threat hanging over the Amazon. Through its 2013 campaign \u201cLeather is giving the forest a hiding\u201d, Envol Vert shone the spotlight on this issue, resulting in action being taken by the largest French player in the shoe industry, Eram Group.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> We are beginning to see multiple initiatives to reduce the ecological impact on the forest caused by our consumption of wood, paper, palm oil and soya. However, <\/span>the leather industry continues to be a sector where there is little awareness of the issue. This is particularly the case in France, the world\u2019s second greatest consumer of shoes with an average of 6.5 pairs of shoes bought per person per year.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Envol Vert estimates that today 1 in 7 pairs of shoes sold in France is a product of deforestation. 13.5% of shoes sold in France feature leather directly or indirectly coming from Brazilian ranches at high risk of causing deforestation. France imports 95% of its shoes, mainly from China and Italy which are the largest users of Brazilian leather.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>