Climate change is becoming a pressing issue for industries worldwide. Pollution, toxic products and greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions are the main issues related to the leather industry as perceived by the public. Life cycle assessment
(LCA) method is a practical tool used to evaluate the life cycle environmental impacts of a product. The focus of this
study is the GHG emissions of finished bovine leather in a cradle to gate scenario. The global warming contributors
in the life cycle of finished bovine leather are quantified and expressed as a carbon footprint. The inputs of raw
materials including the raw hides are measured by mass, yet the outputs of the finished bovine leather are measured
by surface area. Due to this specific nature of leather, the study focuses on the correlation of life cycle GHG
emissions with the thickness of finished bovine leather. The final results conclude that the thickness of finished
bovine leather has significant impacts to the carbon footprints. This study raises awareness of the tanneries and
downstream footwear manufacturers to take thickness into account as an important factor for future life cycle
environmental impact studies. In addition, this study also lays the groundwork for further product carbon footprint
studies for not only tannery houses but also supply chains of the leather industry in Taiwan or Asia.