As world leaders gathered in Paris last week to thrash out a deal to save the world from climate disaster, Adidas unveiled its own contribution to a greener planet: 3D-printed trainers fashioned from ocean plastic pollution.

The innovative footwear concept comes from the ongoing collaboration between Adidas and Parley for the Oceans – a creative initiative which seeks ways to repurpose ocean waste and raise awareness of the growing issue. The Ocean Plastic shoe consists of an upper made with ocean plastic content and a midsole which is 3D printed using recycled polyester and gill net content.

“World leaders forging an agreement is wonderful, but we shouldn’t need to be told to do the right thing. The industry can't afford to wait for directions any longer,” said said Eric Liedtke, adidas Group Executive Board member responsible for Global Brands.

“Together with the network of Parley for the Oceans we have started taking action and creating new sustainable materials and innovations for athletes. The 3D-printed Ocean Plastic shoe midsole stands for how we can set new industry standards if we start questioning the reason to be of what we create.”

Adidas has pledged to boost its green credentials through a number of initiatives, such as ending the use of plastic bags in its retail stores, ending the use of plastic microbeads across all its body care products and ceasing to use plastic bottles for meetings at its headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

It is not yet clear whether Adidas has plans to bring the show to market, although the footwear giant has previously said it plans to dominate the market by focusing on innovative design.

The great leap forward in footwear is also a focus for fierce rival Nike, which recently unveiled a special edition hoverboard trainer – as imagined in the film Back to the Future.