The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol “Trust Protocol” announced that it has now reached a critical milestone of tracking over 3 million kilograms of cotton through its proprietary Protocol Consumption Management Solution (PCMS).
This significant milestone was hit during the busiest fashion month — when all eyes are on the industry and the spotlight on its sustainability — during the biennial fashion month which opened on February 9 with the New York Fashion Week and closes Paris Fashion Week on March 7.
As international brands and retailers seek to credibly and transparently demonstrate their own efforts and achievements in driving sustainability in the industry, the Trust Protocol’s announcement marks a significant achievement in its development since its inception in 2020.
The verified data released today also shows that a total of more than 11 million units of finished products have been tracked through the PCMS system.
S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
“Coming in the middle of the world fashion month, these figures are not only timely, but outstanding in terms of the progress that the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has achieved in the three short years since its inception”, said Dr. Gary Adams, President of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Using the PCMS, brand and retailer members can make a variety of claims, including on-product, that are based on data-backed, verified Protocol Consumption Units.”
“Providing transparency through the supply chain is one of the Trust Protocol’s core premises and we’re proud to be the world’s first sustainable cotton fiber program to offer its members article-level transparency”, he added.
This is possible because the PCMS leverages blockchain and other digital technologies to record and verify the movement of Protocol Cotton and U.S. Cotton at every stage of the supply chain in near real time.
This requires all members of the supply chain – including mills and manufacturers – to be a member of the Trust Protocol.
The Trust Protocol is also the only system that provides quantifiable, verifiable goals and measurement and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics: land use; soil carbon; water management; soil loss; greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency.
The program captures key environmental and social data under a farm-level, science-based system and reports these annually on an aggregated basis.
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Welcomes American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. as a Member
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol “Trust Protocol” is pleased to announce the membership of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. “AEO”. AEO is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products through its American Eagle, Aerie, OFFL/NE by Aerie, Todd Snyder and Unsubscribed brands.
Trust Protocol membership will support AEO in its continued efforts to provide greater transparency, communication and standardized reporting of its ESG progress. Underpinned by a focus on optimism, AEO’s Building a Better World ESG strategy is centered on three key areas: planet (environment), people (social) and practices (governance). Notably, the company has set specific goals to achieve carbon neutrality in its owned and operated locations and significantly reduce water use, among other sustainability initiatives.
“AEO is excited to partner with the Trust Protocol as we work to move our sustainability practices forward, preserve our planet and meet the ambitious targets we have set on our journey to build a better world,” said Mark Rose, SVP, Production and Sourcing, AEO.
“The Trust Protocol will help provide AEO the opportunity to further verify our responsible sourcing practices and demonstrate the progress we’re
making toward meeting our environmental targets.”
“The demand for verified data to credibly demonstrate progress on sustainability targets is representative of a clear need across the retail
industry: the Trust Protocol is uniquely positioned to meet that need and is setting a new standard in sustainable cotton production where full transparency is a reality,” said Dr. Gary Adams, President of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “We look forward to working with AEO to demonstrate tangible and continuous improvement across the six key sustainability metrics we track.”
