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money during the pandemic (67%). sustainability progress through sophisticated data
collection and independent third-party verification,
As work continues towards delivering more enabling members to better track the cotton entering
sustainable options to meet growing consumer their supply chain. Members also will have access to
demand, findings show two thirds (65%) of brands aggregate year-over-year data on water use,
and retailers agree that data is important to their greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, soil carbon
future sustainability goals. The Trust Protocol will and land use efficiency.
provide brands and retailers the critical assurances
they need to show the cotton fiber element of their The Trust Protocol is included on the Textile
supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower Exchange’s list of 36 preferred fibers and materials
environmental and social risk. that more than 170 participating brands and retailers
can select from as part of Textile Exchange’s Material
The Trust Protocol is a system for more responsibly Change Index program. The Trust Protocol also is
grown cotton that has committed to six areas of working to align with existing standards in the cotton
sustainability in line with the U.N. Sustainability industry and is part of the Forum for the Future
Development Goals. It underpins and verifies Cotton 2040 and the CottonUp guide.

customers – with two-thirds (61%) also noting that said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton
• 61% of brands and retailers say their customer 1,000 brands and retailers in the U.S. and UK to
demand has increased for environmentally determine the impact the pandemic has had on the there has been an increased demand for sustainable Trust Protocol. “We’re encouraged to learn that so
sustainable business practices and goods/services. importance of and investment in sustainability products. many brands and retailers are looking to set new
• Nearly two thirds (63%) believe that the pandemic initiatives. As brands and retailers look to the future, standards for the industry, instead of simply following
has had a positive impact on their company’s there is a sense of optimism for increased consumer The research also found that 63% of brands and what currently exists. As we work towards recovery in
proactive investment in sustainability. spending and investment in environmentally friendly retailers stated that the pandemic has had a positive many sectors, systems like the Trust Protocol are
• Half of brands and retailers are expecting to see an practices – with 28% of brands and retailers impact on their company’s proactive investment in available to provide the data needed to verify that
increase in consumer spending on sustainable committed to setting new industry standards for sustainability with the following main areas of focus: sustainability targets are being met.”
apparel over the next 12 months. sustainability. • Sourcing sustainably produced raw materials (42%)
• Manufacturing sustainability and reducing impacts As the vaccine roll-out picks up pace across the
of chemicals, water and energy (42%) world, consumers are beginning to think about the
Consumers around the world have adapted to social As the one year of many countries going into
distancing measures and lockdowns over the last 12 lockdown approaches, the Trust Protocol’s research • Safe working environments (40%) ‘new normal’, with half (50%) of brands and retailers
months, with the way they dress, work, and shop findings reveal that 69% of brands and retailers expecting to see an increase in customer spending
changing dramatically. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol believe that the pandemic has emphasized the “It is undeniable that the pandemic has caused on sustainable apparel over the next 12 months. They
recently surveyed sustainability decision-makers at importance of environmentally friendly products to unforeseen challenges for brands, retailers and attribute the most common drivers for this increased
consumers alike – but this research reaffirms the spending to a need for people to get back to normal
commitment to a continued focus on sustainability,” (62%) and that some consumers will have saved
April/May 2021 April/May 2021

money during the pandemic (67%).

As work continues towards delivering more sustainable options to meet growing consumer demand, findings
show two thirds (65%) of brands and retailers agree that data is important to their future sustainability goals.
The Trust Protocol will provide brands and retailers the critical assurances they need to show the cotton fiber
element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk.

The Trust Protocol is a system for more responsibly grown cotton that has committed to six areas of
sustainability in line with the U.N. Sustainability Development Goals. It underpins and verifies sustainability
progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification, enabling members to
better track the cotton entering their supply chain. Members also will have access to aggregate year-over-year
data on water use, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, soil carbon and land use efficiency.

The Trust Protocol is included on the Textile Exchange’s list of 36 preferred fibers and materials that more than
170 participating brands and retailers can select from as part of Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index
program. The Trust Protocol also is working to align with existing standards in the cotton industry and is part of
the Forum for the Future Cotton 2040 and the CottonUp guide.