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U.S. Cotton

Trust Protocol

has tracked

over 3 million

kilograms of

cotton

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

January/February 2023 January/February 2023