The US Cotton Trust Protocol has released its first annual report titled ‘Setting a New Standard in Sustainability,’ revealing how it brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurements to responsibly-grown cotton production. The organization wants to set a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton by supporting those across the apparel supply chain. The US Cotton Trust Protocol, voluntary for US cotton producers, reports on six key sustainability metrics from the farm level to deliver against science-based targets and improve performance.
In its first year, the US Cotton Trust Protocol welcomed 37 global brands and retailers, with a goal of 100 global brands and retailers by the end of 2022. The US cotton industry is one of the most high-tech industries, as growers continue to evolve sustainability practices. Over the past 35 years, US cotton growers have reduced soil loss by 37%, used 79% less water and 54% less energy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, and land use by 49%, all while increasing yield by approximately 42%.
In the introduction to the report, Dr Gary Adams, US Cotton Trust Protocol president, said: “The US Cotton Trust Protocol (Trust Protocol) has made significant strides in its first year. We have established a new system for sustainably grown cotton from scratch. One that now counts 560 organizations across the supply chain as members.”
Future aims- According to the report, US Cotton Trust Protocol aims that by 2025, the organization also wants to reduce water use by 18%, greenhouse gas emissions by 39%, soil loss by 50%, and increase land-use efficiency by 13% and soil carbon by 30%, while decreasing energy use by 15%. The report explains the theory of change and outlines the organization’s mission to bring quantifiable and verifiable goals to its six key US cotton production sustainability metrics. The EU has set targets for reducing net emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. These goals are no longer aspirational but obligations laid down in the first European Climate Law, guided by the ambition of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
To view the full report in PDF format, please click here.
