These initiatives offer producers a platform to showcase their dedication to sustainable cultivation of cotton, aligning with the growing market preference for ethically sourced materials.
The US Cotton Trust Protocol, aiming to establish a new benchmark for sustainable cotton production, enrolled 6% of the total cotton grown in the country during the 2020/2021 season.
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The US Cotton Trust Protocol plans to expand this participation to 50% by 2025.
Fashion brands Levi’s, Next, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Dockers and Old Navy are among the list of fashion brands already on board.
The Trust Protocol equips farmers with comprehensive data and tools necessary to tailor their practices to both environmental and business objectives. By monitoring critical indicators such as water and land usage, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, cultivators can gain a deeper understanding of their operations’ ecological impact.
With this knowledge, cotton growers are better positioned to refine their methods, thereby contributing to the industry’s overall move towards sustainability.
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By GlobalDataThe Climate Smart Cotton Program, managed by the Trust Protocol, further incentivises this transition by offering financial assistance across three tiers:
- Tier 1 involves membership in the US Cotton Trust Protocol, rewarding up to $5 per acre for a maximum of 706 acres for enlisting in the Trust Protocol, registering bales on its platform, and evaluating potential climate-smart agricultural practices.
- Tier 2 provides a financial incentive of up to $45 per acre for a span of three years when growers implement a new Climate Smart Agriculture practice such as cover cropping or advanced nutrient management strategies.
- Tier 3 introduces a Carbon Inset Payment scheme that compensates growers for verifiable emission reductions resulting from their sustainable farming practices.
Trust Protocol executive director Daren Abney said: “We’ve seen grower membership increase each year since the programme’s launch and are looking forward to welcoming growers and providing them with valuable resources in 2025. These programmes provide a clear pathway for growers to meet the increasing demand for sustainably produced cotton, enhancing profitability and strengthening growers’ position in the global marketplace.”
To facilitate the enrolment process, grower enrolment specialists are on hand to offer tailored support specific to regional needs. They assist in navigating the intricacies of both the Trust Protocol and the Climate Smart Cotton Program.
The US Cotton Trust Protocol serves as a voluntary sustainability framework and traceability platform for US cotton producers. It aims to deliver measurable and verifiable targets in responsible cotton production, fostering continuous improvement across six fundamental sustainability metrics: land use efficiency, soil conservation, water management, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, and fibre quality assurance.
By leveraging robust data collection mechanisms and independent third-party verification processes, the Trust Protocol substantiates and validates the sustainability advancements made within the US cotton industry.
By 2025, the US Cotton Trust Protocol aimed to achieve several environmental goals, including an 18% reduction in water usage, a 39% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, and a 50% reduction in soil loss. Additionally, it seeks to improve land use efficiency by 13%, increase soil carbon by 30%, and lower energy consumption by 15%.
