Cotton Inc. has released the Cotton & Sustainability Guide, a 120-page resource aimed at helping stakeholders in the fashion and textile industries understand the relationship between cotton production and sustainability.
Cotton Inc. has introduced the Cotton & Sustainability Guide, a comprehensive resource designed to assist stakeholders in the fashion and textile industries in navigating the complex relationship between cotton production and sustainability. Published in collaboration with MCL News & Media, which publishes both Ecotextile News and Knitting Trade Journal, the guide consists of 120 pages and is available for free download. Hard copies can also be obtained at trade fairs around the world, specifically at the Cotton Inc. and MCL News & Media booths.
The guide has been meticulously researched and authored by Simon Ferrigno, a cotton expert from Ecotextile News, with editorial oversight from John Mowbray, the publication’s editor. An introduction to the guide is provided by Jesse Daystar, chief sustainability officer at Cotton Inc. The publication aims to clarify the various cotton standards by outlining their main features, historical context, and objectives to better equip industry professionals with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions amidst the diverse range of available programs and standards.
In the guide, Ferrigno addresses critical factors that influence the cotton sustainability sector, including traceability, verification, and assurance processes. He also discusses the legal criteria that underpin the sustainability of cotton as well as promoter-led schemes and relevant projects. Ferrigno notes, “All cotton standards and programmes use the same toolboxes to develop their unique criteria, and all make trade-offs and compromises as they do, depending on their end goals and final targets.” He emphasizes the common objective of reducing the negative environmental impacts associated with cotton while improving specific aspects of production.
The guide also provides foundational knowledge on sustainable cotton, delving into agricultural theories and clarifying definitions of terms such as “regenerative,” which may carry varying meanings but builds upon earlier concepts like agroecology. Additionally, Ferrigno addresses the complexities of tracing products through supply chains, verifying claims, and measuring outcomes while emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance in sustainable agricultural practices.
Daystar remarked on the guide’s value by stating, “In a field as complex as sustainability, where differing and sometimes biased opinions abound, The Cotton & Sustainability Guide offers a balanced perspective. It cuts through the noise to provide reliable insights and a clear representation of various cotton programmes.” In doing so, the guide also highlights crucial agricultural methodologies, including agroecology and regenerative agricultural techniques, while tackling supply chain obstacles relating to traceability and data reporting.
The Cotton & Sustainability Guide is poised to be an essential resource for anyone involved in the cotton supply chain, offering clear, unbiased information to aid in the pursuit of sustainability within the industry. To download the guide, interested parties may refer to the Cotton Inc. resources.
Source: Noah Wire Services
