- Farm-level data reporting shows significant improvements in sustainability metrics.
- Solid increase in membership, with the number of mills and manufacturers increasing by 50%, doubling of acres enrolled; brand-and-retailer members grow to 40
- Nine supply-chain-tracking pilots have been completed, and 15 more are planned.
- The program secures international recognition
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has published its second annual report detailing the results for the 2021-22 period (August 1st, 2021-July 31st, 2022). The farm-level, science-based sustainability program today reports significant improvements in the sustainability metrics measured; an increase in membership across the value chain; the completion of nine successful pilots; and its growing international recognition by independent and government bodies.
Growing Sustainable Results
In the 2021-22 period, the Trust Protocol was able to provide farm-level data reporting showing significant improvements with grower members having demonstrated tangible results across six key metrics. Using peer-to-peer data sharing and aggregated sustainability data provided by the Trust Protocol, its 2021-22 grower members have recorded:
- a 13% increase in land use efficiency and a 14% increase in water use efficiency;
- a 25% reduction in energy use;
- a 21% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;
- a 78% reduction in soil loss, and
- positive Soil Conservation Index for 70% of growers.
Membership Growth across the Value Chain
Membership across the program has grown solidly both domestically in the U.S. and internationally.
Enrolled areas of U.S. cotton production have doubled since the program’s pilot year to 1.1 million acres (445k ha).
- All 17 U.S. cotton-producing states are now represented
Mill-and-manufacturer membership has increased significantly
- counts 820 companies from 30 countries
- An increase of >50% in the past year
The total number of brand-and-retail members has grown to 40
- Members include global brand and retailer giants such as Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, Tesco, Levi Strauss & Co., GAP, and Old Navy.
Scaling Solutions
The Trust Protocol has been piloting, testing, and scaling the technology solutions that record and track the movement of U.S. Cotton and Protocol Cotton through brand and retailer member’s supply chains to their finished products. This allows for monitoring cotton through complex supply chains in a way that was impossible at scale.
Nine completed pilots involving global brands and retailers with nearly 150 mills
A further 15 pilots are confirmed to be initiated, with 125 additional mills.
International Recognition
In 2022 the Trust Protocol received international recognition from two major evaluation bodies.
In May 2022, the Trust Protocol was approved by Siegelklarheit
- An initiative of the German federal government Siegelklarheit (‘seal clarity’) is a transparent, independent, and comprehensive evaluation system that informs consumers about credible seals to allow them to make more sustainable purchasing decisions.
The Trust Protocol was accepted as an ISEAL Community Member in June 2022
- ISEAL Community Membership comes just 18 months after the program’s launch, following a rigorous and meticulous approval process.
- ISEAL supports ambitious sustainability systems and their partners to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges by, among other things, defining reasonable practices for sustainability systems based on emerging global consensus.
Commenting on the results, Dr. Gary Adams, President of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, said:
“These results are excellent, and even more so given the past year’s challenges– from increased scrutiny brought by the changing regulatory landscape to U.S. cotton growers faced with rising production costs and weather extremes. The past year has been one of perseverance, dedication, and commitment. That has meant focusing on foundational growth and making thoughtful, innovative decisions.
To continue this growth and ensure the program’s success, we need to maintain our unwavering commitment to and support our growers as they work towards continuously improving against our six core environmental metrics. Maintaining a focus on innovation and implementing the latest technologies will also be a vital tool in helping them strengthen our future ecological footprint.”
Adams continued: The results speak for themselves: in the impressive progress made by our growers on crucial sustainability metrics; and in how positively the supply chain has responded, demonstrated by the increase in the number of growers, mills, manufacturers, brands, and retailers who are active members of the program.
As we continue to increase the number of growers participating in the Trust Protocol, we also expect that future environmental performance against our targets may change. Ultimately, having the most significant impact requires broad participation and the best environmental performance. We strive for both, but we also want to be transparent about our expectations for the future with our partners as we grow.”
