US Cotton Trust Protocol reports record growth and environmental wins

US Cotton Trust Protocol has announced significant progress in its 2023-24 annual report. Despite economic challenges, the program saw 31 per cent increase in enrolled acreage, reaching 2.1 million acres. Growers achieved impressive environmental gains, reducing water use by 14 per cent, energy use by 27 per cent, greenhouse gas emissions by 21 per cent, and soil loss by 79 per cent.

To further its sustainability goals, the Trust Protocol expanded its board and joined the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network. Regenerative agriculture practices, such as no-till and cover cropping, were widely adopted by growers. The program's Climate Smart Cotton initiative also saw growth, with 1,427 farming entities enrolled.

The Trust Protocol's traceability platform, PCMS, tracked 1.2k shipments of cotton fiber, enabling brands and retailers to trace the supply chain. To simplify membership, the program introduced a new consumption-based model, effective in 2025. Overall, the 2023-24 period was a year of growth and achievement for the US Cotton Trust Protocol, demonstrating the commitment of US cotton growers to sustainable practices.