The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a farm level, science-based program developed as a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton, is officially a year old. And it’s been a busy and productive year.

The Trust Protocol brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to sustainable cotton production and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics – land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions. and energy efficiency.

In its first year, the Trust Protocol welcomed more than 465 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members and secured 950,000 bales of cotton into the system. The initiative also launched the Protocol Consumption Management Solution (PCMS) which enables the Trust Protocol to offer unrivalled transparency and visibility of cotton through the supply chain, backed by a high level of independently verified grower data. The PCMS uses the combined power of the Protocol Platform and TextileGenesis to provide members the world’s first sustainable cotton fiber to offer article-level transparency across the supply chain.

“The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol was created to set a new standard in more sustainable cotton, and we are proud of the significant achievements made in the program’s first year,” said Dr. Gary Adams, President of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Our goals are rooted in the idea that U.S. cotton production can contribute to the protection and preservation of the planet by using sustainable and responsible growing techniques.

“Today, the Trust Protocol is the world’s first sustainable cotton fiber to offer article-level transparency and visibility of cotton throughout the supply chain, backed by an unparalleled level of verified data from our growers. We look forward to building upon these successes in years to come.”

Brand, retailer, mill, and manufacturer members include Levi Strauss & Co.; PVH Corp and its brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger; Gap Inc. and its collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta; as well as global apparel manufacturer Gildan. The Trust Protocol also welcomed UK retailers Tesca, Byford and Next Plc.

Other Trust Protocol member announcements during its first year included the first 10 U.S. member mills to join and the first mill and manufacturing members in Latin America..

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040, and CottonUP initiatives.

More information about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is available online.

Based on information provided by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol