The US cotton industry will build upon the strong environmental gains already achieved over the past 30 years.

The industry will be the supplier of choice for those who are committed to only buying cotton that is produced with sustainable and responsible environmental, safety and labor practices. It aims to reduce by 13 per cent the amount of land needed to produce a pound of cotton fiber and reducing soil loss by 50 per cent; increase water use efficiency by 18 per cent; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 39 per cent; increase soil carbon in fields by 30 per cent and reduce energy to produce seed cotton and ginned lint by 15 per cent.

Goals will be developed for measurable continual improvements in environmental stewardship, farm productivity, and resource efficiency such as land, water, air, input, and energy use.

US cotton growers have achieved significant environmental gains over the past three decades. Scientists have worked diligently to develop and refine US cotton’s sustainability initiatives. The United States may be the only country in the world with these kinds of specific, measurable, quantified goals.

The US cotton industry is using science-based metrics and benchmarks to assess environmental impacts and identify opportunities for improvement.