New study marks ‘turning point’ for organic cotton, says TE
26/11/2014
The study is based on data from producer groups located in the top five countries of organic cotton cultivation; India, China, Turkey, Tanzania and the US which make up 97% of global production. The LCA investigated the impact of organic cotton cultivation in the categories of climate change/global warming potential, soil erosion and soil acidification, water use and consumption and energy demand.
It claims the most significant findings when comparing organic cotton to conventional are:
• 46% reduced global warming potential
• 70% less acidification potential
• 26% reduced eutrophication potential (soil erosion)
• 91% reduced blue water – includes freshwater but excludes rainwater - consumption
• 62% reduced primary energy demand.
“The release of the Organic Cotton LCA marks a turning point for the organic cotton sector as a whole,” said La Rhea Pepper, managing director of Textile Exchange.
“For 12 years, we have been promoting the benefits of organic cotton. This study allows us to show the quantitative data that supports what we already know – that organic cotton is much better for our environment than conventional cotton. This information is empowering for the people and organizations along the organic cotton supply chain, including farmers, cotton ginners, spinners, brands and retailers and all the way to the consumer level.”
The Organic Cotton LCA was funded by 14 Textile Exchange member organisations including C&A Foundation, EILEEN FISHER, Esquel, GOTS, H&M, ICEA, Inditex, Kering, MEC, Nike, Otto Group, PrAna, Pratibha Syntex and Tchibo.
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