US Cotton Trust Protocol reports “measurable” environmental gains in 2025

The US Cotton Trust Protocol, the voluntary sustainability programme for US cotton growers and the traceability platform for all US Cotton, has released its 2024/25 annual sustainability report, which reveals that more than 1,500 grower members have achieved “meaningful gains” across all six of its sustainability metrics against a 2015 baseline.

This year, the report marks five years of field-level data. It shows that Trust Protocol growers have met or exceeded five of the six ambitious national continuous improvement targets set as part of its commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible sourcing.

This includes a 15 percent reduction in land use needed to grow one pound of cotton, meeting the 2025 goal a year early, with Protocol growers producing 20 percent more cotton per acre than the US average, and an 87 percent improvement in water use efficiency, meaning that growers have produced the same amount of cotton with 47 percent less irrigation water despite droughts, exceeding the 2025 goal.

There has also been an 89 percent reduction in soil loss, preserving vital topsoil, bringing erosion levels well below USDA thresholds, and a “meaningful achievement” in soil health, with growers on 71 percent of acres now actively building healthier soils that store carbon, meeting the 2025 goal.

With regards to energy consumption, the report states a 28 percent reduction in energy footprint, contributing to lower Scope 3 emissions for downstream partners, and a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, achieved through optimised nitrogen use efficiency and precision irrigation technologies.

Dr Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, said in a statement: “This year’s annual report unequivocally demonstrates that sustainable practices deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, resilience, and environmental outcomes that can directly impact the supply chain.

“This report is a testament to the dedication of our growers, whose commitment has resulted in tangible environmental gains, meeting or exceeding five of the six 2025 goals. It proves that sustainable practices can deliver measurable impact at scale, providing brands with credible data to back their sustainability claims.”

US Cotton Trust Protocol growers exceed sustainability goals, including water use, soil loss and land-use efficiency

The report also reveals “exponential growth” in The Trust Protocol’s advanced traceability solution, which provides article-level information to brands and retailers, and a 413 percent year-over-year increase in Protocol Cotton Claim Unit (PCCU) uptake, with 20 brands tracking 126,000 tons of fibre last season, translating to 690 million finished products.

There has also been record-breaking grower enrolment for the sixth consecutive year, with the programming recording growth despite challenging climate conditions, with grower membership increasing 14 percent to 1,512 and enrolled planted acreage surging 18 percent to 2.58 million acres.

The report also confirms a continued uptake in regenerative agricultural practices, with 63 percent of growers planting cover crops and 57 percent of acres under no-till or conservation tillage. Practices that are vital for enhancing soil health, actively sequestering carbon, thereby offering a critical pathway for brands to support nature-positive sourcing, adds the US Cotton Trust Protocol. These practices have been further supported by the launch of a new Regenerative Cotton Pilot for the 2025 crop year.

Daren Abney, executive director of the US Cotton Trust Protocol, added: “With emerging regulations like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and growing stakeholder scrutiny, the need for verifiable, robust data has never been more important for brands and retailers.

“Our programme helps deliver that assurance. The expanded use and scale of our traceability system clearly demonstrate that the supply chain is embracing this new level of transparency. We are providing the essential tools for brands to track cotton to the finished product, enabling them to communicate their sourcing strategies with greater accuracy, confidence, and compliance.”