US Cotton Trust introduces new membership plan for sourcing reform

Desk Report 19 hours agoLast Updated: October 5, 2024

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The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has announced a new membership fee structure for brands and retailers, effective in 2025. The revamped model, based on cotton consumption rather than revenue, is designed to increase accessibility and participation for businesses of all sizes committed to responsible cotton sourcing.

Daren Abney, Executive Director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, emphasized the importance of the changes: “Our goal is to deliver more value to cotton growers who are achieving verified environmental impact, ensuring that we offer a fully traceable cotton fiber in the supply chain.”

Key Updates in Membership Structure:

Brand Membership Fees: Annual fees will now be determined by total cotton consumption, ensuring that the program is accessible and equitable across the industry.
Volume-Based Fee Adjustments: Companies sourcing larger volumes of cotton will benefit from tiered pricing and discounts, encouraging greater commitment to responsible sourcing.
New Supporting Member Category: A new membership category has been introduced for organizations outside the traditional textile supply chain that wish to support the Trust Protocol’s sustainability mission.

Member Benefits:

Members of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will continue to receive significant advantages, including:

Traceability: The Protocol Consumption Management Solution (PCMS) enables members to track cotton grown on Protocol producers’ farms, offering full visibility and validation of cotton origin at every stage of the supply chain.
Environmental Data: Brands and retailers gain access to verifiable environmental data on sustainably grown cotton, aligning with science-based goals for continuous environmental improvement.

About the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a voluntary sustainability program for U.S. cotton growers and a traceability platform for U.S. cotton. It is the only system offering quantifiable and verifiable measurements across six key sustainability metrics, including land use, water management, soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. The Protocol also leads the U.S. Climate Smart Cotton Program, a five-year initiative focused on enhancing cotton growers’ environmental stewardship and long-term profitability.

This updated structure reinforces the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol’s role in fostering transparency and sustainability within the global textile supply chain, benefiting growers, brands, and retailers alike.