Key Pillars
The program has three main pillars:
- Quantifiable, verifiable goals and measurement in key sustainability metrics for brands and retailers
- Article-level supply chain transparency for all members
- Continuous improvement is central to U.S. cotton production
Quantifiable, Verifiable Goals and Measurement
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol provides farm level data proven via Field to Market, measured by the Fieldprint Calculator, and third-party verified. Data collection and verification contains multiple stages but begins with the grower who voluntarily provides information on their sustainable production practices.
The data reported in 2022/23 was received from growers in 17 states. In 2022/23, the Trust Protocol enrolled 1.7 million acres, representing 23% of the U.S. cotton crop. Findings from 2022/23 Trust Protocol grower members’ aggregate data showed improvements against the 2015 representative group in land use, water use efficiency, energy use, GHG emissions, soil carbon, and soil conservation as well as an increase in yield.
Article-Level Supply Chain Transparency
The Trust Protocol is the world’s first sustainable cotton fiber to offer its members article-level supply chain transparency via the Protocol Platform and the TextileGenesis Platform.
The Protocol Consumption Management Solution (PCMS) is used to track and verify the movement of U.S. Cotton and Protocol Cotton from farms to the final product.
The PCMS creates a transparency map that provides the authenticated origin of U.S. cotton, along with the names and locations of the Trust Protocol mill and manufacturer members that were involved in all parts of the production process, into the finished products that are shipped to the brand or retailer, which may assist customs clearance.
Continuous Improvement
Over the past 35 years, U.S. cotton production has used 79% less water and 54% less energy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, all while reducing land use by 49%. The adoption of practices such as minimal tillage, GPS and sensor-driven precision agriculture, and the growing of winter cover crops have further improved soil health, reducing loss and erosion by 37% per acre and increasing soil carbon levels. The program is aligned with the U.S. 2025 National Goals for Continuous Improvement and understands that a focus on innovation and technology has enabled the use of techniques such as precision agriculture, cover crops and conservation tillage to reduce environmental impact. The Trust Protocol also upholds several principles for best management practices in common with those found in regenerative systems.
