Background

OCA, a leading organic cotton farming organisation, partnered with South Pole, a climate solutions provider, to conduct an in-depth analysis of the environmental impact of organic cotton. The research drew on verified data from over 18,000 farmers across three growth periods, spanning from 2020 to 2023. This comprehensive study aims to develop environmental profiles for raw cotton derived from seed cotton grown by OCA farmers in India.

Methodology

The study involved a detailed examination of the variations in irrigation and farming methods across 15 specific supply regions within India. The research covered five Indian states, namely Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, and Telangana. The analysis aimed to identify distinct environmental profiles across these regions, spanning three separate growth cycles.

The Study’s Findings

The study’s findings suggest that organic cotton farming has a smaller environmental footprint in several impact categories, including climate change potential, water consumption, acidification, and eutrophication. Specifically, the research showed:
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• Emissions directly from fields are a significant contributor to climate change effects, acidification, and eutrophication, accounting for between 45% to 99% (averaging at 88%) of the impact across most categories.
• The use of fertilisers – both synthetic and natural – is a determining factor in the environmental impact of cotton production.
• Water use impacts differ greatly depending on irrigation practices, with rain-fed systems showing the least impact.

Recommendations

To lessen the environmental footprint of cotton production, the study recommends a mix of strategies. Promoting organic cotton cultivation is crucial, as it reduces reliance on synthetic inputs and aligns with sustainable farming practices. Additionally, adopting less impactful irrigation techniques and enhancing fertiliser management can substantially reduce cotton farming’s environmental footprint. The study also highlights the importance of enhancing LCA data quality and consistency for sustainability initiatives to be effective and measurable. This includes refining secondary data for irrigation through partnerships with local bodies to improve water footprint assessments. Periodic updates to LCA studies are necessary for tracking advancements and evaluating intervention impacts over time.

Future Directions

OCA plans to conduct additional regional LCAs to more accurately assess organic cotton’s contribution towards addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and social issues. Brands affiliated with OCA gain access to tailored LCA insight dashboards that enable them to monitor progress, shape sourcing decisions, and drive tangible results. The regional LCA underscores the need for collaborative efforts within the industry to scale up sustainability measures. The organisation also invites textile brands, NGOs, policymakers, and suppliers to leverage these findings in fostering sustainable practices and policies.

“OCA’s first regional LCA doesn’t only provide unique local insights into the environmental benefits of organic cotton for our sector, it also helps us identify how to deepen the impact of our work and improve OCA’s own data systems so we can deliver increasingly accurate LCAs in the future – showcasing the positive impact delivered by the fantastic work of the farmers in our programme.” Bart Vollaard, OCA Executive Director

Conclusion
The study’s findings suggest that organic cotton farming has a smaller environmental footprint in several impact categories. The research highlights the importance of promoting organic cotton cultivation, adopting less impactful irrigation techniques, and enhancing fertiliser management to lessen the environmental footprint of cotton production.