On December 10, the fifth Member Congress of the China Cotton Association was held in Beijing, during which the "Product carbon footprint product category Rules leather cotton" group standard (T/COTCHN 004-2024) was officially released, which is the first product carbon footprint standard in the cotton industry.
The standard is an important part of the China Sustainable Cotton Standard system promoted by the China Cotton Association, which aims to encourage producers to adopt more scientific and environmentally friendly planting techniques and management measures, optimize production processes, and reduce resource consumption and emissions. At the same time, through the carbon footprint evaluation, the low carbon and environmental protection characteristics of natural fibers are displayed, and the added value of products and market competitiveness are improved.
Wang Jianhong, president of the China Cotton Association, said that in recent years, China's cotton industry has adhered to the innovation-driven development strategy, constantly optimized the industrial structure, improved the scientific and technological support capacity, and began to shift from focusing on quantity growth to improving quality and efficiency. With the adjustment and change of the international division of labor system, the textile and its upstream and downstream industries are facing environmental compliance and green transformation pressure, as an important raw material of textile, the cotton industry urgently needs to speed up the transformation, while conveying products, but also the downstream required value.
Wang Jianhong introduced that in 2021, the China Cotton Association jointly launched the "China Cotton Sustainable Development Project" (CCSD) with the China Textile Import and Export Chamber of Commerce, the China Cotton Textile Industry Association, the China Home Textile Industry Association, and the China Clothing Association, advocating the sustainable concept of "environmental friendliness, good quality, respect for labor, and traceability". Since the project was launched, it has received the attention of government departments and the support of many parties inside and outside the industry, and has made good progress: the initial construction of sustainable cotton standards and certification system, the establishment of traceability information platform, the absorption of more than 30 well-known enterprises as members, the strengthening of media cooperation and exhibition publicity, and the continuous expansion of the influence of Chinese cotton brands. In May 2024, the association jointly established a cotton "double carbon" working group with relevant units and enterprises, hoping to build a cotton "double carbon" standard system, build a high-quality cotton carbon footprint background database, relevant standards and product identifications are recognized by domestic and foreign enterprises and consumers, and promote the green and low-carbon transformation of the industry.
Wang Jianhong said that the next step is to unite more forces, take the project as the starting point, guide the relevant parties in addition to the economic value, pay more attention to and affirm the ecological value and social value of cotton, and promote the production and consumption of cotton by advocating a natural, comfortable and environmentally friendly lifestyle and concept. At the same time, we also hope to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with international peers in terms of standards and brands, learn advanced experience, and let the world see the practice and achievements of sustainable development of China's cotton industry.
(Information source: China Cotton Association)