SUSTAINABLE COTTON
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
By IFAB MEDIA - NEWS BUREAU - June 27, 2023 | 28 4 minutes read
The annual Better Cotton conference attracted more than 350 industry stakeholders from 38 countries around the world and explored four key themes: Climate Action, Sustainable Livelihoods, Data & Traceability, and Regenerative Agriculture.
The in-person and online event, held June 21-22 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, concluded after bringing together more than 350 industry players from 38 countries.
Alan McClay, CEO of Better Cotton, said: “This year’s conference was a resounding success. We heard from experts across all fashion supply chains, from the valued cotton growers in our network to the brands and retailers who source the products. Discussions reiterated the urgent action needed to tackle the worst effects of the climate crisis, but there was also a clear consensus around the need for deep impact at the farm level. With a regenerative approach and this group of changemakers, we can push for social and environmental transformation."
The opening day included a meeting of members which gave an overview of Better Cotton’s forthcoming impact report in India.
Keynote speeches by Nisha Onta, Regional Coordinator for Asia at WOCAN, and Antonie Fountain, CEO of Voice Network, set the stage for discussions on climate action and sustainable livelihoods.
The sessions highlighted the impact of climate change on cotton farming communities and explored collaborative solutions. Breakout sessions explored the potential of localized data and carbon finance projects to drive farm-level improvements.