At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015, a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted. Working with Textile Exchange, we were able to recognise how switching our own purchases to organic cotton would help us to achieve all these SDGs.
We are proud to be a part of Textile Exchange, a global non-profit organisation dedicated to the transformation of the textile industry into a more sustainable one. As active members, we have worked closely with them for several years. Our CEO serves on the TE Europe Board, the Organic Cotton Round Table Steering Committee, the Organic Cotton Collective Impact (OCCI) and is chair of the Pan-Africa Sourcing Working Group.
To discover more about each of the Sustainable Development Goals and how we pledge to fulfil them, simply click on each of the icons below.
Organic cotton is a market-driven solution to poverty. Farmers can earn more, spend less on inputs, and reduce dependency on the commodity market.
Organic cotton is usually grown alongside and in rotation with a variety of food crops, contributing to food security.
Organic cotton farmers and their families are not exposed to the toxic chemicals used in conventional farming.
Higher financial returns result in organic cotton farming communities being able to invest in education, often through the investments of supply chain partners.
Many organic cotton farmers are women, particularly in Africa and Asia. Around 10 percent of organic farmers globally are women, and have control of their farms.
As organic cotton does not use toxic pesticides or synthetic fertilisers, it does not cause chemical contamination of local water sources.
Organic farming communities are increasingly using solar and biogas as an energy source, particularly where access to electricity is limited.
Globally, approximately 200,000 people are certified to organic standards, mostly smallholder farmers. Many more are farming to organic or agro-ecological criteria.
Organic cotton production is the basis for the new global textile infrastructure – sustainable, ethical, transparent, and verified.
In some countries, particularly on the African continent, organic production is considered pro-female. No heavy spray units to carry or risk to pregnant women or mothers.
Higher financial returns, absence of toxic chemicals (and illness), and satisfaction of working in farmer associations encourages more people to stay on the land.
Organic “life choices”, whether at the farm, the factory, in retail or in the home, promote healthy choices for all.
Organic soils sequester carbon as a key component in soil building and improved soil fertility. No dependency on synthetic fertilisers which draw heavily on fossil fuels.
By eliminating toxic and persistent pesticides, organic cotton production is a proactive contributor to clean and healthy water.
Organic cotton farms build fertile soils and biodiversity by rotating crops, minimising tillage, and planting cover crops.
Many organic cotton farming operations are cooperatives, respecting democracy, and working collaboratively to create shared value.
A fundamental element of organic cotton production is its strong commitment to global partnerships and cooperation - recognising the interdependencies at play.
Organic cotton is a market-driven solution to poverty. Farmers can earn more, spend less on inputs, and reduce dependency on the commodity market.
Organic cotton is usually grown alongside and in rotation with a variety of food crops, contributing to food security.
Organic cotton farmers and their families are not exposed to the toxic chemicals used in conventional farming.
Higher financial returns result in organic cotton farming communities being able to invest in education, often through the investments of supply chain partners.
Many organic cotton farmers are women, particularly in Africa and Asia. Around 10 percent of organic farmers globally are women, and have control of their farms.
As organic cotton does not use toxic pesticides or synthetic fertilisers, it does not cause chemical contamination of local water sources.
Organic farming communities are increasingly using solar and biogas as an energy source, particularly where access to electricity is limited.
Globally, approximately 200,000 people are certified to organic standards, mostly smallholder farmers. Many more are farming to organic or agro-ecological criteria.
Organic cotton production is the basis for the new global textile infrastructure – sustainable, ethical, transparent, and verified.
In some countries, particularly on the African continent, organic production is considered pro-female. No heavy spray units to carry or risk to pregnant women or mothers.
Higher financial returns, absence of toxic chemicals (and illness), and satisfaction of working in farmer associations encourages more people to stay on the land.
Organic “life choices”, whether at the farm, the factory, in retail or in the home, promote healthy choices for all.
Organic soils sequester carbon as a key component in soil building and improved soil fertility. No dependency on synthetic fertilisers which draw heavily on fossil fuels.
By eliminating toxic and persistent pesticides, organic cotton production is a proactive contributor to clean and healthy water..
Organic cotton farms build fertile soils and biodiversity by rotating crops, minimising tillage, and planting cover crops..
Many organic cotton farming operations are cooperatives, respecting democracy, and working collaboratively to create shared value.
A fundamental element of organic cotton production is its strong commitment to global partnerships and cooperation - recognising the interdependencies at play..
