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Home > Articles > New U.S. Cotton Study Uses Real-World Grower Data to Reveal Where Fiber Impacts Occur

New U.S. Cotton Study Uses Real-World Grower Data to Reveal Where Fiber Impacts Occur

May 18, 2026

An independently reviewed, ISO-compliant life cycle assessment drawing

on primary data from 753 growers across 17 states.

CARY, N.C., [May 18, 2026] —Cotton Incorporated has released a critically reviewed life cycle assessment (LCA) of U.S. cotton fiber production that examines how cotton’s environmental impacts are measured and where meaningful improvements can be made across the value chain. The new data, grounded in real‑world grower inputs, measures what drives U.S. cotton’s environmental footprint from field to gin.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compliant study, critically reviewed by an independent three-person expert panel, evaluates environmental impacts at the cradle-to-gate stage. Based on primary data from growers, the study offers new clarity into the key impact drivers including fertilizer production, on-farm emissions and irrigation, and highlights how methodological choices influence how results are interpreted.

“U.S. cotton growers have invested decades in improving their environmental performance, and this study puts real numbers behind that progress,” said Jesse Daystar, Ph.D., vice president and chief sustainability officer at Cotton Incorporated. “With 753 growers contributing primary data across 17 states, this is one of the most transparent assessments of any fiber available today. As brands face growing pressure to back their sustainability claims with credible science, this LCA gives them exactly that: a clear, independently reviewed baseline for U.S. cotton that can inform sourcing decisions, regulatory compliance and tracking meaningful improvement over time.”

Key findings include:

  • Carbon and emissions: The study reports that the cradle-to-gate production of 1 kg of U.S. cotton fiber generates 1.45 kg of fossil CO2 equivalent emissions. When accounting for biogenic carbon flows, including carbon stored in soil and temporarily in the fiber, the modeled-net result at this production stage is -0.264 kg CO2e per kilogram of fiber. These results are presented within the defined system boundary and reflect how carbon is accounted for within the study.
  • Where impacts occur: Fertilizer production and field emissions were identified as the primary drivers of environmental impact across most categories, while irrigation was the dominant factor in water-related impacts. These inputs are applied as needed based on growing conditions, and the insights provide a clearer understanding of where interventions can most effectively reduce cotton’s footprint.
  • A broader environmental view: In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, the study evaluates a range of environmental indicators, including water use and scarcity, energy demand, air quality and nutrient-related impacts, offering a more complete picture of cotton’s environmental profile.
  • Baseline for improvement: The LCA establishes a robust, science-based baseline to support ongoing research and continuous improvement across the cotton industry, particularly in areas such as precision agriculture, irrigation efficiency, soil health and fertilizer innovation.
  • Methodology matters: Sensitivity analysis showed impacts could vary by more than 50% depending on how results are calculated, including differences in allocation methods and background datasets, underscoring the importance of transparency and consistency in interpreting sustainability data.

The LCA provides brands and other stakeholders with updated science-based data that can inform sustainability reporting, fiber sourcing decisions and broader efforts to assess cotton within material strategies. The findings offer a foundation for evaluating cotton’s environmental profile and identifying where future progress may be made.

The full LCA report and executive summary are available at CottonWorks.com/LCA.

About Cotton Incorporated 

Cotton Incorporated is a research and promotion company for upland cotton. Funded by U.S. cotton growers and importers of Upland cotton-containing products, the not-for-profit organization’s mission is to increase the demand for and profitability of cotton. As a resource for the cotton industry, Cotton Incorporated conducts or oversees more than 450 research and educational projects in an average year.

For more information or to learn more, follow along on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X or visit www.cottoninc.com.