The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has launched a new carbon footprint application designed to help farmers, researchers, and policymakers assess the net greenhouse gas emissions associated with cotton cultivation. The free tool, available as a web platform and a mobile app in English and French, reflects the growing pressure on the cotton industry to provide transparent, verifiable data on sustainability performance and to align with international climate goals.
The application allows users to input highly detailed data on agricultural practices, covering more than 30 tillage operations, over 10 planting techniques, 14 harvesting approaches, soil and seed choices, irrigation using electricity or diesel, more than 30 fertilizers, 16 composts and manures, and over 550 pesticide molecules with 4,400 commercial formulations. It accounts not only for emissions at farm and household levels but also for the carbon sequestration potential of practices such as crop residue management, biochar production, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and other regenerative agriculture techniques. Data can be aggregated at scales ranging from individual farms to villages and districts, allowing progress to be tracked against net-zero commitments.
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ICAC chief scientist and application developer Dr. Keshav Kranthi said the tool offers a science-based approach to reducing emissions and enhancing carbon capture in cotton farming. By standardising carbon accounting across regions, it could also strengthen supply chain reporting and provide evidence to policymakers and brands seeking to reduce environmental impacts. For cotton-producing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the app may help demonstrate progress toward sustainability and potentially improve access to premium or low-carbon markets.
The tool arrives at a time when the textile industry faces mounting pressure from regulators, brands, and consumers to account for emissions across the value chain. Initiatives such as Better Cotton and other sustainability programmes have already been developing emissions methodologies, but ICAC’s contribution is one of the most comprehensive and sector-specific efforts so far. Its inclusion of regenerative agriculture options aligns with rising interest in soil carbon and nature-based solutions as part of carbon offsetting strategies.
However, challenges remain. The accuracy of results will depend heavily on the quality of data entered. Smallholder farmers, who make up much of the cotton sector, may lack access to precise information on inputs or the technical capacity to use the tool effectively. Training and outreach will be essential to ensure adoption and correct use. Verification is another concern. While the app could feed into carbon credit schemes or supply chain audits, confidence in its methodology and transparency of assumptions will be critical to avoid accusations of greenwashing.
Economic barriers could also limit uptake. Even when farmers know which practices reduce emissions, costs linked to new equipment or inputs may outweigh the immediate benefits unless there are clear financial incentives, such as subsidies, buyer premiums, or access to carbon markets. Regulatory acceptance is another open question. The tool will need to be aligned with international standards and frameworks to be recognised in trade, certification, or climate reporting.
Despite these uncertainties, the ICAC Carbon Footprint Application represents a significant step forward in equipping the global cotton sector with practical tools for decarbonisation. Its success will depend on integration into broader sustainability systems, adequate training for users, and economic mechanisms that reward climate-smart practices. If these conditions are met, it could become a valuable enabler of transparency and a driver of change in one of the world’s most resource-intensive agricultural industries.
Very useful addition for better Cotton..