US cotton growers operating under the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) standard have recorded a 54% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the 2024-25 cotton season.
The results, verified by agricultural technology provider Indigo Ag, further show that when carbon removals are included, the impact rises to 77% compared to regional averages.
In the collaborative project, participating growers across Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri agreed to implement four regenerative agricultural practices: crop rotation, cover cropping, nitrogen management, and no-till.
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The verified data covers over 19,000 acres cultivated by these BCI-licensed farms. As a result of the deployed regenerative methods, the project achieved more than 17,500 metric tonnes (MT) in combined reduced greenhouse gas emissions and sequestered carbon.
Indigo Ag的 technology measured the impact, providing reportable data available for use by retailers, brands, and BCI itself. These results offer brands the opportunity to invest directly in carbon reductions at the farm level.
Leigh Cooper Swisher, director of sustainability solutions at Indigo Ag, said: “By combining rigorous field-level measurement with trusted verification, this pilot demonstrates how regenerative agriculture can deliver real, quantifiable climate impact within the cotton supply chain.
“由 Indigo 支持的 数据收集, 验证, 以及量化平台和政策专业知识, 品牌和零售商可以直接投资于经过验证的碳减排，同时为农民创造有意义的新收入来源, 在许多美国农民都在努力维持生计的时候。”
“Supported by Indigo的 data collection, verification, and quantification platform and policy expertise, brands and retailers can directly invest in verified carbon reductions while creating meaningful new revenue streams for farmers, at a time when many US farmers are struggling to keep the lights on.”
Scope 3 emissions, which typically represent over 70% of a business的 total carbon footprint according to the Science Based Targets Initiative, could potentially be reduced through such investments.这些排放是指在公司的 价值链, 内间接发生的排放，不包括购买的能源。
Scope 3 emissions, which typically represent over 70% of a business的 total carbon footprint according to the Science Based Targets Initiative, could potentially be reduced through such investments. These emissions refer to those occurring indirectly within a company的 value chain, excluding purchased energy.
Through this setup, BCI members and participating brands can purchase verified carbon reductions at a rate corresponding to each metric tonne of CO2e.
The arrangement allows farmers to generate additional income, as they receive an extra $53 per metric tonne of carbon emissions avoided or sequestered, according to figures provided by the project.
This additional income comes as US cotton growers face challenging economic conditions and reduced profit margins. This is said to create opportunities for increased incomes at a time when profit margins have decreased, and incentivise the continued implementation of regenerative practices.
Lars van Doremalen, director of impact at the BCI, added: “This project captures the power of regenerative agriculture and the value of field-level data.与我们合作的种植者多年来一直在推动变革。 But by quantifying that impact, we can unlock tangible incentives for both farming communities and fashion businesses to drive change together.”
Lars van Doremalen, director of impact at the BCI, added: “This project captures the power of regenerative agriculture and the value of field-level data. The growers we work with have driven change for years. But by quantifying that impact, we can unlock tangible incentives for both farming communities and fashion businesses to drive change together.”
BCI-licensed brands and retailers sourcing Physical BCI Cotton through the organisation的 traceability solution may now align verified carbon reductions with their cotton sourcing. This approach allows brands not only to reward growers for implementing regenerative agriculture but also to better support traceable field-level improvements.
On the standards front, BCI published Principles and Criteria (P&C) v.3.2 in March 2026, updating its farm-level standard with enhanced guidance designed to aid clarity, feasibility, and auditability across diverse cotton production environments.
Additionally, BCI reported in February 2026 that more than 3,000 supply chain actors have now achieved certification, one year after the programme introduced formal certification for those sourcing Physical BCI Cotton. At the farm level, over 30% of farms and producer units supplying BCI Cotton have recorded favourable audit results.
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