New Research Focuses on Cultivating Sustainability in South Asia’s Cotton Sector

Adopting voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can address longstanding issues in South Asia’s cotton sector, according to a new study from the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

“Complying with organic, Fairtrade, Better Cotton, and other standards can reduce agrochemical and water use and raise incomes for cotton farmers and textile workers,” said Vivek Voora, senior associate with IISD’s State of Sustainability Initiative project.

Researchers came to this conclusion after examining VSS criteria against important sustainability challenges in the cotton sectors of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. These nations produce 30% of the global supply of cotton lint and host many textile operations.

“South Asia produces 1.6 million tonnes of VSS-compliant cotton per year. But our research shows that there is potential to more than triple that number, bringing far-reaching benefits to the region,” said Voora.

The report also examines how VSSs interact with the policy landscape, including national and regional policies and agreements, in one of the world’s least economically integrated regions.

“Cotton VSSs transcend borders in South Asia, and they have the potential to be a foundation for regional coordination, cooperation, and trade” said Florencia Sarmiento, policy analyst with IISD. “National and regional policies, trade agreements, and VSSs operate in silos, but there is room for integration to promote sustainability in the cotton sector.”

The report includes a number of recommendations for policy-makers and VSS bodies on how to take action to support regional and national policies, address key sustainability challenges in the cotton sector, and boost intraregional cooperation and trade.