棉花2040：在动荡时期打造有弹性的棉花产业_26页_2mb

Cotton 2040: Creating a Resilient Cotton Industry in Turbulent Times

Core Content

Cotton 2040 is a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at transforming the global cotton industry into a resilient, sustainable, and equitable system in the face of climate change. The initiative is facilitated by Forum for the Future and supported by the Laudes Foundation, with the goal of driving systemic change across the supply chain.

The initiative focuses on three interconnected workstreams designed to accelerate progress toward a sustainable cotton industry:

1. Creating sector-wide collaborative action to understand and adapt to the changing climate
2. Increasing uptake of sustainable cotton from brands and retailers
3. Scaling sustainable business models that enable a sustainable cotton industry

These workstreams are structured to address both the environmental and social challenges of cotton production and the business and market dynamics that influence its sustainability.

Main Points

1. Climate Resilience

• Why it's a priority: Climate change is already affecting cotton production, with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and land competition threatening both supply and livelihoods.
• Key deliverables:
  • Develop a climate impacts map for the global cotton sector, with a focus on India.
  • Build systemic approaches to enhance climate resilience in cotton production.
  • Create a shared understanding of climate risks across the sector.
• Co-delivery partner: ACCLIMATISE

2. Increasing Uptake of Sustainable Cotton

• Why it's a priority: Despite a rise in sustainable cotton production (from 12% in 2015/16 to 25% in 2018/19), brands and retailers are still sourcing only 5% of global cotton as sustainable.
• Key deliverables:
  • Develop a business case for investors to include sustainable cotton sourcing in ESG criteria.
  • Baseline current sourcing practices and provide capacity building support.
  • Improve and expand the CottonUP Guide, including translations and updated content.
• Co-delivery partner: Anthesis

3. Scaling Sustainable Business Models

• Why it's a priority: Current business models are not sustainable and fail to support the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, many of whom live in poverty.
• Key deliverables:
  • Identify and test sustainable business models or market mechanisms.
  • Facilitate pilot projects and routes to scale.
  • Align with other commodities and standards to create a more sustainable industry.
• Co-delivery partner: Forum for the Future

Key Information

• Cotton's Global Impact: Cotton accounts for 25% of all fibre used in the textile sector and supports the livelihoods of around 350 million people.
• Challenges: Environmental issues (water use, soil depletion), social issues (low incomes, forced and child labor), and economic instability (price volatility) are major concerns.
• Current Progress:
  • Developed the CottonUP Guide (launched in 2018).
  • Facilitated collaboration among sustainable cotton standards.
  • Worked on impact reporting alignment with the Delta Project.
• Partners: Forum for the Future, Laudes Foundation, ACCLIMATISE, Anthesis, Better Cotton Initiative, Fairtrade, Textile Exchange, and others.

Desired Outcomes

• A common understanding of climate change impacts on the cotton system.
• Increased uptake of sustainable cotton by brands and retailers.
• More viable sustainable business models being tested and scaled.
• Improved livelihoods for cotton farmers and workers.
• Better ESG reporting by investors and brands.
• Resilient supply chains and future-proofed sourcing strategies.

Getting Involved

Cotton 2040 invites organisations across the value chain to join as partners, sponsors, or collaborators. There are several ways to engage:

• Join working groups to shape strategy and drive day-to-day work.
• Contribute to specific deliverables, such as the climate impacts map or business case for investors.
• Sponsor activities or pilot projects.
• Provide in-kind support if financial contributions are not possible.

Contact Information

• Charlene Collison (Associate Director – Sustainable Value Chains & Livelihoods): c.collison@forumforthefuture.org
• Elizabeth Rich (for brand involvement): e.rich@forumforthefuture.org

Conclusion

Cotton 2040 represents a collaborative, systemic, and forward-thinking approach to addressing the sustainability and resilience challenges in the global cotton industry. By working together across sectors and regions, it aims to mainstream sustainable practices, secure future supply, and improve livelihoods. The initiative is designed to be action-oriented, with clear deliverables and a focus on transformative change.