Better Cotton is the world’s leading sustainability initiative for cotton. Our mission is to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.
In just over 10 years we have become the world’s largest cotton sustainability programme. Our mission: to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.
Better Cotton is grown in 22 countries around the world and accounts for 22% of global cotton production. In the 2022-23 cotton season, 2.13 million licensed Better Cotton Farmers grew 5.47 million tonnes of Better Cotton.
Today Better Cotton has more than 2,700 members, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the industry. Members of a global community that understands the mutual benefits of sustainable cotton farming. The moment you join, you become part of this too.
The founding premise of Better Cotton is that a healthy sustainable future for cotton and the people that farm it is in the interests of everyone connected with it.
Let us help you find what you’re looking for
Results for {phrase} ({results_count} of {results_count_total})
Displaying {results_count} results of {results_count_total}
Better Cotton has launched registration for its annual conference, which is set to take place at the Swissôtel Büyük Efes Hotel in İzmir, Türkiye, from 18-19 June.
The Better Cotton Conference 2025 will bring together farmers, industry leaders, policymakers and innovators for two days of bold ideas, collaboration and action.
The cotton sector is at a turning point. From climate volatility and biodiversity loss to shifting regulations and increased supply chain scrutiny, the challenges are mounting – but as are the opportunities for meaningful change. The Better Cotton Conference is where the entire cotton ecosystem comes together to tackle these issues, challenge conventional thinking and shape a more resilient future.”
Alan McClay, CEO at Better Cotton
This year’s conference will comprise four themes:
Nurturing Equality – A Fairer Future for Farming Communities
Restoring the Environment – Turning Climate Commitments into Action
Deepening Impact with Data – Unlocking Insights for a Stronger Cotton Industry
Shaping our Future – Policy, Collaboration and Industry Evolution
The first, ‘Nurturing Equality’, will delve into the social and economic realities of cotton farming. In addition to discussions around ensuring decent work and supporting livelihoods, a session on gender will highlight how prioritising women’s empowerment is not just a social imperative, but a strategic approach to enhancing sustainability and productivity in cotton production.
The ‘Restoring the Environment’ theme will follow, with a focus on climate action for a biodiverse future. Both regenerative agriculture and climate finance will be in scope, with the latter session set to define the barriers and mechanisms that can streamline finance back to farming communities.
Day two will start with discussions around ‘Deepening Impact with Data’, as speakers debate whether traceability creates opportunities for farmers to benefit beyond compliance, before conversation turns to digitalisation and its potential to improve efficiency, sustainability and livelihoods.
The event will close with the ‘Shaping our Future’ theme, as the conference takes a step back to consider the macro level developments influencing the cotton sector’s direction of travel, from certification and sustainability claim requirements, to the emerging regulations that underpin them.
McClay added: “I’m excited to return to Türkiye after a successful 2024 outing, and welcome attendees both new and old. We’re also thrilled to have USB Certification as our headline sponsor for a second consecutive year. Their support, along with other valued sponsors, will help make this conference an impactful gathering for the industry.”
As the Headline Sponsor, USB Certification is delighted to support and participate in this conference, bringing together industry professionals to exchange insights and collaborate on sustainable practices. This event provides an excellent platform to highlight and reinforce our shared commitment with Better Cotton to improving cotton farming practices, promoting responsible sourcing, and driving positive change towards a more sustainable future for the industry.
Nesrin Serin, CEO & Founder at USB Certification
Better Cotton extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the conference’s confirmed sponsors thus far: San JFS, Source Intelligence, Kipas, the National Association of Cotton Ginners of Benin (SFP Group), and Cotton Connect.
Do you want to know what the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world is up to? Keep up to date with the latest developments and hear from BCI Farmers, Partners and Members in the new BCI Quarterly Newsletter. BCI Members also receive a Monthly Member Update.
Leave a few details below and you’ll receive the next newsletter.
These updates are intended to reflect changes to the Better Cotton Platform’s default sharing settings and data use in our Audit management system.
You don’t need to do anything to accept these changes – they’re effective from today, 2 April 2025.
You can read the full text by visiting our Data Privacy Policy page.
