Standard Owner Benchmark - BETTER COTTON

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is a global non-profit organization. BCI works with a diverse range of stakeholders including farmers, retailers, and brands to promote sustainable cotton production. The initiative aims to make cotton farming more sustainable by addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with cotton production.

BCI provides training and support to farmers, promoting the use of more efficient water and pesticide management practices, as well as promoting decent working conditions and fair wages. The organization also sets standards for responsible cotton production and operates a certification program to identify and promote Better Cotton.

Companies that are part of the Better Cotton Initiative can use the Better Cotton logo on their products, indicating that they are supporting sustainable cotton production practices. However, BCI itself is a non-profit organization focused on driving positive change in the cotton industry, rather than a profit-oriented company.

Here is some additional information about the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI):

-BCI's mission is to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the future of the sector.

-BCI is guided by several key principles, including minimizing the environmental impact of cotton production, promoting water stewardship, conserving natural habitats, promoting decent work conditions for farmers and workers, and promoting continuous improvement in cotton farming practices.

-BCI provides training and capacity-building programs to cotton farmers, educating them on sustainable farming techniques, efficient resource management, and good agricultural practices. This helps farmers improve their livelihoods while reducing the environmental impact of their operations.

-BCI has developed the Better Cotton Standard System, which sets the criteria and requirements for sustainable cotton production. The system includes principles, criteria, and indicators that farmers must meet to become certified and produce Better Cotton.

-BCI works collaboratively with various stakeholders in the cotton industry, including farmers, industry partners, retailers, brands, and civil society organizations. By fostering collaboration, BCI aims to drive transformational change across the cotton sector.

-BCI's goal is to increase the demand and availability of Better Cotton in the global market. This is achieved by engaging retailers, brands, and textile manufacturers to incorporate Better Cotton into their supply chains and offering consumers more sustainable cotton choices.

-BCI measures and monitors the social, environmental, and economic impacts of its program. It also maintains transparency by publishing an annual report that provides insights into the progress made, challenges faced, and future goals of the organization.