Storing the future: cotton's hidden climate benefits

Host Philip Berman explores the fascinating world of biogenic carbon storage in cotton garments with Dr. Richard Venditti, from North Carolina State University, Steve Pires from Cotton Incorporated, and Emily Graham from Carhartt.

Together, they delve into the climate benefits of cotton and how it can play a crucial role in the textile industry's sustainability efforts.

We cover the following topics

• Biogenic Carbon Storage: how cotton garments can act as temporary carbon sinks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
• Dynamic vs. Static Life Cycle Assessment: an explanation and discussion of dynamic LCAs, how they account for the timing of emissions, and how it can reveal a more accurate picture of cotton's environmental impact.
• Sustainability Strategies: a discussion on some of the practical ways to extend the life of cotton garments

Link to the 2024 study (from the Bioresources journal) we discuss in depth in the podcast:

Evaluating cotton apparel with dynamic life cycle assessment assessment: The climate benefits of temporary biogenic carbon storage

For more information about Cotton Incorporated

Find out more about our daily news website and pioneering printed magazine Ecotextile News at: www.ecotextile.com that's been reporting on environmental and social issues in fashion and textile supply chains since 2006.