Metrics

There is currently no publically available, peer-reviewed data that compares all sources of organic cotton with the various global sources of conventional cotton.

However, one recent study is available concerning the environmental performance of organic and conventional Indian cotton production [1]. Using primary data for organically-produced seed cotton, this study found a 40% lower carbon footprint than for conventional Indian production. The water footprint was estimated to be 23% lower.*

* This comparison includes the combined total of “blue” and “green” water [2]; a breakdown of the two types of water was unavailable.

1. Slotyuk L, 2013, Life cycle assessment of organic cotton cultivation in India. Masters thesis, University of Hohenheim
^2. Hoekstra AY et al, 2011, The Water Footprint Assessment Manual