Updates

The first ever cotton varieties bred under organic conditions, developed through a decentralised organic participatory breeding programme, have recently been made available to farmers in India. These improved varieties are the outcome of joint efforts made under the project Seeding the Green Future. The varieties were developed through a decentralised organic participatory breeding programme of FiBL Switzerland and partners.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected the US Cotton Trust Protocol to lead the US Climate Smart Cotton Program with a funding ceiling of $90 million. This will be one of the 70 projects selected under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity.

UK's CottonConnect and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) have signed an agreement to work together on knowledge sharing, innovation, environmental sustainability assessment and joint project initiatives.

Global strategy consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is set to acquire Quantis to further strengthen climate and sustainability (C&S) expertise and transformation capability. Together, BCG and Quantis intend to "lead the global transformation toward a new planetary economy" in which business gives nature a seat at the table.

The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya's INTEXTER department has conducted an analysis to calculate the share of fibres used in the clothes that are dumped in textile collection bins. The study uses an innovative methodology and is therefore more accurate than other approaches so far.

Against backdrop of recent EU policy developments, a new social dialogue project — Towards Zero Adverse Impact of the European Leather Industry – Green Deal Leather — has been initiated. texfash.com reports.

The State of New York will give $10 million to projects focusing on industry challenges and opportunities, with priority given to those involving the use of state crops and material inputs, and cultivating technology that accelerates sustainability in the fashion and textiles industry.

The ensuing 36th International Cotton Conference will explore, among other things, the issue of traceability in supply chains. The subject has gained prominence in the light of the proposed EU supply chain law, and demands for transparency and greater sustainability worldwide.

A survey of 19,000 consumers across the US, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, China, India and Brazil, has found that consumers are not paying a premium for "sustainable" products yet. About 70% admitted to feeling wary of corporate sustainability claims and commitments.

In a bid to nurture innovation and technology talent and encourage young people to embrace innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to drive change for social good and societal impact, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has announced a Sustainable Future Challenge: Textile and Fashion.