Cascale has unveiled a new cotton LCA methodology for the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI), claiming to offer “unprecedented accuracy and consistency” in assessing the environmental impacts of cotton fibre.
- This updated cotton methodology, Cascale claimed, not only strengthens sourcing decisions within the cotton sector but also sets a precedent for improving data transparency across other fibres and materials in the Higg MSI.
- It provides businesses with “reliable” data to make informed sourcing and sustainability decisions.
- Data modelled with this methodology will be released on this and future updates to the Higg MSI, exclusively available on the sustainability data insights platform Worldly.
- Participants in the Higg MSI Methodology Cotton Expert Team included 13 member organisations representing global cotton programmes and industry stakeholders.
THE HIGG MSI is a cradle-to-gate material assessment tool that calculates environmental impacts from the extraction or production of raw materials, through manufacturing and finishing to the point where the material, trim/component, or packaging is ready to be assembled into a final product.
- For the past three years, experts and stakeholders convened by Cascale as part of the Higg MSI Methodology Cotton Expert Team collaborated on a cotton-specific methodology and model, providing an industry-aligned method for assessing the environmental impact of the fibre, following LCA principles.
ABOUT CASCALE: Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the leading sustainability data insights platform.
WHAT THEY SAID:
This update is a testament to the power of industry-wide collaboration. By bringing together diverse stakeholders who work directly with cotton growers we’ve created a methodology that not only improves cotton LCA data, but advances transparency through continuous updates and evolution. This in turn allows for better partnerships and decision-making across supply chains to drive real sustainability outcomes.
— Joël Mertens
Director, Higg Product Tools
Cascale
Measuring the environmental impact of sustainable cotton production in a meaningful and consistent way is important to enable textile manufacturers, and ultimately consumers, make sustainable choices. That’s why, as part of Cascale’s MSI Methodology Cotton Expert Team, CottonConnect contributed to the development of a Higg MSI cotton-specific LCA methodology to enable a standardized, industry-wide method.
— Prakash Philip
Global Director, Strategy and Impact
CottonConnect
This Cascale initiative shows the desire of our peers around the world to ensure if an LCA method is used – such as for hotspot analysis, risk assessment, and demonstrating impact – it uses best available data, and complements the Australian cotton industry’s long record of collaboration and data transparency. The Australian cotton industry expects this new Cascale Cotton Methodology will give textile and apparel customers greater confidence in Australian cotton and potentially help them identify areas to work with the Australian cotton industry to further reduce their impacts.
— Allan Williams
Executive Director
Cotton Research and Development Corporation
