For brands, sustainable fibre choices go beyond how a fibre is produced. Resource efficiency, soil health, and inputs matter - but so too does fibre quality, durability, and consistency, which helps reduce wastage in the spinning mill and supports longer-lasting products.
This focus is grounded in accountability. In the 1990s, the Australian cotton industry undertook a rigorous independent-audit to better understand its environmental impacts and identify areas for improvement. The process marked a turning point, establishing a culture of transparency, measurement, and continuous improvement that continues to shape the industry today.
The findings led to the development of industry-wide best-practice standards, increased investment in research and extension, and a stronger focus on measuring on-farm performance. Over time, this approach has delivered significant gains in water-use efficiency, reduced reliance on insecticides, improved soil health, and stronger protection of native vegetation - embedding sustainability and accountability as core principles of Australian cotton production, supported by the myBMP program.
To support brands, retailers, and supply chain partners in accessing this information, the Australian cotton industry launched australiancottonsustainability.org.au last year. The platform brings together key sustainability data, evidence, and resources in one place, helping brands understand where Australian cotton comes from, how it is produced, and how its sustainability performance is measured.
In 2025, Cotton Australia and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) jointly published the 2024 Australian Cotton Sustainability Report, providing the latest data on industry progress across water use, chemicals, soil health, land management, and environmental stewardship. Together, these resources ensure the industry is clearly communicating its gains, backing claims with data, and supporting brands seeking credible, evidence-based fibre stories.
In the latest episode of Australian Cotton Stories, we take a closer look at how Australian cotton growers continue to improve the way cotton is grown - carefully managing resources while producing high-quality fibre that supports longer-lasting, durable products for brands and consumers alike.
Future installments of Australian Cotton Stories will explore themes including history, data, farming families, and more. Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube so you don’t miss an episode.
Australian Cotton Stories is produced by Cotton Australia
Directed by Sam Weight
February 2026