Your wardrobe might be doing more for the planet than you realize! Like a mini forest, natural fiber clothing discreetly stores the carbon dioxide that the plants gathered from the atmosphere during growth. This makes natural fiber garments a carbon sink – a system that captures and holds carbon instead of releasing it into the atmosphere – meaning every cotton garment you own is helping to keep carbon out of the air for as long as it’s in use.
In the ongoing debate about sustainable textiles, recycled synthetic materials are championed for their low water usage and the crucial factor of carbon sequestration in natural materials is frequently overlooked. Emerging research is shedding light on the role of biogenic carbon storage in cotton apparel, revealing that conventional sustainability metrics may significantly underestimate its positive climate impact.
Cotton’s Climate Potential in Numbers
A recent study published in BioResources, Evaluating Cotton Apparel with Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment: The Climate Benefits of Temporary Biogenic Carbon Storage [1], highlights how sometimes traditional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) models fail to account for the benefits of temporary biogenic carbon storage in products like cotton garments. To quantify these benefits, the study used dynamic LCA modeling to measure Cumulative Radiative Forcing (CRF) – the amount of heat trapped in the atmosphere due to emissions. The study’s model revealed that the carbon uptake of biobased products results in a 22% reduction in CRF over 10 years. Moreover, incorporating regenerative agricultural practices into cotton production further amplifies these benefits, leading to a decrease of 96% at 10 years, 69% at 30 years, and even a net-negative carbon impact (-105%) over 100 years.
These findings reinforce what we at Organic Cotton Colours have long championed: natural fibers, especially when cultivated through regenerative methods, actively contribute to climate resilience. Unlike synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels, which release carbon into the atmosphere upon production and disposal, cotton from regenerative farms locks carbon into the soil, fostering a healthier agricultural ecosystem and reducing greenhouse gas emissions over time.
A Certified Commitment to Regeneration
After rigorous assessment, we are thrilled to announce that Organic Cotton Colours has received the Regenagri certification for 2025. This certification verifies that our cotton knits are produced using regenerative agricultural practices, ensuring that every thread contributes to healthier soils and greater biodiversity. Our work aims to go beyond sustainability, restoring ecosystems and supporting farmers in building climate resilience, all while maintaining ethical supply chains.
Every OCC garment now holds another verification of our commitment to sustainability – from seed to fabric. This dedication to regenerative cotton cultivation has a profound impact on carbon sequestration, reaffirming that every fashion choice made can either worsen the climate crisis or be a part of the climate solution.
Explore Our Organic and Regenerative Fabrics
As part of our ongoing mission to support brands in creating truly sustainable collections, we have updated the downloads section of our website to feature comprehensive dossiers on our fabrics, yarns, and manufacturing services. These resources provide the technical details needed to integrate regenerative cotton into new collections, ensuring that more garments are designed with both the planet and people in mind.
We invite brands and designers to explore our materials and collaborate with us to shape a regenerative fashion future!
Access our dossiers here: https://www.organiccottoncolours.com/es/descargas/
