Cotton 2040 Impact Report

November 2023 – The systemic social, environmental and economic challenges that exist within the cotton industry were the impetus for the Cotton 2040 initiative, a multi-year collaboration convened by Forum for the Future, and involving partners and stakeholders from across the cotton value chain. The ‘Cotton 2040 Impact Report’ provides the concluding updates from the Cotton 2040 initiative, sharing key findings from three focus areas and four topline recommendations to make cotton a climate resilient, agriculturally regenerative, and socially equitable crop.

The report is published as part of Forum’s Cotton 2040 initiative, an eight-year initiative (2015-2023) by international sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future which aimed to accelerate progress and maximise the impact of existing sustainable cotton initiatives, bringing together over 50 leading international brands and retailers, sustainable cotton standards, traders, over 15 processors and farmers, and other stakeholders across the value chain.

We extend our gratitude to all the partners, participants, and supporters who have been instrumental in making Cotton 2040 a success. A special thanks to our funders, Laudes Foundation, for their generous support and commitment to driving positive change in the cotton sector.

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