Better Cotton Initiative

Best practice starts at the source. Through training, BCI aims to facilitate more sustainable cotton production, making it better for the people who produce it, better for the environment and better for the sector’s future. Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is the largest cotton sustainability program in the world, helping cotton communities thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment. BCI trains cotton workers in more sustainable farming practices, outlines and assesses compliance and has created a network of partners to connect supply with demand. 

Reducing the impact of our industry.

As part of our wider ethos, it’s important to us that we source from ethical, sustainable suppliers. Paloma Beach is committed to improving cotton farming practices globally with Better Cotton. By partnering with BCI, we are part of a collective that is committed to improving social, environmental and economic outcomes for the industry we are a part of. Better Cotton is sourced via a system of mass balance, which means Better Cotton is not physically traceable to end products, however Better Cotton farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in equivalent volumes to those we source.

Helping cotton communities thrive.

Better Cotton Initiative works with on-the-ground partners across the world to support cotton communities to build resilience and improve their livelihoods, with a big focus on women’s equality within the cotton farming community and in some cases gaining economic independence and or leadership roles. Better Cotton is sourced via a chain of custody model called mass balance. This means that Better Cotton is not physically traceable to end products, however, Better Cotton Farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in equivalent volumes to those we ‘source.’ Better Cotton trains farmers to use water efficiently, care for soil health and natural habitats, reduce use of the most harmful chemicals and respect workers’ rights and wellbeing.

The Big Vision.

BCI’s vision is for a sustainable world, where cotton farmers and workers are more resilient to climate change, threats to environment and global pandemics. BCI’s 2030 strategy covers five key impact areas - climate change mitigation, soil health, pesticide use, smallholder livelihoods and women’s empowerment. Alongside this strategy, they have launched a specific climate change mitigation target - to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of Better Cotton produced by 50%.