What Is BCI (The Better Cotton Initiative ) Cotton?
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is a global non-profit organization that works to ensure cotton production more sustainable. BCI organization works to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment and better for the sector’s future. BCI Organization works with cotton producer to make cotton as a sustainable product for future. The cotton produced according to Better cotton standard system is called better cotton.
Better Cotton means producing cotton in a way that ensures:
➢Input optimization
➢Respect for the environment
➢Consideration for social welfare
Strategic investments into Better Cotton projects to support the Better Cotton Initiative is done by the Better Cotton GIF ( Growth and Innovation Fund) which is governed by the BCI Council, in partnership with BCI Retailers and Brands, Civil Society Members, and Government Bodies. Please see a brief of the the Better Cotton GIF , how it works..
Better Cotton ( BCI Cotton) is …
- Produced by verified firm that ensures that it is produced maintaining the BCI cotton production principles.
- Tracked and verified by through Better Cotton Tracer online system.
- BCI cotton is available in all range of cotton quality and specifications.
- Produced in many countries in huge quantities.
Why BCI exists ?
- For the betterment of the people produced it.
- For the environment where it grows in.
- For the sector’s Future
BCI’S four specific aims ?
- Reduce the environmental impact of cotton production.
- Improve livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing areas.
- Improve commitment to and flow of Better Cotton throughout supply chain.
- Ensure the credibility and sustainability of the Better Cotton Initiative.
Brief idea on BCI Cotton Organization history?
- BCI is established as an independent organization and is officially launched in 2009.
- The first harvests of Better Cotton take place in Brazil, India, Mali and Pakistan in 2011 and in China in 2012. In Kazakhstan and South Africa it takes until 2017.
- To trace the Better cotton supply chain the Better Cotton Tracer / the Better Cotton Platform is launched as an online tracking system for it’s Members to record all transactions of Better Cotton Claims Units, or ‘credits’, in 2013.
- In 2016, BCI aims to have five million licensed BCI Farmers producing 8.2 million metric tones of Better Cotton by 2020 and it is around 30% of global cotton production.
- By 2018, 2 million farmers from 21 countries received BCI license and produce more than 5 million tones of BCI Cotton that around near to 19% of global cotton production.
- In 2019, BCI celebrates it’s 10th Anniversary of establishment.
- In 2020, BCI is making plan for 2030 to achieve sustainable goals.
BCI and the SDGs :
There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global guidance document adopted by world leaders at the United Nations Summit in September 2015. BCI’s efforts to make Better Cotton a mainstream sustainable commodity are intrinsically aligned to the 10 SDGs goals. Through the Better Cotton Standard System we aim to embed social, environmental and economic sustainability into cotton production around the globe. BCI embraces the SDGs holistically and is inspired to be part of a global community working to make the world a better place for living.
Below are the 10 SDGs that we have identified and the ways in which our efforts are making significant contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We will discuss the BCI cotton standard system and other related details soon.
Source : https://bettercotton.org
good to know about BCI please.. tks.