Organic cotton produced by smallholders in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa (CMiA) Organic standard has recorded an environmental footprint well below global industry norms, a comprehensive lifecycle analysis has confirmed. The study, commissioned by Textile Exchange, quantified impact across all stages from cultivation to ginning, showing that rainfed farming and the complete absence of synthetic inputs drove emissions to under one kilogram of CO2 equivalents per kilogram of ginned fibre.
- CmiA Organic cotton farming relied entirely on rainfall, with smallholders avoiding mineral fertilisers, synthetic pesticides, genetically modified seeds, and artificial irrigation throughout the cultivation process.
- Biodiversity-promoting practices such as the use of biochar and bokashi increased soil fertility and protected groundwater, reinforcing the ecological benefits of the organic smallholder model.
- Climate change posed a direct threat to Tanzanian cotton farmers through droughts, unpredictable precipitation, and torrential rainfall, despite their farming practices contributing negligibly to global emissions.
- The findings have been drawn from the Life Cycle Assessment—CmiA Organic, commissioned by Textile Exchange and published by the Aid by Trade Foundation in 2026.
INSIDE THE STUDY: The lifecycle assessment for CmiA Organic cotton from Tanzania forms part of a larger, critically reviewed study overseen by Textile Exchange, covering environmental impact across multiple production stages. The assessment examined how the CmiA Organic standard performs against measurable ecological indicators from field to ginnery, covering the full chain from cultivation through to ginning.
- Alexandra Perschau, head of Standards & Outreach at the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), provided institutional commentary on the assessment's findings, representing AbTF's commitment to transparency and environmental protection.
- The study evaluated environmental performance across distinct lifecycle phases, including field cultivation, nitrogen turnover, energy consumption at the ginnery, machine use, and transport.
- CmiA Organic's core standard mandates the exclusive use of natural soil-enhancement methods, forming the basis on which the assessment's ecological parameters were defined.
- The assessment sits within Textile Exchange's broader Cotton LCA Study, which benchmarks cotton production across a range of global cultivation systems and methodologies.
- CmiA Organic goes beyond conventional organic certification, incorporating social and economic support for farming communities alongside its core ecological and traceability requirements.
- The Aid by Trade Foundation, established in 2005 by Prof. Dr Michael Otto, manages four verified sustainability standards: Cotton made in Africa, CmiA Organic, the Regenerative Cotton Standard, and The Good Cashmere Standard.
THE NUMBERS: The lifecycle assessment placed total climate impact for CmiA Organic cotton from Tanzania at 0.89 kilograms of CO2 equivalents per kilogram of fibre, positioning it at the lower end of the broader Cotton LCA Study range. Field emissions from nitrogen turnover represented the dominant source, followed by energy use at the ginnery, with machine use and transport contributing the smallest share.
- Nitrogen turnover in the field accounted for approximately 0.59 kg CO2e per kilogram of fibre, making it the single largest emissions source across all measured lifecycle phases.
- Energy consumption and ginnery operations represented a secondary hotspot, contributing around 0.20 kg CO2e per kilogram of fibre to the total climate impact figure.
- Machine use and transport combined contributed approximately 0.10 kg CO2e per kilogram of fibre, representing the smallest share of total emissions across all lifecycle phases.
- The broader Cotton LCA Study recorded a global range of 0.44 to 4.17 kg CO2e per kilogram of fibres, with the study cautioning against direct comparisons.
- Blue-water consumption—surface water and groundwater used in production—was negligible for CmiA Organic cotton, as the farming model drew exclusively on green water from rainfall rather than irrigation sources.
THE HUMAN COST: Tanzanian smallholder cotton farmers face an acute climate justice crisis, even as the lifecycle assessment confirmed their agricultural practices barely contribute to climate change. Severe weather events disrupt sowing, growing, and harvesting cycles, while weakened cotton plants become increasingly vulnerable to pest pressure.
- Cotton made in Africa's holistic approach addresses climate resilience directly, focussing on preserving ecosystems, maintaining soil health, and protecting natural resources across smallholder farming communities.
- Weakened cotton plants face mounting pest pressure as climate stress intensifies, compounding harvest losses and threatening the long-term viability of smallholder cotton cultivation.
- Comprehensive training programmes equip cotton producers with the skills and knowledge needed to adapt their farms to shifting climate conditions, securing livelihoods for farmers and their families.
- Over 60 textile companies and fashion brands, including Bestseller and OTTO, source CmiA or CmiA Organic cotton, enabling around 800,000 small-scale farmers to practise resilient agriculture, improve their families' living standards, and protect ecosystems.
- CmiA Organic maintains a clear focus on protecting human rights alongside biodiversity, soil, and water, while investing in rural communities through education, health, and women's empowerment projects.
WHAT THEY SAID
The LCA provides valuable insights into the environmental performance of CmiA Organic cotton, reaffirming our commitment to transparency and to continuous improvement in environmental protection. Its results underline the inherent sustainability benefits of practising organic farming in accordance with the CmiA Organic standard, which prioritises ecological balance and the well-being of farmers. Fashion brands and textile companies that use CmiA Organic cotton have an opportunity to meet their science-based targets as well as the increasing regulatory requirements for transparency.
— Alexandra Perschau
Head of Standards & Outreach
Aid by Trade Foundation
Sourcing Cotton made in Africa Organic supports our transition from conventional cotton to organic cotton production with increased transparency. Collaborations like the one we have with Aid by Trade Foundation are essential in order for us to reach our organic cotton targets.
— Danique Lodewijks
Sustainable Raw Materials Manager
Bestseller
