Advances in carbon footprint on cotton and its textile products from life cycle perspective

Abstract

The cotton and textile sector are among the most energy- and emission-intensive global production systems, but studies on the carbon footprint of cotton and textile products remain fragmented. Substantial inconsistencies exist in system boundaries, methodological choices, and data sources, which limit study results comparability and policy setting. Here, we systematically clarify lifecycle system boundaries spanning cotton cultivation, textile manufacturing, product use, and end-of-life management, with particular attention to the treatment of foreground and background emissions, transportation processes, and soil carbon dynamics. Across stages, we identify consistent emission hotspots driven by fertilizer-induced N₂O emissions, energy-intensive dyeing and finishing processes, consumer laundering behavior, and recycling pathways. Looking ahead, we highlight key priorities for advancing the field, including the development of harmonized global cotton-textile life cycle assessment databases, the adoption of digital and dynamic carbon accounting tools, the establishment of unified product carbon labeling systems, and the integration of circular economy principles toward low- and zero-carbon textile value chains.

Keywords

Raw cotton / cotton textile / life cycle assessment / carbon footprint

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