The Australian cotton industry has published the Australian Cotton Integrated Sustainability Report 2024, presenting an in-depth review of progress and performance for the year ending 30 June 2024. The new report builds on a long-running series that tracks the industry’s continuous improvement toward more sustainable outcomes for people, the environment, and regional communities.
As the world celebrates World Cotton Day, the report offers a timely opportunity to recognise Australian cotton’s contribution to regional prosperity and its leadership in sustainable production.
Organised around the PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. Sustainability Framework, the report highlights achievements and challenges across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. It provides an integrated picture of how the industry is managing resources responsibly while supporting local livelihoods and global market expectations.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of cotton farming in Australia. Careful stewardship of land, water, and people not only protects natural ecosystems but also strengthens farm productivity and resilience. The 2024 report summarises the initiatives underway to deliver these benefits and sets out the industry’s shared direction for continued improvement and transparent reporting.
Key highlights from report:
- Water efficiency: Australian cotton growers now use around 50 percent less water per bale than in 1997 (in most seasons).
- Pesticide impact: Since 2004, the industry has reduced the hazard to bees by 91 percent and the hazard to algae by 52 percent, reflecting strong uptake of integrated pest management (IPM).
- Economic contribution: $3.1 billion gross value of production in 2024 with majority of this income flowing back and circulating within regional economies.
- Global alignment: The 2024 report introduces new sustainability metrics aligned with international reporting frameworks, strengthening transparency and consistency with global standards.
Driving change through research and innovation
Australian cotton's progress has been powered by long-term investment in research, development, and extension. Continuous innovation has delivered measurable gains in efficiency and environmental performance. Collaboration between scientists, growers, and industry partners continues to position Australian cotton as a world leader in sustainable production.
The industry was also the first in Australian agriculture to undertake an independent environmental assessment in 1991 and has maintained that commitment to continuous improvement ever since. Today, with as many as 1,500 farms producing cotton depending on seasonal conditions and more than 7,200 people directly employed on farms and in gins, cotton remains a vital contributor to the social and economic wellbeing of regional Australia.
For detailed findings and access to the full report, visit the Australian Cotton Sustainability website.
