The Australian cotton industry has a 21 year history of independent environmental assessments, demonstrating its commitment to monitoring and improving the industry’s environmental performance. The initial assessment, conducted in 1991, saw the cotton industry become the first major agricultural industry undertake such a task, and in 2012, the Third Environment Assessment was conducted to continue documenting performance and practice change.
The Australian Cotton Industry: Third Environmental Assessment made six recommendations for the industry to improve its environmental performance. These recommendations, and the key findings from the Assessment, are outlined in this Assessment Report. In February 2016, the industry published its official response to the Third Environmental Assessment, outlining the high level outcomes that have been delivered on behalf of the industry.
In the Spring 2026 edition of Spotlight, read Dr Georgina Pengilley's inaugural Spotlight welcome, as she steps into the role as CRDC's Managing Director. Across this edition you can read about the Australian Cotton Conference, and a new $3.5 million partnership unlocking productive and sustainable farming systems in North Queensland. Learn more about the innovators supported through CRDC's Innovation Call, and the emerging growers and researchers helping shape the future of Australian cotton.
