The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has launched a new tool designed to help farmers, researchers, and policymakers assess the net carbon impact of cotton farming and related processes.
The ICAC Carbon Footprint Application enables users to input various data points to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂-eq) related to cotton production. Additionally, it evaluates the carbon capture potential of various agricultural practices, according to ICAC.
This application is useful for calculating emissions generated from both agricultural activities and household practices. Users can aggregate data at a larger scale, encompassing regions like villages, towns, or districts, thereby assessing progress towards achieving net-zero emissions targets.
The tool allows for custom assessments based on a variety of factors, such as soil types, seed varieties, mulching methods, modes of transportation, and a multitude of farming practices, including over 30 tillage operations and more than 10 planting techniques. It also takes into account methods for pesticide application, weeding techniques, and over 14 different harvesting methods, as explained by ICAC.
Moreover, the application factors in elements like both animal and human labor, various irrigation systems (with nine methods available that can utilize either electricity or diesel), over 30 different fertilizers, 16 types of compost and manure, and a wide array of pesticides, with more than 550 generic molecules represented across over 4,400 commercial formulations.
Additionally, the tool addresses emissions linked to land-use changes and carbon sequestration techniques associated with cotton fiber management, including crop residue management strategies such as fuel consumption, biochar production, or mulching, as well as regenerative farming practices, including cover cropping and reduced tillage that boost soil carbon levels.
According to ICAC, the application’s dashboard offers an in-depth analysis of CO₂-eq GHG emissions per hectare, estimates of carbon sequestration, and a summary of net carbon credits.
Dr. Keshav Kranthi, ICAC’s chief scientist and the developer of the application, stated: “With its comprehensive capabilities, the ICAC Carbon Footprint Application provides farmers and policymakers with a practical and science-based tool to evaluate and reduce emissions, enhance carbon sequestration, and work toward climate-smart, sustainable cotton production.
“By enabling assessments from individual farms to entire regions, this app supports the global drive toward net-zero targets and responsible carbon management.” This carbon footprint tool for cotton farming is set to play a crucial role in promoting sustainability within the cotton industry. The introduction of this carbon footprint tool for cotton farming is a significant step towards ensuring that growers can adopt practices that are not only environmentally friendly but also economically viable in the long run.
