A new report reveals how the pursuit of cotton for fashion giants like H&M and Zara fuels land grabs, deforestation, and human rights abuses in Brazil's Cerrado biome.
Sophie Benson reports for Atmos.
In short:
- Cotton sourcing by fashion brands like H&M and Zara is linked to land grabs, illegal deforestation, and human rights violations in Brazil.
- Earthsight's report highlights the significant environmental and social impacts of cotton production in the Cerrado biome, affecting both biodiversity and traditional communities.
- Despite certifications like Better Cotton, the supply chain lacks transparency and fails to ensure ethical and sustainable practices.
Key quote:
“There’s been a lot of research and campaigning on the impacts of soy and beef in the Brazilian Cerrado, but a lot less has been said about the impacts of cotton production.”
— Rubens Carvalho, deputy director at Earthsight.
Why this matters:
The fashion industry's reliance on unsustainable cotton sourcing contributes to environmental degradation and human rights abuses further enabled by regulatory shortcomings. Read more: The reckless embrace of banned pesticides in the US.
