Cotton Industry Fashion and Sustainable Development, Prof. Hasabo Ahmed, Prof. Nevin Gürsoy, Dr Pelin Altay

Professor Hasabo Ahmed
Sudan University of Science and Technology (Sudan)
Istanbul Technical University (Turkey)
ORCID: 0000-0002-5095-8650
Professor Nevin Gürsoy
Istanbul Technical University
Turkey
ORCID: 0000-0001-6707-4256
Dr Pelin Altay
Istanbul Technical University
Turkey
ORCID: 0000-0001-7888-9477

Abstract: The conventional cotton industry, a cornerstone of the global fashion supply chain, faces significant challenges to its sustainability. The high demand for cotton, particularly in the fast-fashion sector, has led to unsustainable agricultural practices. These include the excessive use of water, which can lead to water scarcity and ecosystem degradation, and the heavy reliance on pesticides and fertilizers that contaminate soil and water sources, harming biodiversity and human health. The cotton fashion Industry is also facing energy balance challenge, where is highlighted in this study. The push for sustainable development in the fashion industry has created a critical need to transform cotton production. Initiatives like BC Cotton and the promotion of organic cotton aiming to address these issues by encouraging farmers to adopt more eco-friendly practices, such as reducing chemical inputs, improving soil health, and using more efficient irrigation techniques. Furthermore, technological advancements like precision agriculture, which use GPS and sensors to optimize planting and water use, offer promising solutions to reduce the environmental footprint. The textile and fashion industry is to adopt more sustainable practices regarding water or chemical use and disposal as well as energy balance.
Keywords: Cotton Industry, Water Scarcity, Sustainable Development, Fertilizers, Contaminates, Fashion.