Cotton Hoodie / Sweatshirt
ApparelCarbon Cost Index Score
Per kg
Methodology v1.0 · Last reviewed 2026-04-08
Scope Breakdown
| Scope | kgCO₂e | % of Total | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 0.8 | 2% | |
| Scope 2 | 11.8 | 28% | |
| Scope 3 | 29.4 | 70% | |
| Total | 42 | 100% |
Emission Hotspots
| Emission Hotspot | Scope | Est. % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| consumer use phase (washing, drying, ironing) | S3 | 32% |
| textile manufacturing (spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing) | S2 | 28% |
| cotton cultivation and fertilizer production | S3 | 20% |
| transportation throughout supply chain | S3 | 15% |
| end-of-life disposal | S3 | 5% |
Manufacturing Geography
- Region
- China, India, Bangladesh
- Grid Intensity
- 577 gCO2e/kWh (China, IEA 2023)
Material Composition Assumptions
A typical cotton hoodie consists of 100% cotton fiber weighing approximately 625 grams. The garment includes cotton fleece fabric for the main body, ribbed cotton cuffs and waistband, cotton drawstrings, and cotton thread for construction. Additional components include metal grommets for drawstring holes and care labels, though these represent less than 1% of total product weight.
Manufacturing Geography
Cotton hoodies are primarily manufactured in China, India, and Bangladesh, regions that collectively produce over 60% of global cotton textiles. China’s textile manufacturing operates on a grid intensity of 577 gCO2e/kWh, significantly impacting the carbon footprint of energy-intensive processes like dyeing and finishing. These regions offer established cotton supply chains, large-scale manufacturing capabilities, and proximity to major cotton-growing areas, making them cost-effective production centers despite higher grid carbon intensity compared to regions with cleaner energy sources.
Regional Variation
| Manufacturing Region | Grid Intensity | Estimated CCI Score | Adjustment vs Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 577 gCO2e/kWh | 42 | Default baseline |
| India | 708 gCO2e/kWh | 46 | +9% higher |
| Bangladesh | 510 gCO2e/kWh | 40 | -5% lower |
| Turkey | 387 gCO2e/kWh | 36 | -14% lower |
| Portugal | 252 gCO2e/kWh | 31 | -26% lower |
Provenance Override Guidance
- Cotton fiber origin documentation showing organic certification or specific growing region with fertilizer usage data
- Manufacturing facility energy consumption records with renewable energy percentage and grid source verification
- Detailed dyeing and finishing process specifications including chemical usage, water treatment methods, and energy requirements
- Transportation records showing shipping methods, distances, and modal split from fiber production through final distribution
- Fabric weight measurements and exact material composition percentages including any synthetic fiber blends
Methodology Notes
- The CCI score represents total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for a standard cotton hoodie weighing 625 grams
- Scope 2 emissions dominate due to energy-intensive textile manufacturing processes including spinning, weaving, dyeing, and heat-setting
- Scope 3 emissions capture cotton cultivation, fertilizer production, consumer use patterns, and end-of-life disposal
- Functional unit assumes 50 wash cycles over typical garment lifespan with standard home laundering practices
- Packaging materials and retail operations are excluded due to high variability and limited data availability
- Consumer use phase assumes mixed energy grid for washing and electric tumble drying
- Data gaps exist for specific dyeing chemistry impacts and regional variations in cotton growing practices
Related Concepts
Sources
- Jungmichel 2010 Carbon Footprint of Textiles — Quantified carbon emissions from textile production processes and material sourcing.
- Textile Exchange 2025 Cotton Life Cycle Assessment — Analyzed environmental impacts across the complete cotton textile supply chain.
- Cotton Incorporated 2016 Global Cotton LCA — Assessed lifecycle environmental performance of cotton fiber production worldwide.
- Steinberger et al. 2009 International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment — Evaluated carbon footprints of apparel products through comprehensive lifecycle analysis.
- Baydar et al. 2015 Life Cycle Assessment of Cotton T-shirts — Measured greenhouse gas emissions from cotton garment production and use phases.
- World Resources Institute 2019 Apparel Industry Impact Analysis — Identified major environmental hotspots throughout the global apparel value chain.
- BSR 2009 Apparel Industry Life Cycle Carbon Mapping — Mapped carbon emissions across different stages of apparel manufacturing and distribution.