Cotton T-Shirt
ApparelCarbon Cost Index Score
Per kg
Methodology v1.0 · Last reviewed 2026-04-08
Scope Breakdown
| Scope | kgCO₂e | % of Total | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 2.4 | 5% | |
| Scope 2 | 7.2 | 15% | |
| Scope 3 | 38.4 | 80% | |
| Total | 48 | 100% |
Emission Hotspots
| Emission Hotspot | Scope | Est. % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| consumer use (washing/drying) | S3 | 45% |
| cotton cultivation and pesticide/fertilizer use | S3 | 20% |
| yarn manufacturing and textile processing | S3 | 18% |
| transportation and logistics | S3 | 10% |
| fabric dyeing and bleaching | S3 | 7% |
Manufacturing Geography
- Region
- South Asia
- Grid Intensity
- 632 kgCO2/MWh (India grid average, IEA 2024)
Material Composition Assumptions
A typical cotton t-shirt contains primarily cotton fiber representing the overwhelming majority of material mass. The standard composition includes cotton fabric at approximately 260 grams comprising 97% of total weight, with minor components including thread, labels, and potential trim elements totaling roughly 7 grams or 3% of the garment weight. The total assumed weight for this assessment is 267 grams per unit, reflecting industry-standard basic t-shirt construction without significant embellishments or heavy-weight fabric variations.
Manufacturing Geography
Primary manufacturing occurs throughout South Asia, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where established textile infrastructure supports large-scale cotton processing and garment assembly. These regions benefit from proximity to major cotton growing areas while maintaining cost-effective manufacturing capabilities. The grid intensity in this region averages 632 kgCO2/MWh based on India’s energy mix, reflecting the continued reliance on coal-fired power generation that significantly influences the carbon footprint of energy-intensive textile manufacturing processes.
Regional Variation
| Manufacturing Region | Grid Intensity | Estimated CCI Score | Adjustment vs Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 632 kgCO2/MWh | 48 | Baseline |
| Vietnam | 465 kgCO2/MWh | 32 | -33% |
| China | 555 kgCO2/MWh | 42 | -13% |
| Turkey | 387 kgCO2/MWh | 29 | -40% |
| Mexico | 435 kgCO2/MWh | 31 | -35% |
Provenance Override Guidance
- Cotton cultivation method documentation specifying organic versus conventional growing practices with third-party certification records
- Manufacturing facility energy consumption data including renewable energy usage percentages and local grid intensity measurements
- Transportation logistics documentation covering shipping distances and modal splits from cotton farm through final assembly
- Textile processing chemical usage records detailing dyeing, bleaching, and finishing processes with associated energy consumption
- Garment weight specifications and material composition breakdowns including any synthetic fiber blends or alternative materials
Methodology Notes
- The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions including consumer use phase washing and drying over an assumed 50-wash lifetime
- Scope 3 emissions dominate at 80% due to cotton agriculture impacts and consumer laundry energy consumption
- Functional unit defined as one complete cotton t-shirt of standard weight suitable for normal consumer use
- Assessment excludes end-of-life disposal or recycling processes due to highly variable regional waste management systems
- Data gaps exist for small-scale cotton farming practices and informal manufacturing facilities common in developing regions
- Consumer behavior variations in washing frequency and temperature settings create significant uncertainty in use-phase emissions
Related Concepts
Sources
- Carbon Trust 2011 Carbon Footprint Study — Established baseline carbon footprint methodology for textile products including consumer use phase impacts.
- Cotton Incorporated 2016 Global LCA — Comprehensive analysis of cotton production environmental impacts across global growing regions.
- Daystar et al. 2019 Journal of Industrial Ecology — Quantified water consumption requirements of approximately 2,700 liters per cotton t-shirt.
- Liu et al. 2024 International Journal of Global Warming — Updated carbon footprint analysis showing regional manufacturing variations up to 1.5x between countries.
- Carbonfact 2025 Product Carbon Footprint Database — Current industry data on cotton t-shirt emissions ranging from 4.3 to 15 kg CO2e per unit.
- Nature Reviews Earth & Environment 2023 Cotton Environmental Impacts — Analysis of pesticide intensity in cotton cultivation representing 16% of global insecticide use.
- Journal of Cleaner Production 2020 Cotton LCA Study — Identified consumer washing and drying as the dominant lifecycle emission source at 40-70%.
- Baydar et al. 2015 Resources Conservation & Recycling — Demonstrated 94% emissions reduction potential for organic versus conventional cotton production.