Our experts analyze commodities markets across sectors to determine standard-compliant consumption and production trends, their opportunities and challenges for sustainable development, and more. Our pieces of analysis range from commentaries to policy briefs to reports.
Commentaries |
In celebration of World Biodiversity Day, we interviewed Vivek Voora, an associate with IISD working on the State of Sustainability Initiatives, to get his thoughts on how standards can impact biodiversity.
Commentaries |
The annual World of Coffee event, held in early June in Berlin, Germany, is known as the largest professional conference devoted to the coffee sector in Europe, where the sheer breadth and depth of the sector can be seen in full force.
Commentaries |
Food security is an intersectional issue. It touches on income, poverty, access to resources, gender-based discrimination and health. With food security being critical to so many facets of a woman’s livelihoods, how can development organizations utilize voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) t...
Commentaries |
Ensuring certification reaps rewards: the case of a Rwandan coffee cooperative. Participating in certification programs and meeting sustainability standards can have valuable benefits for smallholder farmers and fulfil environmental and social objectives. But what happens when, despite the time a...
Commentaries |
The demand and supply of standard-compliant products has grown significantly over the last two decades, with over 400 voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) operating across the planet. How can VSS organizations contribute to policy-making on biodiversity protection?
Commentaries |
Voluntary sustainability standards have a strong potential for supporting efforts to protect biological diversity. But policy makers will have to expand their role beyond mere supporters and users of such initiatives to that of watchdogs and regulators if this potential is to be realized.
Commentaries |
This report details how smallholder farmers are vital for transitioning to more sustainable forms of agriculture.
Commentaries |
This report explores traceability systems along the agricultural supply chain and its importance to sustainability initiatives.
Commentaries |
This report provides an overview into the importance of implementing sustainable land use patterns to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Commentaries |
The arrival of ethical beef at Earls restaurants should be considered good news. But the Canadian chain’s controversial decision to snub humane producers in Canada and only buy from U.S. sources points to the disruptive potential of competitive forces within ethical labeling.There are current...