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.
Commodity Reports |
Voluntary sustainability standard-compliant coffee production is increasing at a higher rate than the overall sector, with significant growth coming from least-developed countries.
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?
Commodity Reports |
This report published in collaboration with ITC and FiBL, helps shape decisions of policymakers, producers and businesses, working to address systemic labour and environmental challenges through certified sustainable production.
Commodity Reports |
This report explores how voluntary sustainability standards support the long-term development goals of the forestry sector.
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.
Policy Briefs |
Cadbury’s decision to develop its own inhouse sustainability standard rather than continue to rely on Fairtrade International certification is a great step backwards for global cocoa sustainability.