Sustainability standards encompass not only environmental sustainability but also other intangible aspects of "quality," such as labour standards and “fair” pricing, in particular in smallholder-dominated value chains like coffee and cocoa.
They function through third-party certification, funded by stakeholders, including producers, to verify that the certified commodity or product meets voluntary standards.
This session will delve into the impacts of environmentally-motivated mandatory standards set by importing countries on agricultural value chains. These standards aim to reduce environmental footprints, responding to evidence linking land use changes to deforestation and the climate crisis.
Discussions will cover implications for stakeholders in producing countries and challenges in implementing traceability solutions.
Questions to be addressed:
- How should mandatory standards be used to promote environmentally sustainable agricultural value chains that work for all stakeholders and contribute to addressing the SDGs?
- How can the net benefits of introducing mandatory environmental standards be maximized, in particular through implementing traceability solutions that preserve the important role that smallholder farmers play in different agricultural value chains?
- How should the challenges of multiple possible standards be addressed through international dialogue and cooperation, as was the case with the introduction of mandatory food safety standards?
Related
Topic
CommoditiesEvent
- Global Commodities Forum 2024
- Session 1: Adaptation to the energy transition in fossil fuel-dependent developing countries
- Session 2: Promoting natural fibers in the climate action agenda
- Session 3: Fostering sustainable trade in agricultural commodities: The role of standards and traceability
- Session 4: Harnessing benefits from critical energy transition minerals
- Side event to the Global Commodities Forum 2024: Strengthening traceability in Latin American coffee value chains
Contact
Communications concerning representation:
UNCTAD secretariat, Intergovernmental Support Service
F.: +41 (0) 22 917 0214
E.: [email protected]
All other enquiries:
Commodities Branch
T.: +41 (0) 22 917 6286 / 5261
E.: [email protected]