State of Sustainability Initiatives
IISD’s State of Sustainability Initiatives (SSI) has been working to advance sustainable and inclusive value chains since 2008. We provide credible and solution-oriented research, dialogue, and strategic advice for decision-makers about voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) and other supportive initiatives.
Our goal is to help decision-makers use VSSs as needed to support more sustainable production, consumption, and trade. This work includes helping small-scale producers and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries to access markets and receive fair remuneration. Our strategy to achieve this goal has three components:
- Improving the design and practices of VSSs.
- Increasing synergies between VSSs and policy action at the national, regional, and multilateral levels.
- Enhancing the transparency and accountability of value chain actors’ sourcing practices and the terms and conditions they establish with producers.
What are VSSs?
The United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards defines VSSs as “standards specifying requirements that producers, traders, manufacturers, retailers or service providers may be asked to meet, relating to a wide range of sustainability metrics, including respect for basic human rights, worker health and safety, the environmental impacts of production, community relations, land use planning and others.”
Some VSSs are international in their scope, such as Fairtrade International, GlobalG.A.P., and Rainforest Alliance. Others have a local or regional focus, such as the Indian-based Trustea, Madagascar Organic, or the African Organisation for Standardisation.
Over the last 3 decades, there has been exponential growth in the demand and supply of standard-compliant products, which has led to the proliferation of VSSs. The diversity of these initiatives makes it increasingly challenging for stakeholders to stay informed on their utility, performance, and best practices.
Our work
We work with VSSs and value chain actors, producer and consumer groups, policy officials from governments in producing and consuming countries, regional blocs, intergovernmental organizations, and multilateral entities.
We conduct research, provide tailored services such as capacity building and technical assistance, and convene and facilitate dialogues.
Through our work, we strive to improve the effectiveness of VSSs and raise awareness about their potential to foster sustainable production, consumption, and trade among all stakeholders—from smallholder farmers, end consumers, and large manufacturers to government officials and financial services providers.
Our history
The SSI project is the result of several multistakeholder meetings (2003–2006) on sustainable commodities production and trade, facilitated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and IISD, under the auspices of the Sustainable Commodity Initiative (SCI).
Building on requests for improved information on the performance and market opportunities associated with voluntary sustainability initiatives, the SCI, through a special partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and AidEnvironment, launched the SSI project in 2008. IISD leads and manages the SSI.
Publications
South-South Trade and Voluntary Sustainability Standards
This report explores how voluntary sustainability standards are being used in trade policy to increase the trade of more sustainable products between developing countries.
Global Market Report: Sugar cane prices and sustainability
This report explores recent market trends in the sugar cane sector, what these trends mean for producers in developing countries, and what can be done to improve farmers' incomes.
Global Market Report: Palm oil prices and sustainability
This report unpacks market trends in the palm oil sector and examines the role of sustainability standards in ensuring farmers receive fair incomes and adopt sustainable practices.
State of Sustainability Initiatives Review: Standards and the Sustainable Development Goals
This report explores the role that voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can play in helping governments advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and better track and report on their progress toward achieving them.
Project team

Cristina Larrea
Lead II, Sustainability Standards

Steffany Bermúdez
Policy Advisor I

Sara Elder
Senior Policy Advisor, Standards Workstream

Erika Luna
Junior Policy Analyst

Sally Millett
Communications Officer

David Perri
Senior Communications Officer, Economic Law and Policy

Florencia Sarmiento
Policy Analyst

Vivek Voora
Senior Associate
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