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Sustainability Standards Must Give Producers More Opportunities to Help Steer Their Agenda

Voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) have emerged and proliferated over the last 3 decades to help address social and environmental challenges associated with how we produce and consume food and goods. Many VSS-setting organizations (VSSSOs) in the agricultural sector seek to improve the livelihoods of producers—by which we mean farmers, farm workers, and factory workers—as part of their mandate. But to what degree do VSSSOs include the people they intend to help in the decisions that affect their lives? Studies suggest not nearly enough.

IISD in the news December 5, 2023

Feds and province veto offshore oil exploration in Nova Scotia

A licence to explore the offshore of Nova Scotia for oil and gas and restart fossil fuel activity there after years of dormancy was rejected Monday by the federal and provincial governments. The decision to reject the licence considers broader policy focused on "shared commitments to advance clean energy and pursue economic opportunities in the clean energy sector, which are beyond the scope of the board's regulatory purview," a joint statement said.

IISD in the news December 5, 2023

How Can Sustainability Standards Do More to Ratchet Up Smallholder Farmers' Incomes?

We need to get better at measuring and sharing the social and environmental costs of producing food and goods so the burden to pay doesn’t fall on smallholder farmers.

Deep Dive December 4, 2023

COP 28 Side Event | Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform: Bridging discussions in climate and trade forums

This COP 28 side event will explore how fossil fuel subsidy reform is addressed across the climate and trade space, highlighting the actions being taken through UNFCCC processes and at the WTO.

Conference December 4, 2023

On Behalf of My Delegation (Second Edition)

This backpacker’s guide to the world of climate change negotiations sums up key challenges faced by negotiators and ways to overcome these problems.

Book December 4, 2023

The promise of nature-based infrastructure

In a world grappling with climate change and rapid urbanisation, the role of infrastructure in driving economic and social development cannot be overstated. Global infrastructure needs are immense, with Oxford Economics estimating that a staggering $3.7tn investment is needed annually. To close this gap, countries must increase the proportion of their GDP dedicated to infrastructure. Yet considering that infrastructure is responsible for 79% of total greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Office for Project Services, it is imperative that new projects not only bridge the infrastructure gap, but do so sustainably and with a low carbon footprint.

IISD in the news December 4, 2023

Statement: CETP signatories must stick to their commitment to fully prioritize international public finance for clean energy

A group of civil society organizations have released a statement calling on signatories to the Clean Energy Transition Partnership to meet their commitment to prioritize support for clean energy.

Commentary December 4, 2023

A Strategic Vision for Enhancing Naturalized Water Retention in Manitoba

Enhancing water retention infrastructure in Manitoba can provide numerous benefits, especially if it is naturalized and is located, designed, and maintained strategically.

Report December 4, 2023

COP 28 Side Event | Using Progress Reporting to Advance Your NAP: How countries track and assess progress

This event will launch a new NAP Global Network report that explores various approaches to NAP implementation, assessment, and reporting by countries worldwide. Discussions will shed light on the different systems and contexts in which progress reporting has been made to inspire and inform stakeholders about the importance of assessing progress.

Conference December 3, 2023

COP 28 Side Event | A Strategic Imperative: Advancing climate-sensitive peacebuilding

This event will examine opportunities for aligning peacebuilding and adaptation objectives, highlighting perspectives from countries and development agencies who are confronting these twin challenges on the ground.