Here you will find interesting material about sustainable agricultural supply chains:

Tools on living incomes and wages
GIZ Living Wage Costing Tool

About the Tool

On many farms or plantations, at least some workers do not earn a living wage. There is a gap between the actual wage paid and a living wage.

 

The GIZ Living Wage Costing Tool addresses this issue and offers various simulations and scenarios for closing wage gaps, including the corresponding cost implications. 

 

The tool helps producers in particular to determine the additional costs of paying a living wage and thus strengthen their negotiating position. From 2022 onwards, the tool will be tested in pilot measures of the AG des deutschen Einzelhandels for the banana sector and continuously improved on the basis of the learning experiences gained. 

 

How does it work?

If at least some workers on a farm or plantation do not receive a living wage, there are various ways to close the gap between the actual wage paid and a living wage: Strong trade unions and workers' representatives are an important lever to work towards improved wage and working conditions in the long term within the framework of collective agreements. Companies can also make a proactive contribution through their procurement practices and reward producers for high wage and labour standards. For example, through an additional price premium to cover the extra costs of paying living wages.
 
The GIZ Living Wage Costing Tool offers various simulations to analyse the direct cost implications for producers to pay workers a living wage. Different scenarios take into account the existing wage structures, i.e. differences in the remuneration of different activities on a plantation or farm. The cost implications of the respective scenarios and changes in the wage structure are clearly presented and can be compared with each other. 

 

The analysis is based on Living Wage Benchmarks from the ALIGN database, which are automatically retrieved and regularly updated for different countries and regions. Wage data for a specific plantation or farm are required and are entered by the user. The data entry system is based on the IDH Salary Matrix, with which many producers are already familiar. 

 

The tool contains a short manual on the first page.

 

This is the 5th version of the GIZ Living Wage Costing Tool. Main improvements include:

  • Improved guidance and explanation of different scenarios 
  • Manual entry of individual BM beyond Ankers
  • Improved presentation of results
  • Easy conversion of various currencies
  • Addition of scenario 5 & 6 allowing for wage increases per job category and gender specific action 

 

Additionally, the tool is now also available for download in Spanish. 

 

GIZ aims to continuously improve and expand the tool. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us at ina(at)giz.de.

 

The copyright is held by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. 

 

Developer: Nicola Nuecken, Tim K. Loos and Till Ludwig

GIZ Living Income Reference Price Estimator

About the tool

The German Act on Corporate Due Diligence in Supply Chains identifies responsible procurement and buying practices by companies as a key factor in counteracting human rights risks. This includes, among other things, the payment of fair prices and premiums that enable a life in dignity. 

But how big is the gap between actual income and different national and international benchmarks such as e.g. minimum income or living income? What is a fair price? 

 

The Living Income Reference Price Estimator developed by GIZ is designed to help companies and other users answer exactly these questions. The tool enables the calculation of reference prices in up to 3 different production scenarios at once. Thus it serves to estimate the price required to achieve various income benchmarks such as living income under different conditions.

The data basis of the tool is the ALIGN database, which contains different national and international poverty benchmarks that are retrieved and updated for different countries and regions on a regular basis. For its analysis the tool requires information on the household composition as well as aggregated annual gross margin data. A short manual can be found on the first page of the tool.  

 

Since the beginning of 2022, the tool is being used and tested in pilot measures of various projects. Based on the learnings gained, it will be continuously improved.

This is the first version of the GIZ Living Reference Price Estimator. Please make sure that you save the excel file in a secure folder, as macros are used. If you have any problems, please contact your company's IT department.

Improvements and additions to the tool are planned. Please contact us for questions or feedback at nicola.nuecken(at)giz.de.

The copyright is held by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Developer: Tim K. Loos and Nicola Nuecken

GIZ Living Income Gap Estimator

The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz) identifies responsible sourcing and purchasing practices by companies as a key factor in counteracting human rights risks. These should ensure that producers and workers at the beginning of the supply chain receive an income and/or wage that enables them to live in dignity. 

 

But how big is the gap between the actual income and national and international guidelines such as a minimum income or a living wage? 

 

The GAP Estimator Tool developed by GIZ is designed to help companies answer this question and take active steps to close the gap. The GIZ Living Income Gap Estimator provides an initial calculation of the gap between actual income and various income benchmarks such as living wage. Different national and international poverty guidelines in up to 40 different countries and regions are available. All that is needed is information on the income of the household under consideration. Depending on the wealth of information, a rough or detailed estimate of the gap can be obtained. A short instruction on how to use the tool can be found on the first page. 

This is the first version of the GIZ Gap Estimator, which will be continuously improved based on learning experiences. Please make sure you save the excel file in a safe place as macros are used to use it. If you have any problems, please contact your company's IT department. 

 

Improvements and enhancements to the tool are being planned. Please contact us for questions or feedback at nicola.nuecken(at)giz.de. 

 

The copyright is held by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. 

 

Developer: Tim K. Loos and Nicola Nuecken

Toolkit Living Income for companies

Topic: Living income 

Publisher: GIZ GmbH

Guiding steps towards living income in the supply chain 

This is a guide for companies that want to address the poverty and economic viability of smallholder farmers in their supply chains.

Toolkit Living Income for public policy makers

Publisher: Fairtrade Advocacy Office und Sustainable Food Lab 

The Role of Governments in Enabling Living Income in Global Agriculture Value Chain - Guidance for public policy makers

This Toolkit was created as guide for policy-makers interested in providing support to smallholder farmers, in an effort to close the gap between actual incomes and a Living Income in agricultural value chains. The document provides considerations and guidance in relation to both production (supply-side) and consumption (demand-side) public policies.

Newsletter Archive
Monthly Newsletter

Newsletter February 2024

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,
 

With colorful blossoms, spring is approaching. In this newsletter, we also offer you a colorful bouquet of information and hope that you can use it in your work for more sustainability in global agricultural supply chains.

As our next newsletter will be released shortly before Easter, and with the first Easter sweets already on the shelves, we would like to give you a nudge to purchase fair-traded and ecologically sustainable Easter bunnies, chocolate eggs, and flowers. By doing so, you not only bring joy to yourself and your loved ones but also support small farming families at the beginning of the supply chain.

But for now, enjoy reading this newsletter,
 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)
 

Read the Newsletter February 2024

Newsletter January 2024

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,
 

the new year is still young, but it has already got off to an eventful start. Visitors to the trade fair ‘Green Week’ were able to gain an overview of the most important topics in the field of agriculture. Numerous exciting presentations and discussions also took place at the BMZ stand. In addition, a coffee agreement was signed during the Green Week, which is intended to pave the way for a transformation of the coffee sector. 

With the new year, our Lunchbreak also entered a new round. This time, the focus was on sustainability along spice supply chains, as illustrated by our cover picture. You will also find many other interesting topics and events in this issue of our newsletter.
 
Once again, we hope you enjoy reading this issue!
 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)
 

Read the Newsletter January 2024

Newsletter November 2023

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,
 

As you can see from our cover picture, autumn has arrived and the days are getting shorter. So it’s all the more important to meet up with people and talk to get through the dark months. That’s why we took the opportunity to host a stakeholder meeting in person, which was attended by stakeholders from private sector, civil society and politics. They had intensive discussions on various topics in the field of sustainable agricultural supply chains.
 
We hope the debate will be equally lively at our forthcoming INA Lunchbreak on the national traceability system in Ghana. This newsletter will also be featuring the latest episode of our podcast and many other interesting topics and events.
 
We hope you enjoy reading the newsletter.
 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)
 

Read the Newsletter November 2023

Newsletter October 2023

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,
 

Bananas from Ecuador are not just the theme of our header image, they also win prizes. The German Retailers Working Group on Living Income and Living Wages has received the Fairtrade Living Wage Leader award for its commitment in the banana sector. We and our partners are all very proud of this achievement.
 
The next INA Lunchbreak, which you can attend in a few days, will explore opportunities to minimise deforestation and forest degradation. You may also read studies and expert reports by INA, go to the cinema in Bonn – or finally bake a loaf of banana bread again.
 
As always, we hope you find this an interesting read.
 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)
 

Read the Newsletter October 2023

Newsletter September 2023

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,
 

The header image for this month’s newsletter comes to us from Ghana: spirulina is considered a superfood. Consisting of algae, it is said to contain high levels of protein and vitamins; you can decide for yourself whether it lives up to its reputation. Meanwhile, we are grateful for this INA logo from the Volta region. Why not send us an INA logo of your own, maybe made of something harvested from your own field or garden?
 
This month, we take a look at cocoa as a raw material with a supply chain that is unfortunately still rife with child labour. We also drop in on students who examine agricultural supply chains, discuss making smallholders more resilient to crises, and much more.
 

As always, we hope you enjoy the read.
 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)
 

Read the Newsletter September 2023

Newsletter August 2023

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,
 

In discussions at the Open Day held by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Berlin, during the upcoming Lunchbreak, on LinkedIn and Instagram or in personal conversations – there are many opportunities to encounter INA and #ichwillfair.  We are happy to continue supporting you in your efforts to achieve greater sustainability in global agricultural supply chains and improve the living conditions of smallholders.
 
The header image for this newsletter comes to us from Ecuador: it shows the INA logo in banana leaves. We invite you to submit an INA logo made of an agricultural raw material of your choice to ina@giz.de to brighten up our newsletter.
 
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

 
Read the August 2023 Newsletter

Newsletter July 2023

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,
 

Competitions, handbooks, annual reports, videos and a podcast – this month’s INA newsletter once again has it all.
 
We wish you an excellent summer!  
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

 
Read the July 2023 Newsletter

Newsletter June 2023

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,  

 
Once again, the INA special newsletter on drought is extremely topical during these dry summer weeks. Agriculture is under pressure around the world, and anyone growing fruit and vegetables in their garden or on their balcony can clearly see the impact of climate change and also appreciate the effort that goes into agricultural products. But the consequences for our domestic environment have completely different dimensions at an international level, where it is also clear that sustainable global agricultural supply chains are the priority, along with fair incomes and wages.
 
Our newsletter contains event reviews and previews as well as book, film and excursion recommendations for the coming summer months. We hope you get to enjoy some wonderful agricultural products and have a relaxing holiday.

  
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

 
Read the June 2023 Newsletter

Newsletter May 2023

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,  

 
The EU regulation on deforestation-free products is well on its way and has now been adopted with a significant majority by the Council of the European Union. The INA team celebrated and is very happy about this important step towards better forest protection.

 
Read more about the EU regulation, about clothing and art, coffee and cocoa, about breakfast and lunch, palm oil and podcasts, and much more in this pick-and-mix newsletter.

  
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

 
Read the May 2023 Newsletter

Newsletter April 2023

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,  

 
Spring has sprung in Europe, buds and blossoms are appearing on the trees and the first warm rays of sunshine are here to lift your spirits. Another uplifting bit of news is that the European Parliament has adopted the EU regulation on deforestation-free products with a clear majority, voting to safeguard trees around the world so they can continue to bud, blossom and protect the climate and biodiversity.

 
Our newsletter has more on this and other current topics. We wish you all a sunny and happy month of May! 

 
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

 
Read the April 2023 Newsletter

Newsletter March 2023

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,  

 
With Easter just around the corner, we present our customary bouquet of due diligence topics and a basket full of fair-trade Easter chocolate. 

 
This month our team said goodbye, and then hello to some new but familiar faces. In addition, read on to find out about innovative projects in the coffee sector, where you can discover sustainable coffee in Berlin and cocoa supply chains at the Chocolate Museum, how tasty and sustainable Amazon chocolate is made, what sustainable palm oil means for due diligence obligations, what German football clubs are doing on Indian cotton fields, what is going on with working conditions in ports and on the high seas, why plastic waste is going astray, how children’s rights fit into business principles, and what feminist strategy is doing in development cooperation.

 
With our usual variety of topics, we wish you a lovely spring and trust that you will choose fair supply chains when you buy your Easter treats. 

 
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

 
Read the March 2023 Newsletter

Newsletter February 2023

­Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,
­
What are German Bundesliga clubs doing in India? How can traceability work in agricultural supply chains? What is the EU planning to do to protect tropical forests? And will there be coffee available at the coffee sector meetings?
­
Our INA Newsletter once again contains a plethora of fascinating information. We hope you enjoy reading it! By the way, you will only find the answer to the coffee question if you join us in Berlin!
­
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

­
Read the February 2023 Newsletter

Newsletter January 2023

 

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains, 

Agricultural supply chains are a good example of what the interplay of many complex elements can look like: social sustainability, protection of biodiversity, preservation and regeneration of natural resources, all within the framework of responsible procurement. It can be complicated at times, but we want to continue setting ourselves ambitious goals for this year – together with you. Practical tools and guidelines can support the realisation of these goals. 

The year starts out with some significant developments: in the political framework, the new German legislation on due diligence in supply chains (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG) entered into force. In the articles of this newsletter, we will introduce helpful tools and guidelines for establishing living incomes and wages, food security, biodiversity and sustainable procurement in your own supply chains. In our current podcast episode, we discuss how our topics can be communicated to the young generation through sustainable education. We used our presence at the International Green Week to vividly present many of our issues and explain them in more detail in personal conversations.

We hope that you will be able to successfully realise your goals and positive resolutions for the New Year and gladly support you with the programmes of the INA. 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

Read the January Newsletter

Newsletter November 2022

What’s the first thing you do when you get up? Here at INA, the day usually starts with the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and it’s quite likely that the same is true for you. With an annual consumption of 162 litres per person, coffee is undeniably Germany’s favourite beverage, and over half the country’s coffee drinkers enjoy more than one cup a day.
 
But child labour is still rampant in the coffee sector. Germany’s new Corporate Due Diligence Supply Chain Act (LkSG) is finally here to put a stop to that, and our “Online nur Kännchen” format will explore the issue in December. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) has also sprung into action and provided corporations and NGOs with useful tools and reports to help businesses increase ecological and social sustainability in the coffee sector. 
 
At our INA stakeholders’ meeting in Berlin, only sustainable and fairly traded coffee by Angelique’s Finest was served. But why not try something else for a change? Especially in winter, fairly traded and sustainable teas are a real pleasure. We at INA made a lovely hot tea from the mint we grow on our own balcony while we wrote this newsletter.
 
Enjoy the read!
 
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the November Newsletter

Newsletter October 2022

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,
­
Maybe it’s due to the cooler autumn temperatures that cocoa is the subject of multiple items in this newsletter. A training course for teachers in Cologne highlights that chocolate as a hot drink has a long supply chain and an even longer history, while the vast amount of information now being published on Germany’s supply chain due diligence act warms our hearts: it helps companies prepare for this important law and improve the circumstances of people and the environment at the beginning of agricultural supply chains.
 
We hope you enjoy our newsletter, perhaps with a hot cup of fair trade cocoa after a pleasant autumn stroll.
 
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the October Newsletter

Newsletter September 2022

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

We want to celebrate with you! Here at INA, the festivities have already begun – and there’s plenty to cheer about. The European Parliament has voted in favour of an ambitious position on the upcoming EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains. All eyes are now on the trilogue in October, where major decisions could be taken for our future. We’ll keep you updated on the outcome.

We also have an in-house event to celebrate. Seventy episodes of our podcast have now been released, and while the first few instalments were a little amateurish and home-made, the anniversary episode was broadcast from the taz canteen in Berlin with Marie Nasemann as a celebrity guest!

We hope you too have something to celebrate, maybe a minor or even a major victory in the fight for more sustainability in global supply chains.

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the September Newsletter

Newsletter August 2022

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains, 

Change is a constant – it’s a part of life, one that is sometimes hard and sometimes quite easy to bear. Change is currently apparent on a large scale – in our climate and especially in extreme weather events. But it is also apparent on a smaller scale, for example in desiccated flowerbeds that will need to be heavily watered if they are to survive. This is perhaps a reflection of the aforementioned large-scale change and the difficulties facing farmers around the world.

These changes are at the heart of our work at the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains. We want to actively support people. A positive change that will help us do so is that access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment has finally been declared a universal human right. That’s what we are hoping to achieve: to counter negative changes with positive change. INA’s new project “Digital Integration of Agricultural Supply Chains Alliance (DIASCA)” has taken on this task as it pertains to Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Law (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG).

That’s why our newsletter tells you every month what has changed for us and in global agricultural supply chains – on a small scale, on a large scale, for the worse or for the better.

Enjoy the read!

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the August Newsletter

Newsletter Juli 2022

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

The INA team was abroad, and there too we came across our two main topics of living incomes and deforestation-free supply chains: in a small church in England, living wages and living income for all are included in prayer. And in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, we saw paintings by British painter David Hockney, showing trees in countless colours and shapes, flanked by a quote from the artist:

“Trees are the largest manifestation of life-force we see. No two trees are the same, like us. We are all a little bit different inside and look all a little bit different outside.”

Taking this view can be painful when 13 million hectares of forest are cut down every year. Luckily, the EU Environment Council and the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment have already established their positions on an upcoming EU regulation on deforestation in agricultural supply chains. Meanwhile, OECD and FAO are working with stakeholders to create a handbook on utilising due diligence requirements to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. Progress is apparent in many places, in many more however isn’t. Professional football player Selina Cerci is setting a good example and collaborated with INA to raise awareness of the use of natural rubber in footballs. Things also changed in the banana sector this month. For more on that and other exciting topics, read our INA newsletter for July.

We hope that you return from your summer travels with renewed energy for your work for more sustainability in global agricultural supply chains. Feel free to write to us where you encounter this issue - we look forward to receiving your holiday greetings. 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the July Newsletter

Newsletter June 2022

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

The first swelteringly hot days have come and gone, and summer is in full swing. But there’s no summer slump at INA! A lot happened last month: Our High Level Event represented an important step towards achieving living incomes and wages along global supply chains: Germany, the Netherlands and now also Belgium are advocating for EU legislation on living wages and incomes. And we also have plenty of interesting events and exciting news lined up for July; our newsletter will tell you more. 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the June Newsletter

Newsletter May 2022

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

Our aim is to achieve greater sustainability in global agricultural supply chains and improve the living conditions of smallholders. We can only achieve this, however, by working together with businesses, organisations and local partners. The INA would like to create incentives and structures for this collaboration. Last month, we launched two new funding options that aim to support innovative projects for sustainable agricultural supply chains. You can find out more about them in this newsletter. We look forward to your application.

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the May Newsletter

Newsletter April 2022

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

May is almost here, spring flowers are in full bloom and the trees are in bud. This newsletter explains how we can ensure that trees will continue to blossom and agricultural produce will reach our tables in a fair and sustainable manner in future. Maybe you can launch a very specific, innovative project for sustainable, climate-friendly agricultural supply chains – funding for this is available from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Our newsletter provides information about this – as well as about upcoming events, the latest news and interesting facts about global agricultural supply chains.

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the April Newsletter

Newsletter March 2022

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

The war of aggression on Ukraine has dominated world affairs and the lives of many people for over a month now. In addition to the terrible suffering in Ukraine itself, the effects of the war are also making themselves felt around the world: Ukrainians are fleeing their country, oil and gas prices are rising, and grain is in short supply. The latter affects mainly Africa and the Middle East, where the majority of wheat is imported from Russia or Ukraine. As a result, the conflict threatens the food security of millions and millions of people in these regions. Our podcast “From Field to Shelf” takes a closer look at the war’s impact on global food supplies.

As usual, our newsletter also contains information about upcoming events, the latest news and interesting facts around global agricultural supply chains.

Read the March Newsletter 

Newsletter February 2022

Dear friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

here in the Rhineland and in many other parts of Germany, the carnival season is in full swing. And the topics in our newsletter are just as colourful and varied as the carnival.
 

In February, around 150 participants gathered in the fourth part of our event series for a joint INA-Lunchbreak on the topic of standards and certifications. We are pleased that the series has been so well received and are taking this as an opportunity to offer you further practical input on the implementation of due diligence in the coming months.

There is also news on the tools on living incomes and wages developed by GIZ. The Living Wage Costing Tool has received an update and the Living Income Reference Price Estimator is now available online on our website. You can read more about the tools in our article below.
 

We hope you enjoy reading our newsletter. 
 

Your Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

Read the February Newsletter

Newsletter Januar 2022

Dear friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

 

how fast time flies! Didn't we just open our Christmas presents and toast to the New Year? And suddenly, here we are already, at the end of the first month in 2022.
 

The fact that January flew by so quickly might also be because it was particularly eventful for INA: Our website appears in new splendor. Feel free to take a look!
 

Another highlight was the launch of the German retail sector's banana project on living wages and the conclusion of the audit by the Bundeskartellamt, Germanys Federal Cartel Office. There were no concerns about a voluntary commitment to common standards on wages: "Antitrust law does not stand in the way of cooperations to achieve sustainability goals - quite the opposite is the case," announced the President of the Federal Cartel Office.
 

And things remain exciting - last Friday in the podcast we talked about the new line-up in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and hopes for future government work. In the new edition of our INA Lunchbreak, we also take a look into the future, in this case at the upcoming Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, specifically discussing the role of standard systems.
 

We look forward to another exciting year with you and hope you enjoy reading the news in our newsletter..

 

Your Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

 

Read the January Newsletter

 

Newsletter November 2021

Dear friends of the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative,

fresh morning dew, pine tree, cinnamon, cardamom and mulled wine - winter is a season that can be wonderfully described by Christmas smells. But before we dive into the coziest time of the year, we would like to take a look at the important events of the past month.

The World Climate Conference in Glasgow (COP26) was much discussed and left us with mixed feelings. Announcements on the end of fossil fuels and global forest protection were welcomed, but the agreements were criticized for being too non-binding. Leonie Bremer from Fridays for Future sums up COP26 in our podcast.

A Christmas season without chocolate? Hardly imaginable. But what do we actually know about the origin of cocoa and the people who grow it? And what can we do about poverty and child labor in the cocoa sector?
The exhibition "Bitter Beans - Sweet Pleasure?" informs about the connections and ways to a good, sustainably produced cocoa and wants to draw attention to child labor in cocoa cultivation with the latest publication. Click here for the video.

We wish you a peaceful start into the Advent season and much pleasure reading the news in our newsletter.

Your Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the November Newsletter 2021

Newsletter October 2021

Dear friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

Autumn is here and, as so often, nature delights us with its play of colors: with red leaves, colorful pumpkins and shiny brown chestnuts. Fittingly, in the context of development policy, October was dedicated to the diversity of our flora and fauna.
The UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 15) took place this month to discuss the preservation of this diversity and future possibilities for action. Development Minister Müller called for the protection of biodiversity to be once again a top priority worldwide.

INA has also dedicated itself to the topic of species protection in recent weeks. In our podcast, Stefan Schmitz of the Global Crop Diversity Trust talks about preserving crop diversity.
In the new issue of INAontheground, we travel virtually to India to   report on the initiatives that the smallholder farmers are working with in order  to make cotton cultivation more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

We wish you colorful autumn days and much pleasure reading our news with a cup of warming tea or coffee.

Your Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the October Newsletter 2021

Newsletter September 2021

Dear friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

 

Autumn is knocking on the door and the days are getting shorter. However, that's no reason for premature winter blues, quite the opposite: September was all about the Fair Week. For 20 years, the largest campaign week for fair trade in Germany offers various regional events for visitors on topics related to sustainable development. In the coming two years, the focus will be on "Shaping the future fairly - #Fairtrade for human rights worldwide".

 

This month, the INA channels also reported on the contribution Fair Trade makes to decent working conditions and sustainable business. On our Instagram channel or the blog at ichwillfair.de, you can get an insight into our experiences during the fair week. Listen to the podcast to hear how experts Prof. Dr. Melanie Jäger-Erben (University of Berlin) and Laura Wolters (Forum Fairer Handel) look at the annual theme of the Fair Week and assess a possible trend reversal.

 

We wish you a golden October and, last but not least, much pleasure reading!

 

Your Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) 

Read the September Newsletter 2021

Newsletter August 2021

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,  ­

climate change has been progressing faster in recent decades than before, according to a finding of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. Scientists are observing changes throughout the Earth's climate system – in the atmosphere, in the oceans, on ice floes and on land. A human influence can now be clearly demonstrated. Concrete impacts such as weather and climate extremes are occurring in all regions of the world. How the climate might change in the coming decades depends above all on consumer behavior and the reduction of emissions.

Hear how experts assess the findings on climate change and extreme events and how companies in the cosmetic industry try to tackle these issues in our podcast. Also read what news and events the late summer brings.

We wish you a few last rays of summer sunshine, a successful September and, last but not least, much pleasure reading!

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

Read the August Newsletter 2021

Newsletter July 2021

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,  ­

Products labelled organic, fair and sustainable are everywhere – but the differences are still massive. Consumers’ purchasing choices are only the last in a long chain of decisions. Companies and the retailers themselves must also meet their responsibility to ensure that fair trade is given more space on supermarket shelves.

Listen to our podcast to find out whom experts consider responsible for sustainable consumption. Meanwhile, our newsletter brings you the latest news and events for the summer months.

We wish you all a relaxing, sunny summer. Enjoy the read!

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

Read the July Newsletter 2021

Newsletter June 2021

Dear Friends of the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative,­

The summer brings us an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Anyone who has a garden, a balcony or even just a herb planter will know how long it takes from sowing a seed to harvesting a crop. How much time and effort you must put in until you are rewarded with your first handful of home-grown strawberries or your first head of lettuce. A lot of work goes into agricultural products that come to us from abroad, too. And for smallholders, that work is not a horticultural hobby, but intended to secure their family’s livelihood. To ensure that their efforts – and some other endeavors – are somewhat more successful in future, the German parliament passed the supply chain law in mid-June that initially places obligations on large companies. Surely it is only a first step on the way to fair and sustainable global agricultural supply chains. The fact that a kilo of apples from northern Germany costs more than a kilo of bananas from Ecuador should provide food for thought as we work in our own gardens, and especially when we purchase agricultural products.

We wish you a bountiful, horticultural, happy and sunny summer!

The Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative (INA)

Read the June Newsletter 2021

Newsletter May 2021

­Dear Friends of the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative,­

Have you ever eaten chocolate you accompanied all the way from the cocoa bean to your snack drawer at home? That’s what we’re doing right now, and we couldn’t be more pleased. You see, the chocolate from our “Living income in tree crops” project hit supermarket shelves in mid-May! Our newsletter tells you more about the reason we’re eating all this chocolate, and also brings you the latest news about our podcast and from the world of agricultural supply chains.

The Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative (INA)

Read the May Newsletter 2021

Newsletter April 2021

Dear Friends of the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative,­

This spring brings a wealth of events! Germany’s supply chain law is coming, and so we present tips and tools for those who would like to start working towards sustainable supply chains. We also highlight examples from companies and suggest specific projects. As always, our podcast is full of interesting interviews – this time we explore the journey not only from field, but also from sea to shelf. We hope you enjoy reading, listening and watching.

The Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative (INA)

Read the April Newsletter 2021

Newsletter March 2021

Dear Friends of the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative,  

­It’s that time of year again: the time for chocolate rabbits and confectionary eggs – and therefore the time for us to appeal to you to choose fair and ecologically sustainable products when you buy your Easter treats. You will make not only yourself and your loved ones, but also the cocoa farming families at the beginning of the supply chain happy. At the risk of destroying your faith in the Easter bunny: it always begins with a person who has to make a living from their work.

The Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative (INA) 

Read the March Newsletter 2021

Newsletter February 2021

­Dear Friends of the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative,  ­

Finally! Or not? Or sort of, maybe? The supply chain law is a hot-button topic, and the recent announcement that the government has reached an agreement on the controversial law has reignited the debate. We will continue to observe the discussion as it unfolds, and are very pleased to hear of all the companies that are already working to make their global supply chains fair and sustainable today.

The Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative (INA) 

Read the February Newsletter 2021

Newsletter January 2021

Welcome to the year 2021, and to the latest issue of our newsletter!

What are your resolutions for the new year? To consume more ethically? Then you’re right on trend. As you are if you’ve resolved to listen to our podcast or become one of 1.2 million EU commenters. Alongside these current developments, we as always highlight a range of events, reports and articles relating to sustainable agricultural supply chains.

The Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative (INA) 

Read the January Newsletter 2021

Newsletter December 2020

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains,

Christmas is just around the corner and we are bidding farewell to this strange year with a varied selection of interesting podcasts, good news from the orange juice sector, pleasing progress concerning a joint statement on an EU consultation and lots of other INA information.

We would like to wish all of you a very happy and peaceful Christmas! We look forward to continuing to provide you with details of important dates, publications and other information on agricultural supply chains in the year ahead – and we hope to meet you in person at an event in the near future.

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)

Read the November Newsletter 2020

Newsletter November 2020

Dear INA stakeholders,­

Autumn is now firmly upon us, and the year is slowly drawing to a close. The days are getting shorter, and lockdown offers an opportunity to read a good book while enjoying a (fairly traded) cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. If you are in need of a little more reading material, may we suggest our latest newsletter? Once again, we have compiled an interesting selection for you to read, listen to and look at on the topic of sustainable agricultural supply chains. We highly recommend reading it, and we hope you enjoy doing so.

Your Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative

Read the November Newsletter 2020

Newsletter October 2020

Dear INA stakeholders,­

INA has some more news for you this month. Apart from offering information to read as well as listen and subscribe to, our Newsletter is being released in two languages for the first time. We would be thrilled to have you distribute the English version to your international network. Another new feature is the News update: we browse the media and put together a selection of interesting articles for you. Enjoy the read!

Your INA 

Read the October Newsletter 2020

Special Newsletter

INA Special Newsletter:  Postcolonialism and the decolonisation of development cooperation

Postcolonialism and the decolonisation of development cooperation are frequent topics of discussion in today’s politics. The core issue is that the impact of over 500 years of colonialism does not end with formal decolonisation; centuries of exploitation and dehumanisation have left their mark on the formerly occupied territories and continue to define our trade relationships to this day.


Policy-makers in German development cooperation increasingly acknowledge the country’s responsibility in this regard: in its new Africa Strategy, issued in January 2023, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) expressly commits to examining the consequences of Germany’s colonial history by questioning ideas about development, interacting on an equal footing and avoiding paternalism in cooperation. BMZ’s development policy aims to break down racist structures and avoid colonial continuities. A power-sensitive exploration of Germany’s role and colonial history is also a major element of the ministry’s new strategy for feminist development policy published in March 2023.


Agricultural supply chains play a crucial role in the current debate around decolonising development cooperation. The mainly export-oriented production of bananas, coffee, cocoa and many other agricultural goods is rooted in colonial legacies. In African, Asian and South American countries, profit-oriented colonisation led to the creation of monocultures, to the enslavement of people and to the destruction of small rural structures. As an initiative operating within these colonially influenced systems, INA as a network of actors in agricultural supply chains must confront the issue of colonialism to achieve our common goal of ensuring the wellbeing of the people at the beginning of global agricultural supply chains. And as a GIZ project, INA reflects on its work in a power-sensitive way. Many of the findings from our “Decolonize INA” work have been integrated into the following newsletter.


This special newsletter examines our cooperation within agricultural supply chains from a postcolonial perspective and highlights why it is necessary to decolonise our work and global trade as a whole. It contains links to further information, academic studies, video and podcast recommendations to help you get started with this topic and inspire you to critically reflect on your own work in agricultural supply chains.


We hope you find it of interest.
The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains Team

Go to the Special Newsletter Postcolonialism and the decolonisation of development cooperation

INA Special Newsletter:  Soil & Drought

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA),

The year is drawing to a close, and for many people, this is a time to pause and take stock. To reflect on their personal goals and dreams, on what they experienced over the past year and what they would like to take with them into the next. When we at INA look back on this year, there’s one issue that immediately comes to mind: drought. 

The subject seems distant in the winter months, but that doesn’t mean we can just forget about it. Drought is usually associated with heat waves, but is actually caused by a lack of precipitation. In Spain, 47 percent of the country are currently suffering prolonged drought: in Catalonia, the church and remains of a village that are usually beneath the waters of a reservoir now stand on dry land again. This year’s World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was held on 17 June 2022 in Madrid, in a country that has already had to impose water restrictions on its industry and agriculture.

Our motto at INA is that we want people and the environment at the beginning of the supply chain to thrive. But drought makes that impossible. The population of the Global South is especially affected by the massive repercussions of drought and soil degradation. Ethiopia is currently seeing its worst drought in 40 years; people are dying of malnutrition and starvation because it will not rain. These catastrophes are not local, but global in scope. Perhaps we should rename the neighbourly love we associate with Christmas to global love. After all, that’s what it’s actually supposed to mean.

Enjoy the read! 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains Team

Go to the Special Newsletter Soil & Drought

Special Newsletter Gender

Dear Friends of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA),

Gender, feminism, gender equality, feminist foreign and development policy – all these terms feature prominently in current political debate. Despite the progress made in recent decades, we are still a long way from complete gender equality in Germany, the EU or any other country around the world. Patriarchal structures and an unequal distribution of power continue to dominate our societies. Identifying and addressing the underlying norms, values and root causes of gender inequality is an essential part of the struggle for equal rights.
 
Exploring gender issues is also crucial in the context of current development policy. Only if women are considered and included in every respect will we create successful policies that strengthen and advance society as a whole.
 
That’s why the issue of gender is extremely important to us at INA, as especially women in agriculture and at the beginning of supply chains are often disadvantaged. A major starting point for feminist development policy is fair distribution of power and resources, but any such policy must focus on joint efforts by women as well as men to achieve gender justice. Most recently, the covid pandemic made evident that existing inequalities were only exacerbated during the crisis. Including gender issues should therefore be fundamental to corporate due diligence requirements.
 
Our special newsletter focuses on this topical matter and highlights the ways in which gender and sustainable agricultural supply chains are connected. We also offer links to further information and academic studies as well as book and podcast recommendations that provide an easy introduction to the subject.
 
Enjoy the read! 

The Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains Team

Go to the Special Newsletter Gender

Special Newsletter Climate Change

­­Dear Friends of the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative,

­A long, long time ago, almost beyond memory, young people took to the streets every Friday to fight for their future and against climate change. Leading the charge was Greta Thunberg, erstwhile figurehead of the youth movement that called itself “Fridays for Future”. Now the streets are deserted due to covid, and Ms Thunberg is nowhere to be seen.

What remains is the judgement issued by Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court on the government’s obligation to protect future generations – and with it, an urgent need to act. But assigning responsibility is difficult when consequences are abstract and impossible to directly ascertain.

The global community thus finds itself sinking into a kind of inertia that is entirely inadequate to the pace at which our production, our consumption and our energy generation would have to change.

This attitude also fails to take into account that limiting climate change is inextricably linked to the issue of global justice. The consequences of climate change hit those hardest who are already living in poverty and whose livelihoods rely mainly on agriculture. In a system of global interdependency we cannot be indifferent to their plight.

This special newsletter therefore invites you to join us in taking a topical look at how development cooperation, and specifically the subject of sustainable (agricultural) supply chains, is linked to climate change. We present events, projects and impressions that look ahead rather than back.

Enjoy the read!

The Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative Team

Go to the Special Newsletter Climate Change

Special Newsletter Living Income

Dear Friends of the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains Initiative,­

most of our readers will find it difficult to imagine having to get by on an income below subsistence level. But for many people in producing countries, who stand at the beginning of global agricultural supply chains, the struggle for a living income is a cold, hard reality: they are unable to secure an adequate livelihood through their work. Among other issues this leads to a vicious cycle of malnutrition, insufficient education and missing medical care. The reasons for this are manifold; ultimately however they are structural in nature.

In a world of globally networked supply chains it must be clear that doing business also entails a responsibility to conduct human rights due diligence. It follows that the subject of living incomes and wages as a subset of such due diligence is part of this responsibility. There are good examples of organisations that are already meeting this obligation. The debate surrounding statutory regulations on human rights due diligence as well as the recently passed draft legislation for a German due diligence law however show, that much remains to be done.

The question then however often becomes, “How”? Answering that very question is the purpose of this special newsletter on living incomes. We offer an overview of some specific tools and platforms providing introductory information on the topic and present a number of excellent initiatives that are working to enable producers to achieve a living income.

We hope you enjoy the read.

The Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative Team

Go to the Special Newsletter Living Income

Studies/Guidelines
for Beginners

Thema: Traceability of supply chains

Publisher: Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains & C-Lever.org

Step-by-Step-Guide for Successful Implementation of Traceability Systems in Agricultural Supply Chains

The guideline briefly touches upon what traceability is and the key aspects that contribute to effective traceability. It further elaborates on the steps that practitioners can employ to implement traceability in their (agricultural) value chains. These are complemented by a collection of FAQs and a checklist.  

Topic: Forest Monitoring and Remote Sensing 

Publisher: Swift Geospatial

Forest Monitoring: A Remote Sensing Approach

The production of high-quality and reliable forest data is crucial to the fight against  deforestation and forest degradation. The application of remote sensing technologies to forest monitoring further improves the efficiency and accuracy of forest-related information. This handbook aims to provide a concise introduction to the application of remote sensing  for forest monitoring, with a particular focus on the tropics. 

Topic: Living Income

Publisher: Living Income Community of Practice

Guiding steps towards living income in the supply chain 

This is a guide for companies seeking to address the poverty and economic viability of smallholder farmers in their supply chains.

Topic: Sector analysis of sustainable palm oil supply chains  

Publisher: Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil 

Analysis of the palm oil market in Germany in 2019 - Summary of findings 

The Palm Oil Market Study surveyed current market data on the direct and indirect consumption of sustainable and non-sustainable palm oil, palm kernel oil and their derivatives in Germany in 2019. For this purpose, the palm oil market was divided into five sectors with a total of 23 segments in which palm oil and palm kernel oil are consumed or used as an ingredient in products. The data is based on interviews with companies, market experts, associations and institutions as well as statistical information, publications by organizations, associations, scientific studies and product information. 

Topic: Sector analysis of sustainable palm oil supply chains  

Publisher: Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil 

Analysis of the palm oil market in Germany in 2019 - Summary of findings 

The Palm Oil Market Study surveyed current market data on the direct and indirect consumption of sustainable and non-sustainable palm oil, palm kernel oil and their derivatives in Germany in 2019. For this purpose, the palm oil market was divided into five sectors with a total of 23 segments in which palm oil and palm kernel oil are consumed or used as an ingredient in products. The data is based on interviews with companies, market experts, associations and institutions as well as statistical information, publications by organizations, associations, scientific studies and product information. 

Thema: Banane, Preisbilung

Herausgeber: Süwding Indsitut für Ökonomie und Ökumene

Preisbildung im Bananensektor

Thema: Kakao 

Herausgeber: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)

Kakaoausstellung 

Auf der Website finden Sie Informationen zu einer Ausstellung des BMZ über Kakaoanbau - wie er nachhaltiger werden kann und welche Rolle jeder Einzelne dabei spielt. Außerdem finden Sie informative Broschüren und Publikationen.

Thema: Digitalisierung in der Landwirtschaft 

Herausgeber: Sonderinitiative Eine Welt ohne Hunger

Let's grow digital 

Anhand verschiedener Artikel werden die Bedeutung und die Herausforderungen der Digitalisierung als einer der wichtigsten Schlüssel im Kampf gegen Hunger aufgezeigt.

Thema: Kakao, Preisbildung

Herausgeber: Südwind-Institut für Ökonomie und Ökumene

Preisbildung im Kakaosektor

Thema: Entwaldungsfreie Lieferketten 

Herausgeber: Franziska Rau und Gerhard Langenberger, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Reaching zero deforestation in supply chains – why we need a jurisdictional approach

Anhand eines Pilotprojektes in Indonesien wird aufgezeigt, warum ein ganzheitlicher Ansatz und Partnerschaften zwischen verschiedenen Akteursgruppen notwendig sind, um Entwaldung in Lieferketten zu reduzieren.

Thema: Kaffee, Existenzsichernde Einkommen

Herausgeber: Südwind Institut für Ökonomie und Ökumene

Auf ein Tässchen - Soziale und ökologische Herausforderungen im Kaffeeanbau

Aus einem Luxusgut wurde ein preiswertes Alltagsprodukt: Kaffee ist heutzutage das am meisten konsumierte Getränk in Deutschland. Die Senkung des Preises für die Konsu-ment*innen wurde zu einem erheblichen Teil von den Bäuerinnen und Bauern bezahlt: Der inflationsbereinigte Kaffeepreis war zwischen 1960 und 1989 ungefähr doppelt so hoch wie in den drei folgenden Jahrzehnten.

Thema: Neue Arbeitswelten

Herausgeber: Deutsches Global Compact Netzwerk 

Arbeitsstandards 2.0 - Flexibilisierung, Optimierung oder Marginalisierung?

Die Studie beleuchtet die  gegenwärtigen Ausgestaltungen von Arbeitgeber-Arbeitnehmer-Verhältnissen.

Thema: Nachhaltige Beschaffung

Herausgeber: Christliche Initiative Romero

Blick über den Tellerrand - Sozial verantwortliche öffentliche Beschaffung von Lebensmitteln

Ein Überblick über Siegel und Handlungsmöglichkeiten für eine nachhaltige öffentliche Beschaffung. 

Thema: Menschenrechte in Globalen Lieferketten

Herausgeber: Treaty Alliance Deutschland

Briefing Papier zum Zero-Draft

Eine Abhandlung zum Abkommensentwurf der UN für die Erarbeitung eines rechtsverbindlichen Instruments zur Einhaltung menschenrechtlicher Standards durch transnationale Unternehmen.

Thema: Geschlechtergerechtigkeit, Living Income

Herausgeber: FAO, KIT, Twin

Changing the Terms of Womens' Engagement in Cocoa and Coffee Supply Chains

Die Studie geht auf acht Fallbeispiel ein, die Erfahrungen und Good-practices zu gendersensitiven Ansätzen für die Förderung des Kakao und Kaffeesektors darstellen. Der Fokus liegt hierbei auf der Bildung von Produzent*innenorganisationen sowie dem Zugang zu Investitions- und Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten. Die Fallbeispiele basieren auf den Rückmeldungen der Teilnehmenden an einem Workshop mit dem Titel Promoting Inclusive and Gender-Sensitive Producer Organizations and Agricultural Investments in Cocoa and Coffee Value Chains", der durch die Food and Agriculture Organisation der Vereinten Nationen (FAO), die niederländische NGO Twin sowie das Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) durchgeführt wurde.

Thema: Anpassung an den Klimawandel

Herausgeber: Aidenvironment

The Climate-Smart Agriculture Papers

Eine Zusammenstellung verschiedener Papers zum Thema Climate-Smart Agriculture. Diese reichen von der Beschreibung der allgemeinen Problemstellung bis zu Praxisbeispielen und Lösungsansätzen. Interessant ist insbesondere Teil V, der einen Abschnitt zu Multi-Stakeholder Ansätzen enthält.

Thema: Digitalisierung, ITC4Ag

Herausgeber: CTA

The Digitalisation of African Agriculture Report

Die Studie stellt einen ersten Schritt dazu an Wirkungen digitaler Anwendungen in der afrikanischen Landwirtschaft darzustellen. Damit soll unter anderem eine Grundlage für entsprechende Investitionen geschaffen werden. Regelmäßige Upates sind geplant.

Thema: Digitalisierung

Herausgeber: Deutsches Global Compact Netzwerk 

Digitalisierung – Mensch versus Maschine?

Eine Darstellung davon, wie sich die Digitalisierung auf die zukünftige Gestaltung der Arbeits- und Produktionsprozesse auswirkt.
Die Studie führt sowohl Chancen als auch Herausforderungen auf.

Thema: Unternehmensstandards

Herausgeber: Mighty Earth

Easter Buyer's Guide for Environmental Chocolate

Eine Aufstellung von insgesamt 57 Retailern, Zulieferern und Hersteller in einem Nachhaltigkeitsranking.

Thema: Kinderarbeit

Herausgeber: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Malawi

Estimating the economic incentives necessary for eliminating child labor in Ghanaian cocoa production

Die Studie beschäftigt sich mit dem Zusammenhang zwischen höheren Preisen und der Vermeidung von Kinderarbeit im Kakaosektor.

Thema: Regulierung und nachhaltige Entwicklung

Herausgeber: Fairtrade Advocacy Office

EU Competition Law and Sustainability in Food Systems - Addressing the Broken Links

Eine Darstellung des europäischen Wettbewerbsrecht. Darüber hinaus zeigt die Studie, wie eine Umgestaltung dabei helfen könnte, Märkte nachhaltiger zu gestalten.

Thema: Nachhaltige Agrarlieferketten

Herausgeber: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftlicher Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung

Factsheet: "Faire Lieferketten sind möglich"

Das Factsheet vermittelt einen Einblick in die Arbeit des Bundesministeriums für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) um globale Wertschöpfungsketten nachhaltiger zu gestalten.

Thema: Kaffee

Herausgeber: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)

Factsheet: Kaffee - Das Lieblingsgetränk der Deutschen: Unser Engagement für eine nachhaltige Kaffeeproduktion

Das Factsheet stellt das Engagement des BMZ für nachhaltige Kaffee-Wertschöpfungsketten dar. Dazu werden zunächst die Herausforderungen im Sektor dargestellt und im Anschluss, verschiedene Lösungswege aufgezeigt.

Thema: Living Income

Herausgeber: ISEALSustainable Food LabGIZ

From Living Wage to Living Income 

Das Dokument beinhaltet verschiedene Fallbeispiele zu Korruption und Überlegungen zur Verwendung der Anker-Methode zur Kalkulation von existenzsichernden Einkommen. Es dient als eine Art Schulungshandbuch zur Korruptionsvermeidung.

Thema: Kakao

Herausgeber: Südwind Institut

Kakaobarometer 2018

Ein anschaulicher Überblick über aktuelle Entwicklungen und Trends im Kakaosektor.

Thema: Supermärkte, Einzelhandel, Preisgestaltung

Herausgeber: Oxfam, Februar 2021

Knebelverträge im Lebensmittelhandel - Wie Supermarktketten Lieferanten unfaire Handelspraktiken und Dumpingpreise aufzwingen

Das durch Oxfam erstellte Factsheet bietet einen Überblick über unfaire Handelspraktiken, die im Rahmen einer anonymisierten Umfrage unter Zulieferern deutscher Discounter, Bio- und Drogeriemärkte erstellt wurde. Das Factsheet wurde mit Bezug zu einer Umsetzung der EU-Richtlinie 2019/6331 zu unfairen Handelspraktiken veröffentlicht.

Thema: öffentliche Beschaffung, Textilien, Nachhaltigkeit

Herausgeber: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, 2021

Leitfaden der Bundesregierung für eine nachhaltige Textilbeschaffung der Bundesverwaltung

Die deutschen Bundesbehörden haben eine große Nachfragemacht. Sie besitzen dementsprechend eine starke Hebelwirkung, wenn es um die nachhaltige Gestaltung von Lieferketten geht, die mit der Beschaffung aus öffentlichen Stellen im Zusammenhang stehen. Der Leitfaden bietet hier entsprechende Handlungsmöglichkeiten um diese Hebelwirkung zu nutzen.

Thema: Menschenrechtsverletzungen im Kakaoanbau

Herausgeber: inkota Netzwerk

Menschenrechtsverletzungen im Kakaoanbau - Warum wir ein Lieferkettengesetz brauchen

Die Kakao- und Schokoladenindustrie setzt die UN-Vorgaben zur Einhaltung menschenrechtlicher Sorgfaltspflicht in ihren Lieferketten unzureichend um. Trotz freiwilliger Initiativen einiger Unternehmen gehören ausbeuterische Kinderarbeit, bittere Armut und Arbeitsrechtsverletzungen weiterhin zum Alltag im Kakaoanbau.

Thema: Armut und Verteilungsgerechtigkeit

Herausgeber: Südwind Institut

Preisgestaltung in der Wertschöpfungskette Kakao – Ursachen und Auswirkungen

Eine Darstellung von Preisgestaltungsmechanismen im Kakaosektor. Die Studie versucht Maßnahmen zu identifizieren, die die Erreichung von existenzsichernden Einkommen ermöglichen.

Thema: Rückverfolgbarkeit

Herausgeber: World Economic Forum

Innovation with a purpose: Improving Traceability in Food Value Chains through Technology Innovations

Eine Darstellung verschiedener Mechanismen, die für die Rückverfolgbarkeit genutzt werden. Darauf aufbauend werden anschließend Tools und Auswahlkriterien aufgezeigt.

Thema: Armut und Verteilungsgerechtigkeit

Herausgeber: Deutsches Global Compact Netzwerk 

Verteilungsgerechtigkeit – Wie gestalten wir Arbeit inklusiv, sinnhaft und Wettbewerbsfähig?

Eine Darstellung der globalen und nationalen Einkommensungleichheit. Die Studie sucht nach Gründen für die Ungleichheit und versucht Lösungen zu ihrer Verringerung zu finden.

Thema: Landwirtschaft, Baumwolle, Bio

Herausgeber: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, 2021

The World of Organic Agriculture - Statistics and Emerging Trends 2021

Über verschiedene Agrarrohstoffe und Kontinente hinweg, stellt dieser Report die weltweiten Entwicklungen in der Biolandwirtschaft dar. Angeschlossen daran endet der Report mit einem kurzen Ausblick.

for Advanced

Topic: Bananas, Sustainable agriculture 

Published by: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) and Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz (BMUV) 

Handbook on sustainable agriculture with focus on biodiversity and climate change 

In Latin America, the banana and pineapple sectors, among others, are affected by the changing conditions of climate change. Tropical storms and also weather patterns such as temperature increases and increased rainfall will lead to massive impacts in some regions of Latin America. This handbook focuses on the cultivation of bananas and pineapples in Latin America with detailed measures.

Topic: Sustainability in the Banana Production 

Published by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH 

Study on the Cost of Production in the Columbian Banana Sector 

Financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the COMO Consult study deals with the banana sector in Colombia and the production costs of export bananas. After an introduction to the banana sector, the banana market and production costs in Colombia are examined in detail: Considering factors such as banana production and exports, certifications and current global developments, the study shows very clearly that banana production and international trade are also of great importance specifically for Colombia.

Topic: Climate Change and Banana Production 

Published by: University of Bonn 

Decision Support for Determining Effective Climate Measures in Banana
Production

The Action Alliance for Sustainable Bananas (ABNB) has conducted an expert survey together with the University of Bonn to prioritise climate change adaptation measures in terms of effectiveness, costs and other effects. Based on the scientific evidence and the exchange of experts, 7 measures were identified that are inextricably linked to the goal of adapting production to climate change and reducing the negative impacts of production on the environment: Composting, Cover crops, Mulching, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Buffer zones, Plastic recycling, and Plastic reduction. 

Topic: Climate Change and Banana Production 

Published by: Deutsch Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Study on the Effects of Climate Change on Banana Production in Latin America 

A science-based assessment of the past and future climate change effects in some of the major banana producing regions of selected Latin American countries – including impacts on banana yields and prices, as well as on farmers’ income and profit-ability, and effects on biodiversity.

Topic: Biodiversity in agricultural supply chains

Published by: Global Nature Fund in collaboration with Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Brochure on biodiversity in global agricultural supply chains

The brochure provides information on biodiversity risks in the cultivation of raw materials and on concrete measures to improve biodiversity management.

Topic: Human rights in the palm oil sector  

Publisher: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil  

Human rights in the palm oil sector - The responsibility of purchasing companies: Limits and potentials of certification 

The study conducted by the German Institute for Human Rights presents the most prevalent human rights issues in the palm oil sector setting out how buyers of palm oil can move forward to address these issues. The analysis of measures adopted by companies processing palm oil identifies certification as main tool to address human rights concerns. A criteria system is used to assess whether and to what degree a certification scheme is apt to comply with a specific part of a company’s human rights due diligence. Recommendations to buying and manufacturing companies and their networks are derived from the analyses with regard to ideas and fields of action on how to better conduct human rights due diligence 

Topic: Certification systems palm oil sector 

Publisher: Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil 

Impact monitoring of palm oil sustainability schemes 

This report presents an analysis of the impact monitoring systems of certification and verification schemes that are recognised by the German Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP), which commissioned this research as well as a summary of the current state of knowledge on the impacts of palm oil certification. The following schemes were reviewed: the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), Rainforest Alliance (RA), the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Palm Oil Innovation Group (POIG). The study draws on desk-based research, benchmarking and interviews with 15 stakeholders and scheme representatives. 

Thema: Förderung von Kleinbäuerinnen und -Bauern

Herausgeber: Innovation Forum

Building resilient smallholder supply chains – How to enable transformation for farmers, institutions and supply chains

Warum ist Nachhaltigkeit bisher noch nicht nachhaltig? – Mit dieser Frage beschäftigt sich die Studie „Building Resilient Smallholder Supply Chains“ der britischen Innovation Forum, die durch Unterstützung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) entstanden ist.

Thema: Menschenrechte und Wirtschaft

Herausgeber: Deutsches Global Compact Netzwerk

5 Schritte zum Management der menschenrechtlichen Auswirkungen Ihres Unternehmens

Dieser Leitfaden gibt Unternehmen, insbesondere kleinen und mittelständischen Unternehmen (KMU), Handlungsanleitung für einen einfachen und dennoch umfassenden Prozess, um mit der Ermittlung ihrer potenziellen Auswirkungen auf die Menschenrechte zu beginnen. Dabei werden sowohl die Menschen in den Blick genommen, die direkt von den Auswirkungen der Unternehmenstätigkeit betroffen sind, als auch jene, deren Leben durch Geschäftsbeziehungen mit Lieferanten oder Anderen indirekt beeinflusst wird. Der Leitfaden bietet Ihnen Ansätze und Hilfsmittel, um zu analysieren, was Ihr Unternehmen bereits unternimmt, um diese Auswirkungen anzugehen und wo Verbesserungsbedarf besteht. Auf diese Weise hilft Ihnen die Publikation, erste Schritte auf dem Weg zur menschenrechtlichen Sorgfalt zu unternehmen.

Thema: Zukunftsfähig Wirtschaften

Herausgeber: Oro Verde und Global Nature Fund

Zukunftsfähig Wirtschaften – Ein Unternehmensguide zum Engagement für Wald und Klima

Die Möglichkeiten, Wald- und Klimaschutz erfolgreich in das Unternehmensmanagement zu integrieren, sind vielfältig. Doch worauf sollten Unternehmen achten? Welche Risiken können vermieden werden? Mit einer gemeinsamen Veröffentlichung bieten die Naturschutzorganisationen OroVerde – Die Tropenwaldstiftung und Global Nature Fund Orientierungshilfen im Dschungel der verschiedenen Wald- und Klimaschutzmaßnahmen.

Thema: Insektenschutz 

Herausgeber: Life Food & Biodiversity

Easy Guide Insektenschutz in Standards der Lebensmittelbranche

Dieser Easy Guide richtet sich insbesondere an Führungskräfte des Lebensmittelsektors wie an Qualitäts-, Produkt- und Beschaffungsmanager. Der Leitfaden unterstützt Manager dabei, Handlungsfelder zu verstehen und zu beurteilen, die für den Insektenschutz relevant sind und die durch einen Standard oder ein Label abgedeckt werden sollten.

Thema: Sorgfaltspflichten 

Herausgeber: Fairtrade Advocacy Office

Making human rights due diligence work for small farmers and workers in global supply chains

Dieser Bericht untersucht die potentielle Wirksamkeit und die Auswirkungen der Instrumente zur Sorgfaltspflicht in Menschenrechtsfragen, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf dem Landwirtschafts- und Bekleidungssektor liegt.

Thema: Menschenrechte in globalen Lieferketten 

Herausgeber: adelphi und Ernst & Young

Die Achtung von Menschenrechten entlang globaler Wertschöpfungsketten

Die Studie ermittelt, welche menschenrechtlichen Risiken entlang der Wertschöpfungskette von Branchen der deutschen Wirtschaft vorliegen können. Darauf basierend erfolgt eine kriteriengeleitete Eingrenzung auf elf Fokusbranchen.

Thema: Einkommen und Kinderarbeit

Herausgeber: International Cocoa Initiative

The effects of income changes on child labour

Diese Studie gibt einen Überblick über den Zusammenhang zwischen Einkommensveränderungen und Kinderarbeit, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf der kleinbäuerlichen Landwirtschaft in Entwicklungsländern liegt.

Thema: Geldtransfer und Kinderarbeit

Herausgeber: International Cocoa Initiative

The effect of cash transfers on child labour

In diesem Bericht werden 21 Studien zu 13 Geldtransferprogrammen in ländlichen Kontexten in Lateinamerika, Afrika und Asien geprüft, in denen die Auswirkungen von Bargeld auf Kinderarbeit streng untersucht wurden.

Thema: Kinderarbeit, Armut, Existenzsichernde Einkommen, Bildung

Herausgeber: Terre des Hommes

Ausbeutung jetzt beenden: Was arbeitenden Kindern wirklich hilft

Terre des Hommes zeigt in der Studie verschiedene Lösungsansätze auf, um ausbeuterische Kinderarbeit zu verhindern. Dies ist die deutsche Kurzfassung des englischen Originals "What works for working children: being effective when tackling child labour"

Thema Digitalisierung

Herausgeber: Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Blockchain for more sustainable value chains

In der Studie wird die Blockchain Technologie bezüglich ihrer Wirkung zur Verbesserung sozialer, ökologischer und wirtschaftlichen Situation im Bekleidungssektor überprüft. Aus insgesamt 34 Anwendungsfällen wurden dazu sechs Fallbeispiele ausgewählt und mehr als 30 Interviews in Bangladesh, Indien und Pakistan durchgeführt. Aus den Analysen werden Empfehlungen und Herausforderungen für die allgemeine Anwendung von Blockchain in Wertschöpfungsketten abgeleitet.

Thema: Jugendbeschäftigung, Kakao

Herausgeber: Overseas Development Institute

Creating opportunities for young people in Ghana's Cocoa Sector 

Jugendbeschäftigung ist ein zentrales Thema um die Zukunftsfähigkeit der Landwirtschaft sicherzustellen. So auch für den Kakaosektor in Ghana. Für diesen stellt die Studie Maßnahmen dar, die dabei helfen können den Sektor attraktiver für jugendliche zu machen. Sie geht dabei speziell auf vier verschiedene Punkte ein: (1) Verbesserung des Zugangs zu Land, (2) Maßgeschneiderte Kredit- und Sparlösungen (3) Schulungen und Weiterbildungen zu nachhaltigen Anbaupraktiken, (4) Veränderung der öffentlichen Wahrnehmung des Kakaoanbaus.

Thema: Best-Practice Lösungen

Herausgeber: Elisabeth Fröhlich

CSR und Beschaffung – Theoretische wie praktische Implikationen eines nachhaltigen Beschaffungsprozessmodells

Dieser Sammelband beleuchtet den gesamten strategischen nachhaltigen Beschaffungsprozess und zeigt anhand praktischer Unternehmensbeispiele auf, wo CSR eine Rolle spielt und welche Lösungsansätze implementiert werden können. Dabei werden nicht nur ökologische und soziale Gesichtspunkte in der Beschaffer-Lieferanten-Beziehung, sondern auch effizientes Lieferanten-Auditing besprochen. Zahlreiche theoretische und praktische Handlungsanweisungen für die erfolgreiche Umsetzung von Nachhaltigkeit in der Beschaffung unterstützen die Umsetzung im Betrieb.

Thema: Kaffee, Nachhaltigkeit 

Herausgeber: Columbia University, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment

Ensuring Economic Viability and Sustainability of Coffee Production

Die Studie beleuchtet zum die Marktstrukturen im Kaffeesektor und zeigt, wie diese mit den gegenwärtigen Herausforderungen im Anbau zusammenhängen. Darauf aufbauend, werden Ansätze dargestellt, die dafür sorgen können, dass die Zukunftsfähigkeit des Sektors ökologisch und sozial verträglich, gesichert wird.

Thema: Ländliche Entwicklung

Herausgeber: FAO

Gender and ICTs - Mainstreaming Gender in the use of Information and Communication Technologies for Agriculture and Rural Development

Mit dem Fokus auf das Thema Gender werden in der Studie verschiedene Maßnahmen und Hindernisse für die Anwendung von IKT in der Landwirtschaft dargestellt. Zudem stellt sie sieben kritische Faktoren für den Erfolg von Initiativen zu ICT4Ag dar.

Thema: Löhne, Arbeitsbedingungen, existenzsichernde Einkommen, existenzsichernde Löhne

Herausgeber: International Labour Organisation (ILO), 2021

Global Wage Report 2020 - 21 - Wages and minimum wages in the time of COVID-19

Im siebten Report der Serie, legt die ILO das Augenmerk insbesondere darauf, wie die Pandemie die Lebenssituation von Arbeiter*innen weltweit verändert und deren Lebensgrundlage gefährdet. Insbesondere auf die Wachstumsrate der Durchschnittslöhne übt die Situation einen starken Druck aus. Darüber hinaus sind vor allem Frauen und Arbeiter*innen im Niedriglohnsektor von Lohhnsenkungen betroffen. 

Thema: Förderung von Kleinbäuerinnen und -Bauern

Herausgeber: FiBL

Group Certification – Internal Control Systems in Organic Agriculture: Significance, Opportunities and Challenges

Die Studie stellt die Vorteile der Bildung von Kooperationen in Bezug auf Marktzugang und Erhöhung der Produktqualität durch Wissensaustausch dar.

Thema: Digitalisierung

Herausgeber: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Harnessing the chances of digitalisation for rural development

Eine Beschreibung der gegenwärtigen Entwicklung der Digitalisierung auf dem afrikanischen Kontinent. Betrachtet werden verschiedene digitale Anwendungen in der Landwirtschaft. Daraus leitet die Studie die gelernten Lektion ab.

Thema: öffentliche Beschaffung , Nachhaltigkeit 

Herausgeber: OECD Publishing, 2020

Integrating Responsible Business Conduct in Public Procurement

Die Studie zeigt einen Überblick über bereits bestehende Maßnahmen für nachhaltige öffentliche Beschaffung innerhalb der OECD-Länder. Auch wenn viele der Länder bereits einzelne Ansätze und Strategien einsetzen, besitzen diese in den meisten Fällen kein zusammenhängendes Rahmenwerk, das Lieferketten insgesamt in den Blick nimmt. Aufbauend auf diesen und anderen Betrachtungen werden Empfehlungen für den öffentlichen Sektor formuliert. 

Thema: Ländliche Entwicklung

Herausgeber: Institut für Entwicklung und Frieden (INEF)

Livelihoods for Transformation (LIFT) in der Oromiya Region Äthiopien

Eine Beschreibung des LIFT Projekts, welches durch die internationale NGO iDE durchgeführt wird.
Ziel des Projekts ist die Durchführung von Maßnahmen zur Diversifizierung und Verbesserung der landwirtschaftlichen Produktion sowie die Bereitstellung von Inputs und Krediten zur Verbesserung der Ernährungssicherung.

Thema: Living Income

Herausgeber: Oxfam

A Living-Income for Farmers - Tackling Unequal Risks and Market Power

Die Studie führt die Lücke zwischen existenzsicherndem und tatsächlichem Einkommen von Kleinbäuerinnen und -bauern auf ungleiche Marktverhältnisse zurück. Vor diesem Hintergrund werden Möglichkeiten genannt, wie Hauptkäufer*innen dabei helfen können, die Lücke zu schließen. 

Thema: Living Income, Produktivitätsseigerung

Herausgeber: Wageningen University

A living income for smallholder commodity farmers and protected forests and biodiversity: how can the private and public sectors contribute?

Die Studie stellt zunächst dar, dass sich Maßnahmen zur Produktivitätssteigerung oder höhere Preise nicht zwangsweise dazu führen, dass Bäuer*innen in produzierenden Ländern ein existenzsicherndes Einkommen erwirtschaften. Vor diesem Hintergrund werden altrnative Handlungsmöglichkeiten dargestellt, die einen stärker sektorübergreifenden und systemischen Ansatz zugrundelegen. Dieser orentiert sich beispielsweise auch stärker an Faktoren wie der Farmgröße oder Einkommenssituation und deren Zusammenspiel mit Aktivitäten Landnutzungsplanung oder Diversifizierung.

Thema: Kautschuk

Herausgeber: Südwind Institut im Auftrag des BMUB

Naturkautschuk in der Lieferkette - Wie Unternehmen Nachhaltigkeitsprobleme erkennen und lösen können

Eine Abhandlung verschiedener Risikobereiche im Kautschuksektor mit Bezug auf soziale und ökologische Nachhaltigkeit. Es werden verschiedene Ansätze und Standards als Lösungsmöglichkeiten aufgeführt sowie Handlungsempfehlungen gegeben.

Thema: Einhaltung unternehmerischer Sorgfaltspflicht

Herausgeber: OECD

OECD Due-Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct

Eine praktische Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung der OECD Due-Diligence Richtlinien.

Thema: Governance von Lieferketten 

Herausgeber: Aidenvironment

An Overview of Sector Governance

Die Studie verfolgt einen systemischen Ansatz und stellt dar, wie die verbesserte Governance eines Sektors dazu führen kann, dass dieser resilienter und effektiver wird. Die Studie bewegt sich somit weg von rein unternehmerischen oder lieferkettenbasierten Ansätzen hin zur Förderung einer nachhaltigen Produktion.

Thema: Menschenrechte in Globalen Lieferketten

Herausgeber: Tobias Debiel (INEF)

Die SDGs und menschenrechtliche Verantwortung von Unternehmen

Die Studie zeigt die Verantwortung von Unternehmen in globalen Lieferketten mit Fokus auf SDGs, NAP und den Abkommensentwurf zu rechtsverbindlichen Instrumenten durch die UN.

Thema: Entwaldungsfreie Lieferketten

Herausgeber: FAO

The State of the World's Forests 

Die Studie setzt das Thema Waldschutz zunächst in Beziehung zur Umsetzung der SGDs. Darüber hinaus stellt sie im Rahmen von Fallstudien Erfolge und Hindernisse bei der Erreichung einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung in Bezug auf Wälder dar.

Thema: Kleinbauern, Marktanbindung

Herausgeber: OECD Food and Fisheries Papers 

Strategies for Adressing Smallholder Agriculture and Facilitating Structural Transformation

Eine Analyse von Faktoren, die dazu führen, dass Kleinbäuerinnen und -bauern keine Marktanbindung haben. Die Studie stellt außerdem die landwirtschaftlichen Richtlinien von Brasilien, Chile, Indonesien, Mexiko und Südafrika gegenüber.

Thema: Existenzsichernde Einkommen, Kaffee 

Herausgeber: IDH 

Strategy-Handbook Full Report - A Fact-Based Exploration of the Living Income Gap to Develop Effective Sourcing and Pricing Strategies that Close the Gap

Der Report wurde im Rahmen der Taskforce for Coffee Living Income erstellt. Diese ist ein Zusammenschluss zwischen verschiedenen Kaffeeunternehmen, NGOs und Multi-Akteurs-Partnerschaften wie der Global Coffee Platform 

Er führt unterschiedliche Handlungsanweisungen auf, die Unternehmen um die Lücke zwischen tatsächlichen und existenzsichernden Einkommen von Kleinbäuer*innen zu schließen.

Thema: Nachhaltigkeitsstandards

Herausgeber: AidenvironmentWWFISEAL Alliance

The Systemic Impact of Voluntary Sustainability Standards

Eine Gegenüberstellung systemischer Wirkungen von Nachhaltigkeitsstandards und reinen intendierten  "Zertifizierungsauswirkungen".

Thema: Entwaldung, Soja, Europäische Union, Sustainable Development Goals 

Herausgeber: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit 

Towards more sustainability in the soy supply chain: How can EU actors support zero-deforestation and SDG-efforts

Die Studie stellt die Beziehung zwischen Entwaldung in Lateinamerika und dem Import gewisser Agrarprodukte sowie Fleisch dar. Gerade die Produktion von Soja zur Nutzung als günstiges Futtermittel ist hier einer der Haupttreiber. Da die EU neben China einer der größten Importeure für Soja ist, trägt sie hier laut der Studie eine klare Verantwortung. Vor diesem Hintergrund werden Empfehlungen dargestellt, die sowohl auf Nachfrage- als auch auf Angebotsseite für eine Verbesserung der Nachhaltigkeit im Sektor sorgen können.

Themen: Transparenz, Rückverfolgbarkeit 

Herausgeber: Organic Services International 

Traceability and Technology an Overview Study 

Die Studie zielt darauf ab, Unternehmen welche die Transparenz ihrer Lieferketten verbessern möchten einen Leitfaden zu geben. Dazu wird ein sechsstufiger Prozess beschrieben. Diesen können Unternehmen durchlaufen, um so die passende digitale Lösung und den richtigen Anbieter für den von ihnen verfolgten Zweck zu finden.

Thema: Ländliche Entwicklung

Herausgeber: Institut für Entwicklung und Frieden (INEF)

Wiederherstellung der Bodenfruchtbarkeit im Norden Benins

Eine Darstellung der Arbeit des GIZ-Vorhabens Bodenschutz und Bodenrehabilitierung für Ernährungssicherung in Benin, dort ProSOL genannt.

for Experts

Topic: Sustainable supply chains

Publisher: Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, inclsve, Fair & Sustainable Consulting

Recommendations on Responsible Purchasing Practices (RPPs)

This overview of recommendations for responsible and sustainable purchasing originates from the study “Assessing the influence of purchasing practices of grocery retailers on producers” conducted by Inclsve and Fair & Sustainable with actors of the banana and cocoa supply chain in Ecuador and Ghana. You can find the full report here.  

Topic: Sustainable supply chains

Publisher: Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, inclsve, Fair & Sustainable Consulting

Assessing the influence of purchasing practices of grocery retailers on producers

How do purchasing practices affect producers? In order to find answers on this question, stakeholders along the entire supply chain of cocoa in Ghana and banana in Ecuador were interviewed in surveys and workshops for this study. From this, concrete recommendations for sustainable and responsible purchasing practices were derived, which you can find at the end of the study.

Topic: Cotton, Environment

Publisher: Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Sustainable Cotton Production Systems and their Nuances – the case of environmental sustainability. Guiding information for retailers, brands and other buyers.

The study examined the environmental impact of different cotton production systems.

Topic: Deforestation, Due Diligence in Agricultural Supply Chains

Publisher: OECD, FAO

OECD-FAO Business Handbook on Deforestation and Due Diligence in Agricultural Supply Chains  

The handbook was developed by OECD and FAO to help companies embed considerations on deforestation and forest degradation into their corporate due diligence procedures.

Topic: Value Chains

Published by: Le BASIC

 

German Cocoa and Chocolate Value Chains

Analysis of the distribution of value, costs, taxes, and net margins along the German cocoa and chocolate value chains

Topic: Sustainable consumption

Publisher: Federal Environment Agency (Germany)

Ecological financial reform: product-related incentives as drivers of environmentally friendly production and consumption patterns

The study develops proposals for excise taxes that aim to reduce the consumption of scarce resources, reduce emissions and waste, and provide economic incentives for recycling products to recover raw materials.

Topic: Sustainable supply chains

Publisher: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

David versus Goliath: Niche products and mainstream agricultural export commodities – to what extent do they promote sustainable development?­

The study examines the differences between globally traded agricultural commodities and domestic niche products with regard to the economic, ecological and social impact on the region of origin. The results provide new indications for making supply chains more sustainable and offer a useful basis for discussion for future projects.

Topic: Deforestation

Publisher: TRASE-Initiative

Assessing tropical deforestation in Germany’s agricultural commodity supply chains

In order to answer the question of Germany's role, on one hand, as a trader and, on the other, as a consumer of agricultural commodities that pose a deforestation risk, the TRASE initiative analysed national deforestation statistics, production and trade statistics as well as detailed TRASE data.

Topics: Cotton 

Publisher: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH 

Study on Waterfootprint in Cotton Production in India 


The study examines the current water footprint in cotton production in India and identifies recommendations for action to increase sustainability in the cotton sector.

Thema: Sorgfaltspflicht in Lieferketten 

Herausgeber: British Institute for Economic and Law

Study on due diligence requirements through the supply chain

Diese Studie für die Europäische Kommission konzentriert sich auf die Sorgfaltspflicht-Anforderungen, um Menschenrechtsverletzungen, einschließlich Kinder- und Freiheitsrechte und Umweltschäden zu erkennen und zu verhindern.

Thema: Kakaosektor 

Herausgeber: Royal Tropical Institute

Demystifying the Cocoa Sector in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire

Diese Studie gibt unter anderem Aufschluss über die Demographie, Produktionsmethoden, Erträge, Preise, Einkommen und Gender im Kakaosektor in Ghana und der Côte d'Ivoire.

Thema: Digitalisierung, globale Märkte 

Herausgeber: OECD Food and Fisheries Papers

Digital Opportunities for Trade in the Agriculture and Food Sectors

Eine Studie über die digitale Transformation im Ernährugs- und Agrarbereich. Das Paper zeigt auf, wie Veränderungen durch digitale Technologien Einfluss darauf haben, wer an der Wertschöpfung partizipiert und profitiert. 

Thema: Globale Märkte

Herausgeber: OECD Food and Fisheries Papers 

How Policies Shape Global Food and Agriculture Value Chains

Die Studie analysiert Globale Lieferketten aus über 20 Sektoren. Es wird dargestellt, wie rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen die Teilhabe an diesen Wertschöpfungsketten beeinflussen und verändern.

Thema: Klima, Biodiversität, Post-Wachstum, Umwelt

Herausgeber: UN Development Programme

Making Peace with Nature - The scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies 

Der Bericht wirft einen Blick auf Lösungsansätze für die großen Herausforderungen der Gegenwart. Er stellt dabei Möglichkeiten für eine nachhaltige wirtschaftliche Transformation in den Vordegrund, bspw. den Einbezug von Naturkapital in politische und wirtschaftliche Entscheidungsprozesse. 

Video footage
Coffee


INA Trace Coffee Producers in Honduras



How’s your coffee? The choice is yours!



Coffee and Honey from the Forests of Ethiopia

Transformation of agricultural and food systems


Animation/ explanatory film Transformation of agricultural and food systems



Focus film Transformation of agricultural and food systems

Caoutchouc


Lay some rubber ...



Clean tyres? No problem. With traceable rubber supply chains.

Fair Trade


There's plenty of joy in chocolate – but there’s no money in cocoa



Meat, tofu and boiled egg. Is soy farming destroying our climate?



How did the forest get into my shopping bag? And how do I get it back out?



Why working together is the way to a living income



The journey of your banana

Recording INA Lunchbreak on the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act


Part 26 – How to plan and implement traceability systems – Experiences from practice

01 March 2024



Part 25 – Lessons-learnt one year after the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) came into force

02 February 2024



Part 24 – Sustainability along the supply chains of spices and other plant-based raw materials

12 January 2024



Part 23 – Establishment of a national cocoa traceability system using the example of Ghana

1 December 2023



Part 22 – OECD-FAO Business Handbook on Deforestation and Due Diligence in Agricultural Supply Chains

3 November 2023



Part 21 – Avoiding child labour in agricultural supply chains using the example of cocoa

6 October 2023



Part 20 – Sustainable & Responsible Procurement Practices

1 September 2023



Part 19 – Direct marketing as an opportunity for transparency and traceability

7 July 2023



Part 17 – On the way to gender equity and proper due diligence

5 May 2023



Part 16 – How findings from the country of production can be used to fulfill corporate due diligence obligations: Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP) e.V. 

14 April 2023



Part 15 – From the Field to the Fan Shop: Sustainable procurement in sports

3 March 2023



Part 14 – EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products

10 February 2023



Part 13 – The Food Security Standard of Welthungerhilfe as a tool for socially responsible agricultural supply chains

13 January 2023



Part 12 – Due Diligence Fund

2 December 2022



Part 11 – Creating risk analyses using the example of palm oil

7 October 2022



Part 10 – Complaints mechanisms as part of successful risk management

2 September 2022



Part 9 – The Digital Integration of Agricultural Supply Chains Alliance (DIASCA)

1. July 2022



Part 8 – OECD-FAO Business Handbook on Deforestation, Forest Degradation and Due Diligence in Agricultural Supply Chains

3 June 2022



Part 7 – Due Diligence Fund – Part 1

6 May 2022



Part 6 – How can digital traceability contribute to the implementation of due diligence?

1 April 2022



Part 5 – implementation of deforestation-free supply chains

4 March 2022



Part 4 – What role do standards play in the fulfilment of due diligence obligations?

4 February 2022



Part 3 – Tools for living wages and income

3 December 2021



Part 2 – Risk analysis using cocoa as an example

5 November 2021