Certification: A Key to Sustainable and Inclusive Trade

22 November 2024 Event report

The Standards Pavilion at COP29 was abuzz with discussions on environmental and social sustainability, as experts gathered to explore solutions for inclusive trade.

The session, titled "Exploring Solutions for Environmental and Social Sustainability for Inclusive Trade," highlighted the crucial role of certification in promoting sustainable practices.

The event, recorded live at COP29, began with opening remarks by Mr. Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International, emphasising the stark difference between products sourced from sustainably managed forests and those that are not.

He pointed out that certification ensures that wood-based products come from forests managed for their environmental, social, and economic benefits, rather than from forests harmed by unsustainable practices.

The opening remarks underscored the importance of recent environmental regulations, particularly the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which aims to eliminate deforestation from supply chains.

While acknowledging the significance of such regulations, Mr. Arndt also highlighted the potential risks and costs associated with their implementation.

He noted that the estimated annual cost of implementing the EUDR ranges from 170 million to 2.5 billion euros.

Following Mr. Arndt's keynote, the panel discussion, moderated by Tiina Huvio, Board Member of Agricord, brought additional perspectives to environmental and social sustainability for inclusive trade, with panellists referring to the role of certification on several occasions.

Dr. Sebastien Dessus, Manager of Trade at the World Bank, emphasised the need for integrated policy frameworks.

"We must ensure that our policies not only protect the environment but also support the livelihoods of those who depend on these resources. Certification can bridge this gap by providing a clear standard for sustainable practices," he stated.

Sharon Cherono, Project Officer at the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF), shared her experiences working with smallholder farmers.

"Certification can be a game-changer for our farmers but I'd like to stress the need for farmers to get organised. A farmers' organisation can bring the costs down which can open up new markets and contribute for improved production. The farmers' organisations should be capacitated to manage data linked to these kinds of initiatives."

Francoise Van de Ven, President of ATIBT, highlighted the role of voluntary sustainability initiatives. "Voluntary certification schemes have proven effective in promoting responsible business conduct. They offer a flexible yet robust framework that can adapt to local contexts and needs," she explained.

Kati Partanen, Board Member of the World Farmers’ Organization, discussed the importance of community-led initiatives. "Empowering farmers' and forest owners' organisations to take charge of their resources is crucial. Certification provides the tools and knowledge needed to manage forests sustainably, ensuring long-term benefits for both people and the planet," she remarked.

Tiina Huvio summarised the event underlining that due diligence procedures and certifications can support sustainability if the costs are reasonable and the producer organisations can have a say on their functionality: “Sustainability is something we all want and voluntary certifications can support it. We need to make sure that smallholders are given the possibility to share the benefits of improvements, not only costs and extra work for compliance.”

The session concluded with a call to action for collaboration and a focus on creating positive impacts. Mr. Arndt's message was clear: by promoting certification and sustainable practices, we can move beyond merely avoiding harm and work towards a future where environmental and social sustainability are at the forefront of inclusive trade.