Publications

This publication offers guidance to governments and businesses in value chains on how to make effective sustainability claims on products and, ultimately, aims at empowering consumers to make informed sustainable choices.Jointly produced with UN Environment and the UN 10YFP Consumer Information...

Voluntary standards have been rising fast, leading to similar standards operating in the same markets. This study finds multiple standards in 86 of 90 markets it reviewed, which creates confusion for consumers and producers alike. This joint report with the European University Institute is the...

Voluntary sustainability standards are in the mainstream, and no longer a novelty for niche markets. This second global report outlines data on area, production volume and producers for 14 major sustainability standards across bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, palm oil, soybeans, cane sugar, tea and...

Private sustainability standards can be an effective tool to foster sustainable development. This paper outlines conditions for sustainability and potential obstacles. Private sustainability standards can bring benefits to producers and the supply chain. This literature review analyses why the...

While more than 40% of existing trade strategies identify trade integration and regionalism as crucial policy areas, less than 3% of the strategies are regional. Nor do they fully build on diversification opportunities in services and manufacturing.This is one of many trends in trade strategies,...

Literature review of interdependencies between public and private standards. It focuses on how governments could engage with private standards to impact their legitimacy and significance in the market; provides examples of complementarities between public and private standards. Part three of a...

Tourism is a key trade development sector for many LDCs – as highlighted in 45 of 48 Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies analysed for this joint UNWTO-ITC-EIF report.A must-read for the development community in this International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the report provides...

To educate policymakers about obstacles specific to trade in services, this guide is for firms, associations and trade institutions who wish to join forces through coalitions. Trade policies should reflect the voice of services firms in order to maximize growth opportunities. To advise on the...

No water, no life! Water use and management have become central to the global debate on sustainability and are part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Optimizing efficient water management at product, process and organizational levels is increasingly becoming important in supply chains,...

Study explaining how to identify viable projects adapted to tourism supply chains in order to promote poverty reduction. It provides guidelines structured around three phases: 1) Diagnosis of Current Situation and Context includes tools to map the tourism value chain and the participation of the...

Le rapport de cette année est centré sur les échanges régionaux, la forme la plus courante d’échange pour les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Il montre que les accords commerciaux régionaux et profonds favorisent une croissance inclusive. Ces accords attirent l’activité des...

This paper provides easy-to-follow guidance on the basic labelling requirements for finished natural product and sustainability certification. Labelling products correctly is an essential requirement to sell natural products in the United States consumer market and exporters from developing...