Sustainability standards

Introduction to Standards and Sustainability
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/03/2022 - 17:55
COURSE DESCRIPTION




This course introduces participants to the concepts of standards and sustainability, focusing on voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) and the various ways in which enterprises can approach them. Looking at the advantages of sustainability from a business perspective, the course analyses the benefits and costs for enterprises to become certified to VSS, stressing the fact that certification involves taking part in an ongoing process and not just making a one-time commitment.
NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:
Identify the roles of standards and sustainability in business, particularly with regards to international trade; Grasp the various characteristics of VSS relevant to enterprises, such as geographic, product and sustainability scopes; and Assess the different costs and benefits involved in becoming certified to a VSS.



COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Achievement issued in electronic format.










COURSE STRUCTURE





Lecture 1: What are Standards?
Lecture 2: Voluntary Standards
Lecture 3: The Differences Between Voluntary Sustainability Standards
Lecture 4: How does Certification Work?
Lecture 5: The Benefits and Costs of Certification
Case Study Exercise
-
Training
Introduction to Standards and Sustainability
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/03/2022 - 17:55
COURSE DESCRIPTION




This course introduces participants to the concepts of standards and sustainability, focusing on voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) and the various ways in which enterprises can approach them. Looking at the advantages of sustainability from a business perspective, the course analyses the benefits and costs for enterprises to become certified to VSS, stressing the fact that certification involves taking part in an ongoing process and not just making a one-time commitment.
NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:
Identify the roles of standards and sustainability in business, particularly with regards to international trade; Grasp the various characteristics of VSS relevant to enterprises, such as geographic, product and sustainability scopes; and Assess the different costs and benefits involved in becoming certified to a VSS.



COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Achievement issued in electronic format.










COURSE STRUCTURE





Lecture 1: What are Standards?
Lecture 2: Voluntary Standards
Lecture 3: The Differences Between Voluntary Sustainability Standards
Lecture 4: How does Certification Work?
Lecture 5: The Benefits and Costs of Certification
Case Study Exercise
-
Training
Introduction to Standards and Sustainability
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/03/2022 - 17:55
COURSE DESCRIPTION




This course introduces participants to the concepts of standards and sustainability, focusing on voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) and the various ways in which enterprises can approach them. Looking at the advantages of sustainability from a business perspective, the course analyses the benefits and costs for enterprises to become certified to VSS, stressing the fact that certification involves taking part in an ongoing process and not just making a one-time commitment.
NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:
Identify the roles of standards and sustainability in business, particularly with regards to international trade; Grasp the various characteristics of VSS relevant to enterprises, such as geographic, product and sustainability scopes; and Assess the different costs and benefits involved in becoming certified to a VSS.



COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Achievement issued in electronic format.










COURSE STRUCTURE





Lecture 1: What are Standards?
Lecture 2: Voluntary Standards
Lecture 3: The Differences Between Voluntary Sustainability Standards
Lecture 4: How does Certification Work?
Lecture 5: The Benefits and Costs of Certification
Case Study Exercise
-
Training
GreenToCompete (G2C)
Contact
First name
Annegret
Last name
Brauss
Email
abrauss@intracen.org
Body

Context

Activating green trade worldwide

The triple planetary crises of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, pollution and waste are impacting livelihoods around the world. Transitioning to a green and inclusive economy is the defining challenge of our time.   

Trade can make an important contribution to advancing the climate and environment agenda while contributing to the prosperity of poor and marginalized communities. 

Through GreenToCompete, ITC is reinforcing its commitment to trade that is climate resilient, fosters biodiversity and promotes production cycles that are truly circular. Through GreenToCompete, ITC is placing environmental sustainability at the heart of what ITC is and does.   

GreenToCompete works with stakeholders across international value chains and in the business and policy ecosystems. We provide capacity building, business tools, thought leadership and a global network to support small businesses gain a competitive advantage by “going green”. 

Our partner-led GreenToCompete Hubs support green transformation with a focus on national priorities and local ownership. 

With climate change, the change we shall see is the change we shall create. And this past year has taught us just how innovative and resilient we can be. The atmosphere is ripe for innovation and sustainable business models.
With climate change, the change we shall see is the change we shall create. And this past year has taught us just how innovative and resilient we can be. The atmosphere is ripe for innovation and sustainable business models.
Yvonne Otieno
Miyonga Fresh, Kenya
Miyonga Fresh Greens is an agro-processing small business based in Nairobi, Kenya, that has been exporting fresh fruits to Europe since 2015. Miyonga is a project beneficiary of GreenToCompete Hub Kenya.
Miyonga Fresh Greens is an agro-processing small business based in Nairobi, Kenya, that has been exporting fresh fruits to Europe since 2015. Miyonga is a project beneficiary of GreenToCompete Hub Kenya.
Our company now follows a business model that respects circularity and optimal use of raw materials, energy, water, and waste management. Integration of these ideas has helped us improve in many ways.
Our company now follows a business model that respects circularity and optimal use of raw materials, energy, water, and waste management. Integration of these ideas has helped us improve in many ways.
Robert Koech
Siomo Tea Factory, Kenya
Siomo Tea Factory is a Kenyan small business from the South Western Highland that employs 4,000 smallholder farmers in the region, and sells their products worldwide through the Mombasa auction. Siomo was selected for a coaching programme on Resource Effi
Siomo Tea Factory is a Kenyan small business from the South Western Highland that employs 4,000 smallholder farmers in the region, and sells their products worldwide through the Mombasa auction. Siomo was selected for a coaching programme on Resource Effi

Resources

Green business, quite simply….is good business. It’s time to go green.
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<p>Green2Compete is ITC&rsquo;s new and ambitious strategy aiming to place environmental sustainability at the heart of MSME competitiveness. Its goal is to enable MSMEs from developing countries to become more competitive through green production and trade.&nbsp;</p><p>In this context, Green2Compete will support ITC&apos;s ambition to deliver cutting-edge and innovative trade-related technical assistance and will develop ITC&apos;s positioning as a leading development partner in the green transition. It will also serve as an umbrella to ensure coherence among ITC&apos;s interventions in relation to the green transition.</p><p>This project will drive the implementation of the strategy along the following areas, namely: (1) establishment of a consistent corporate reporting mechanism,<span>&nbsp;</span>(2) mainstreaming of green competitiveness into ITC&rsquo;s work, (3) development of innovative, new tools and approaches enabling MSMEs and related multipliers to benefit from a green transition, (4) engagement in dialogues and provision of inputs for a mutually supportive trade and environment agenda, and (5) partnerships and outreach to achieve scale.</p><p>This project sets out a work plan for the first year of the strategy, keeping in mind the overall strategic ambition in the long-term.&nbsp;</p>

Type
Programme
Date
-
External ID
C041
Highlighted
On
Standards Map
Body

Overview

Navigating the constantly moving landscape of sustainability standards is challenging. That’s why we have developed a range of tools, specifically tailored for different actors along the value chain, to help you make informed decisions by better understanding available sustainability initiatives, and connect with like-minded business partners.

 

ITC Standards Map screen capture
A trusted source of information for over 10,000 visitors a month

With our Standards Map you can:

  • review 300+ standards by product, sector, area or focus and more;
  • compare standards side by side across 1650+ criteria;
  • see where you are in the standard compliance process and assess your business for sustainability readiness;
  • explore market trends for 14 sustainability standards across nine commodities and forestry.

Video

13 May 2022
ITC Standards Map - 10 Year anniversary

The last few decades have seen a huge expansion of trade volumes and the emergence of a new model for trading products, the global value chains. Sustainability standards, which have also seen a tremendous uptake, offer an innovative framework for more inclusiveness in trade, and more respect of people and the environment.

Resources

ITC tools (for relations)
Body lead

The world’s largest database for sustainability standards.

ITC’s Standards Map is a free online tool to easily find information and discover trends on standards for environmental protection, labour rights, business ethics, due diligence and traceability, among others. 

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Contextual tags
Contact
Title
ITC Standards Map team
Email
standardsmap@intracen.org