The State of Sustainability Initiatives Launches New Website

WINNIPEG—July 29 2015—The State of Sustainability Initiatives (SSI), a research initiative that provides a bird’s eye view of market and performance trends of the most prevalent sustainability standards and initiatives, has launched a new website.

The new SSI website is the first phase of an innovative information “hub” for sustainable supply chain decision-makers—including procurement agents, investment advisors, CEOs, policy-makers, sustainability initiatives and NGOs.

The SSI produces high-level research that supports the sustainable trade industry in navigating the increasingly complex world of sustainability standards. The new website presents the SSI’s recent research and features real-time updates on the latest news and developments from the sustainability standards sector. “The SSI website will enhance global learning and understanding about the role and potential of market-based voluntary sustainability initiatives such as eco-labels, sustainability standards and roundtables,” said Jason Potts, associate at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and author of the SSI Review.

Once thought of as tailored for niche markets only, voluntary sustainability standards such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Organic are becoming increasingly popular in mainstream markets. The SSI tracks sustainable sourcing commitments from companies including Dole, Chiquita, Coca Cola Company, Tetley, Twinings, Unilever, Hershey’s, Home Depot, Lowes, Starbucks, Nestlé, Ferrero Group, Mars, Ikea, Adidas and others. “We recognize the value in using a web-based platform to reach an international community of stakeholders with business-critical information on a US$31.6 billion industry,” Potts added.

With the world’s leading food companies rapidly expanding their sustainable sourcing strategies, the SSI has observed staggering growth in private sector commitments to sustainable sourcing. More smallholder producers are entering sustainable markets than ever before, but what are the associated social, environmental and economic impacts that they will see? The SSI website presents a comprehensive look not only at market trends but also the degree to which each standard addresses key issues related to social, environmental and economic sustainability.

The new website will also offer news and events related to sustainability standards through a new events reporting service and dedicated news and Twitter feeds. To keep up on the latest developments in the world of sustainable supply chains and sustainability standards, as well as receiving SSI market updates, follow the SSI on Twitter at @SSI_News.

Visit the new website at www.iisd.org/ssi

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About the SSIThe State of Sustainability Initiatives (SSI) reports on the characteristics, performance and market trends of sustainability initiatives. SSI research is backed by an internationally recognized and participatory reporting process. The SSI Review offers supply chain decision-makers — including procurement agents, investment advisors, CEOs, policy-makers, sustainability initiatives and NGOs — with high-level data and analysis needed to navigate the increasingly complex world of sustainability standards. The SSI Review 2014 is a collaborative effort by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the Finance Alliance for Sustainable Trade (FAST) and Environment and Trade in a World of Interdependence (ENTWINED).

About the International Institute for Sustainable DevelopmentEstablished in 1990, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a non-partisan, charitable organization specializing in policy research and analysis, and information exchange. Through their head office in Winnipeg and their branches in Ottawa, New York, and Geneva the Institute champions sustainable development around the world through innovation, partnerships, research and communications. It is dedicated to engaging decision-makers in business, government, non-government organizations and academia on issues around economic and legal frameworks, energy and climate change, water, resilience, and knowledge.

For more information, please contact:Sumeep Bath, media and communications officer at IISD (in Canada) at sbath@iisd.org or +1 (204) 958 7740.