23 May 2025
Driving environmental responsibility on the farm: Piloting a new GLOBALG.A.P. solution
Following the International Day for Biological Diversity, explore how GLOBALG.A.P.’s new environmental sustainability solution is coming to life in farm trials across Europe.
This year’s International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May celebrated the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.” At GLOBALG.A.P., the message resonates deeply as we continue working with partners to bring a practical, science-based environmental sustainability solution to life on farms around the world.
A new tool for a changing world
Agriculture is at the center of the environmental conversation. Farmers, supply chain actors, and retailers alike are under increasing pressure to demonstrate how they protect natural resources, reduce their environmental impact, and support biodiversity. GLOBALG.A.P.’s answer to this challenge is a new environmental sustainability solution, currently being piloted via desk trials with selected farms.
The solution brings together a wide range of environmental topics through a situational assessment that tailors content and implementation to the sustainability journey of a producer and their partners. Topics include biodiversity, soil health, water stewardship, attention to greenhouse gas emissions, and exploring options for regenerative agriculture and nature-positive approaches.
The new solution is designed to function either in combination with the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard or as a stand-alone standard, initially available for the fruit and vegetables, flowers and ornamentals, and combinable crops product categories.
“Together with the Environmental Sustainability Working Group, we are developing this solution in collaboration with a broad alliance of partners,” explains Dr. René Capote, Senior Technical Expert at GLOBALG.A.P. “It’s now being tested to help us create an ambitious but also practical solution for producers and their partners.”
Putting it into practice: A look at the pilots
One of the farms currently trialing the solution is Frutas Torero, a producer of grapes and stone fruit based in Murcia, Spain. Their feedback plays a vital role in shaping how biodiversity and other environmental practices can realistically be implemented in day-to-day operations.
Retailers are also taking part. EDEKA Germany is supporting pilot implementations in both Spain and Italy, offering valuable insights from a retail and supply chain perspective.
“Making agriculture more sustainable is one of the major challenges of our time - to ensure a long-term supply of high quality and safe food while reducing environmental impact” says Stephanie Finkbeiner, Head of Sustainability/CSR at EDEKA ZENTRALE Stiftung & Co. KG. “GLOBALG.A.P. has been a reliable partner for us for many years when it comes to food safety, quality, consumer protection and sustainability throughout the supply chain. The new Environmental Sustainability Solution combines key environmental issues such as soil health, water management, biodiversity and climate change into a practical, verifiable system. As a long-standing supporting member, we have been actively involved in the development of the content - which is why we welcome this important step towards sustainable agriculture all the more."
Developed by stakeholders, for stakeholders
Since its planning began in 2023, the development of the environmental sustainability solution has been a collaborative effort. GLOBALG.A.P. formed a dedicated working group of around 80 organizations, representing voices from across the value chain and regions around the world. Organized into topic-specific subgroups, they contribute insights, test feasibility, and help ensure the tool is globally relevant.
To gather even broader feedback, GLOBALG.A.P. launched three rounds of public consultation. This stage focused on refining the framework and making sure the approach is clear and implementable.
“We’re building a tool that’s grounded in real needs,” says Dr. Capote. “By encouraging all stakeholders to join forces, we’re making sure that this is something that works—not just in theory, but in practice.”
