New environmental sustainability solution goes through first round of public consultation

The first round of public consultation on the new GLOBALG.A.P. environmental sustainability solution was held from 25 September to 27 October 2023.

With environmental sustainability an increasing focus across the farming sector, the new solution has been in development since early this year, aided by the formation of the Environmental Sustainability Working Group (ESWG).

Don’t miss out – the second public consultation on the environmental sustainability solution is scheduled for the spring of 2024.

About the public consultation

Over the course of this first round of public consultation, stakeholders shared input on the contents and clarity of both the drafted principles and criteria (P&Cs) and the GLOBALG.A.P. general regulations specifications. Specifically, participants were asked to provide feedback on the practicality and auditability of the P&Cs at farm level, as well as on any implementation support needed.

New solution in development 

Set to launch in 2025, the environmental sustainability solution aims to offer extra assurance regarding environmental sustainability topics, going beyond the GLOBALG.A.P. flagship Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard, which already includes core requirements on the topic.

The comprehensive solution will give producers worldwide the resources to create a measurable and scalable contribution to sustainable farming, helping build resilience against climate change and address key issues such as biodiversity and emissions management. Taking the form of either a standalone standard or an add-on, the solution will be harmonized with existing sustainability programs to reduce audit duplication where possible.

The solution’s requirements will be based on empirical data, internationally recognized metrics, and key legislative requirements, with core topics including soil health, water, greenhouse gases, food waste, regenerative agriculture, metrics, and more.

Designed for producers at various stages in their sustainability journey, the solution will be accessible to all.

The Environmental Sustainability Working Group

Tasked with shaping the environmental sustainability solution through sector-specific expertise, the ESWG is made up of over 80 stakeholders working to ensure a transparent, accessible, and cost-effective outcome.

“In a world awash with sustainability reporting and footprinting models, there is an urgent need for standardization at farm level to create one system that provides farmers, retailers, investors, and consumers with the means to measure sustainable farming practices,” said ESWG Chair Nigel Thorgrimsson.

“GLOBALG.A.P.’s position as the world’s leading farm assurance program provides an unrivaled opportunity to avoid duplication and to make a demonstrable contribution to sustainable farming on a global level.”

The ESWG is committed to designing a solution with opportunities for collaboration as well as change in the future, following the principle that sustainability topics are constantly evolving.