Environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the farming industry. GLOBALG.A.P.’s holistic flagship standard, Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA), includes core requirements for various topics relating to environmental sustainability. However, some stakeholders want to go that extra mile to demonstrate their commitment to this crucial topic. The decision was therefore made to develop and launch a farm assurance solution that will support this by 2025.
To drive the development of the environmental sustainability solution forward, an Environmental Sustainability Working Group (ESWG) will be set up. The main task of the ESWG will be to develop an environmental sustainability solution in the form of an add-on or stand-alone standard, to be launched in 2025. The ESWG will explore how the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat can further embrace environmental sustainability while observing the principle of avoiding duplication at farm level in terms of certification, harmonization with existing sustainability programs, and the cost-effective adoption of good agricultural practices.
The ESWG shall consist of stakeholders whose expertise is relevant to the field of environmental sustainability.
If you are interested in participating in this exciting development, please send information to committees@globalgap.org demonstrating:
- Your role within the industry
- Knowledge of the impact of sustainable farming on the industry, including enablers like sustainability finance, sustainability reporting, and capacity building
- Knowledge (science based/technical) of sustainable farming and the effect of farming on the environment
- Practical experience in implementation
Any potential or current conflicts of interest must be disclosed for consideration and shall be presented to the GLOBALG.A.P. Advisory Board for resolution, if necessary.
The first meeting will kick off in late May.
Further details can be found in the terms of reference.
Indicative project timeline
May–Sept. 2023
Concept development and initial drafting of rules and principles and criteria
Late Sept.–Oct. 2023
First public consultation period for the draft normative documents
Nov. 2023–Jan. 2024
Review and integration of feedback received in collaboration with GLOBALG.A.P. Focus Groups
and Technical Committees
Feb. 2024
Final round of public consultation and field trials to test performance and suitability
Mar.–Apr. 2024
Review and finalization of the normative documents
May–June 2024
Recommendation of the final normative documents by the technical committees and adoption by
the GLOBALG.A.P. Advisory Board
July 2024–2025
Prelaunch preparations including proofreading, training development, and integration into the
GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems
2025
Launch of the environmental sustainability solution. The launch date will be confirmed closer
to completion .