This 2017 ISEAL report demonstrates how sustainability standards that are ISEAL members are already contributing to the SDGs, pulling together evidence, primarily from members’ evaluation studies and monitoring data and select external sources, of how certification is driving positive economic, social and environmental impacts in many sectors, resulting in measurable progress toward SDG targets. This report builds on infographics published by ISEAL on the contribution of standards to the SDGs and complements a WWF/ISEAL report on how businesses can use credible voluntary sustainability standards to achieve the SDGs, both publish in February 2017.

This report focuses on standards contribution to SDG 2 linked to sustainable agriculture, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth and SDGs 6&7 on water and energy efficiency and demonstrates how “ISEAL members’ standards are already engaged in many of the areas that are most relevant to the SDGs – from enhancing the livelihoods of people living in poverty, to supporting workers’ rights and gender equality, to addressing water and energy use, to minimising negative impacts on the climate, biodiversity and ecosystems.”

Data and examples on how standards are driving change are detailed throughout this report on issues such as:

• Agricultural productivity
• Farmer incomes
• Ecological conservation
• Economic productivity and entrepreneurship
• Workers’ safety, rights and wellbeing
• Tackling child labour
• Water conservation and management  
• Energy efficiency

To read the original, full report, click below.