Connecting sustainability performance to the global goals for coffee and cotton | ISEAL Alliance

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The need for common metrics
About the Delta Framework
Testing the Delta Framework
Benefit to producers
Download project outputs

Introduction

About the project

Project title: The Delta Project: Bridging the Gap in Measuring and Reporting Sustainability Performance

Lead organisation: Better Cotton

Partners: Global Coffee Platform, International Coffee organisation, International Cotton Advisory Committee Expert Panel on Social, Environmental and Economic Performance of Cotton Production

Duration: February 2019 - June 2022

Contact: Eliane Augareils - eliane.augareils@bettercotton.org

Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, through the ISEAL Innovations Fund

Hemp sacks on pallets © sculpies, Adobe stock

The need for common metrics

The number of sustainability systems and initiatives that promote responsible and sustainable production practices is increasing. However, it is complicated to compare results between these interventions because there is no consistency in the metrics used and many are not even aligned with key frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This general lack of alignment hinders the aggregation of sustainability performance data and thus limits the potential of a whole sector to report against its contribution to national and global sustainability. Equally noteworthy is the significant additional burden it creates for producers and companies in terms of reporting.

Cotton field with water tower © Better Cotton Initiative

About the Delta Framework

The Delta Framework is a common sustainability reporting framework for the agriculture sector developed by Better Cotton and the Global Coffee Platform (GCP) in close collaboration with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) and the International Coffee Association (ICO). The framework consists of 15 environmental, economic and social indicators aligned with the SDGs, and accompanying guidance material on data collection methodologies and tools, for example a methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.

Access all guidance and resources on the Delta Framework website

Fair Trade Certified Coffee, Congales Echeverri y CIA SCA © Fairtrade USA

Testing the Delta Framework

Various pilots were conducted during the project to understand the challenges and opportunities in collecting data against the indicators in the Delta Framework. Pilots involved small and large-scale cotton and coffee farms in India, Brazil, China, Peru, South Africa and Vietnam. The pilots broadly confirmed the relevance and suitability of the methodologies proposed to monitor the indicators, but they also brought to light certain challenges like the absence of institutional capacity in specific areas of expertise, e.g., water management or gender.

Cotton field, USA © BCI

Benefit to producers

The use of the Delta Framework has clear benefits for producers, both small and large-scale. It provides clearer insights on the impact of their practices and a better understanding of their performance relative to peers, as the data can be more easily aggregated at a national level. Moreover, equipped with more information on cross-sector sustainability performance, Voluntary Standard Systems (VSS) and/or their partners will be able to improve support services, help expand access to finance, and advocate for more supportive agricultural policies.

Download project outputs

Delta Framework - Initial Desktop Research

This document outlines the desktop research conducted at the start of the project and explains the process how the Delta Framework was developed.

Delta Framework - Initial Desktop Research1.3 MB

Delta Framework - Sustainability Indicators

This document presents the set of 15 indicators, the rationale for their selection, definitions, methodological notes, and main references for each indicator. It also includes the learnings from pilot testing the indicators in different countries and settings.

Delta Framework - Sustainability Indicators 8.41 MB

Delta Framework – Pilots Report

This document summarizes the consolidated learnings from the different pilots of the Delta indicators.

Delta Framework – Pilots Report910.24 KB

Integrating New Performance Indicators Into Sustainability Systems: Practical Considerations

This document includes considerations and a set of guiding questions designed to support the inclusion of the indicators in the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) and other organisations.

Integrating New Performance Indicators Into Sustainability Systems: Practical Considerations960.29 KB

Description of a Common Data Model for the Delta Framework Indicators

This document supports the implementation of common data models to facilitate future data aggregation and collective reporting.

Description of a Common Data Model for the Delta Framework Indicators1.64 MB

National Reporting Tool and Guidance

This methodology aims to support national commodity associations and other relevant public bodies to aggregate producer-level data using the Delta indicators to assess and report on the sustainability performance of the commodity’s production at country level.

National Reporting Tool and Guidance1.88 MB

Delta Framework Sustainability Indicators - Visual

Overview of the 15 Delta indicators on a 1-page graph.

Delta Framework Sustainability Indicators – Visual371.92 KB

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