Related UN-SDGs
Who we are
G. Shainesh
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India. shaineshg@iimb.ac.in
Cecilia Soler
University of Gothenburg, Sweden. cecilia.soler@handels.gu.se
Next Conference Track
Goals and Objectives
Trade is a powerful engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction thus playing an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Global trade growth has been driven by businesses seeking higher profits by procuring from low-cost offshore destinations while consumers look for good quality, affordable products and services. This quest for low cost by companies as well as consumers creates adverse social and environmental impact through extended, energy consuming supply chains.
Sustainable value chains enable businesses balance economic, social and environmental objectives. Progressive companies have been addressing many of the persistent societal and environmental issues by shifting to sustainable value chains. At the same time, as consumers concerns for climate issues accelerate, they are increasingly seeking sustainable and ethical products.
We welcome papers addressing a wide range of issues related to sustainable value chain and trade. These include:
- New developments in sustainable value chains
- Adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, drones and robotics for managing sustainable value chains
- Facilitation through market-based governance mechanisms e.g. certification, direct sourcing trading, corporate own brand initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships for engaging with a wider set of stakeholders in the value chain
- Environment protection through zero-deforestation and other sustainability commitments
- Green supply chains
- Role of networks and partnerships between NGOs, businesses and governments for sustainable value chains
- Emerging consumer trends that drive sustainability initiatives by companies
Length and content of the proposed abstract to the track
Each proposed abstract (in connection to an area pointed out above) of between 300 and 500 words (including all aspects),
- Shall be best organized (without headlines) along usual structures (e.g. intro/method/findings or results/ discussion/conclusions)
- Does not need to, but can include references
- Shall provide in a final section
- a. to which SDG(s) and SDG-target(s) their proposed abstract especially relate to (e.g. “SDG+Target: 14.1.”).
- b. a brief indication how the proposed contribution relates to the topic of the Conference
Abstracts which do not outline points 3.a.) AND 3.b.) might be considered less relevant in the Review.
Potential publication channels
With regard to potential publications, depending on the number and quality of contributions the following publication opportunities have already been envisaged with:
Sustainable Development. Online ISSN: 1099-1719
Business Strategy and Environment. Online ISSN:1099-0836
Past Conference
News
BD-COP 2018 in Egypt
Our topic group has given input to the negotiators at the UN Biodiversity Conference 2018, the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity - COP 14, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 17-29 November 2018. ISDRS organized jointly with IUNCBD jointly a side-event where two policy briefs were presented on smarter use of certification; on how Governments can increase their impact; and on Lanscape Initiatives. Look for our Policy Briefs here.
Special Issue
We just publish a special issue in Business Strategy and the Environment about Challenges of the Sustainability Transition in Global Trade, based on the 5d track at the ISDRS conference in Lisbon in 2016.
Current trends
Recent analysis of current trends in the field of Voluntary Sustainability Standards is available at the ITC Sustainability Map's trends page.
Mainstreaming?
Are voluntary standards entering the mainstream now? See the latest data in the new State of Sustainability Markets 2017.
Moving beyond certification: direct trade
Third party certification is one way to improve production conditions of internationally traded products and commodities. End-producers directly collaborating with producers of coffee, cacao are another growing approach. We discuss developments in this field in a recent publication.
Knowledge Resources
State of the Art:
Still after three UN Conferences on Sustainable Development we are increasingly facing major persistent threats, like poverty, food insecurity, climate change, ecosystems degradation, which despite being known for a few decades are still far away from being solved – or are even still increasing. the level of individual business, this has four major implications [read more].
Routledge & Earthscans' Sustainability Hub
Find useful essays, free books and articles, case studies and more at our partner's website:
Recommended Sources:
The top useful sources are the following:
1) Full details about the growing number of voluntary sustainability standards can be found on the ITC Sustainability Map
2) ISEAL Alliance maintains a database of publications on impacts of certification.
3) Look at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network on Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems; and on Redefining the Role of Business.
4) Useful courses available at the UN SDG Academy; see for example "Globalization: past and future".
5) MSI Integrity has created a MSI Database, a searchable, online overview of the landscape of transnational, standard-setting MultiSItakeholder Initiatives.
LinkedIn Discussions
Recent discourses on the ISDRS LinkedIn discussion group:
Oct. 2017: Antonio Graca: Using sustainable development actions to promote the relevance of mountain wines in export markets.