Moving towards outcome-based standards

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Measuring results
A hybrid assurance model
Biodiversity indicators
Download project outputs

Introduction

Project details

Project title: Outcome-based hybrid approach to environmental assurance

Lead organisation: Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF)

Partners: NewForesight

Duration: May to November 2018

Measuring results

Sustainability standards depend on third-party audits to provide assurance that a certified operator is meeting the standard. These are usually based on an assessment of practices and processes that are expected to deliver positive outcomes for people and the environment, rather than on the actual outcomes achieved. Moving towards an assurance model that measures outcomes directly would enable sustainability standards and certified producers to better communicate their impact, while also providing valuable information to help improve and strengthen standards and practices. It would also encourage innovation and flexibility, enabling producers to concentrate more on achieving results than following processes.

A hybrid assurance model

With a grant from the Innovations Fund and support from sustainability consultants NewForesight, LEAF Marque began investigating how to transition its standard towards a hybrid assurance model that assesses outcomes alongside its current practice-based approach. The main area of focus was biodiversity, but soil management, water management and energy efficiency could also be considered in the future. Key issues were explored through desk research, interviews and a workshop with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Cotton field on a sunny day © Better Cotton Initiative

Biodiversity indicators

As a result of the discussions, two measurable biodiversity outcomes have been proposed:

populations of locally agreed indicator species
the percentage of land managed as habitat for native biodiversity.

Notwithstanding the focus on outcomes, it’s important that the processes leading to those outcomes continue to be recorded and monitored so that producers, auditors, standards and supply chain companies can learn from them.

LEAF is currently consulting on a revision to the LEAF Marque standard, but it hopes to include these first outcome-based indicators in the next version.

Download project outputs

Report | Outcome-based biodiversity approaches

This report provides a summary of LEAF's Outcome-Based Biodiversity Approaches project. Moving towards an outcome-based standard creates the opportunity for LEAF to communicate more closely on the impacts of implementing the LEAF Marque Standard, measuring outcomes directly rather than proxying them with practices. This will enable LEAF to tell our story more effectively and demonstrate the value of LEAF Marque. It also facilitates continual improvement and stimulates innovation and flexibility, key elements of Integrated Farm Management.

Report | Outcome-based biodiversity approaches353.56 KB

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