open access publication

Article, 2024

Global governance through voluntary sustainability standards: Developments, trends and challenges

Global Policy, ISSN 1758-5880, 1758-5899, 10.1111/1758-5899.13401

Contributors

Marx, Axel 0000-0003-1474-0539 (Corresponding author) [1] Depoorter, Charline 0000-0001-6463-8132 [1] De Córdoba, Santiago Fernández [2] Verma, Rupal [2] Araoz, Mercedes [3] Auld, Graeme 0000-0002-4054-7284 [4] Bemelmans, Janne 0000-0003-1024-1169 [1] Bennett, Elizabeth A. [5] Boonaert, Eva 0000-0002-6526-5304 [1] Brandi, Clara A 0000-0002-1469-1143 [6] Dietz, Thomas [7] Fouilleux, Eve 0000-0001-6991-0932 [8] [9] Grabs, Janina [10] Gulbrandsen, Lars H 0000-0002-7006-3336 [11] Harrison, James [12] Heilmayr, Robert 0000-0001-8980-9639 [13] Hernandez, Ariel [14] Hoekman, Bernard M 0000-0002-6839-7142 [15] Lambert, Siti Rubiah [2] Lambin, Eric F 0000-0002-0673-5257 [16] [17] Li, Li [18] Maertens, Miet [1] Batistic, Paulo Mortara [7] Michida, Etsuyo [19] Nakagawa, Junji [20] Negi, Archna [21] Pérez-Pineda, Jorge Antonio [22] [23] Ponte, Stefano 0000-0001-6788-8700 [24] Rueda, Ximena 0000-0002-5991-4048 [25] Schleifer, Philip [26] Thorstensen, Vera Helena [27] Van Der Ven, Hamish 0000-0002-9223-9080 [28]

Affiliations

  1. [1] KU Leuven
    2. [NORA names: Belgium; Europe, EU; OECD];
  2. [2] UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland
    3. [NORA names: Switzerland; Europe, Non-EU; OECD];
  3. [3] University of the Pacific
    4. [NORA names: Peru; America, South];
  4. [4] Carleton University
    5. [NORA names: Canada; America, North; OECD];
  5. [5] Lewis & Clark College
    6. [NORA names: United States; America, North; OECD];

Abstract

Abstract Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) are transnational governance instruments that can be leveraged to pursue sustainable development in global value chains. They have proliferated since the 1990s in terms of their number and the share of global production they govern. This paper shares some key insights arising from the considerable body of literature that has analysed the role of these instruments for sustainable production and trade. First, it introduces VSS, traces the evolution of their adoption and takes stock of the research on their sustainability impacts. Next, some major developments in the VSS realm are discussed, related to public policy and the emergence of national sustainability standards. The paper then zooms in on the challenges and limitations of VSS in transforming value chains towards sustainability, focusing on the shortcomings related to inclusiveness and the problems arising from their proliferation. The paper concludes by distilling recommendations on overcoming these challenges, especially in light of recent policy developments, and outlines what different stakeholders can do to make VSS more effective and inclusive instruments for sustainable value chains.

Keywords

Abstract, adoption, body of literature, chain, challenges, considerable body, considerable body of literature, development, emergency, evolution, global governance, global production, global value chains, governance instruments, government, impact, inclusion, instrument, limitations, literature, number, policy, policy development, problem, production, proliferation, public policy, realm, recommendations, research, stakeholders, standards, stock, sustainability, sustainability standards, sustainable development, sustainable value chains, sustained impact, trade, trends, value chain, voluntary sustainability standards

Funders

  • Research Foundation - Flanders

Data Provider: Digital Science

LINKS
-

Matching Records in NORA

SUBJECTS
+

METRICS
+