Position paper

Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction
In September 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United
Nations. The 17 goals and 169 accompanying targets determine the international development
agenda and the goals of the global community to be reached by 2030. 1 These include ending
extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, tackling
gender inequality, combating climate change and ensuring decent work for all.

The SDGs are an important diplomatic step towards a sustainable future. The ambitious agenda
provides an opportunity for the world to step up their efforts for sustainable development and a
framework for governments, business and civil society to work together towards a more equitable,
fairer and safer world.

UTZ recognizes the broad support for the SDGs by business, governments and civil society as a
significant achievement, whilst recognizing the challenge ahead in translating this d iplomatic
agreement into action and impact. Our mission, to make sustainable farming the norm, means
much of our work is already closely aligned with the ambitions of the SDGs. This position paper
explores how the SDGs are a stimulus for our mission and how UTZ contributes to the SDGs.

has a role to play, whether it is one farmer

Why are the SDGs important? applying good agricultural practices or an
The SDGs are a rallying cry to take better care international plan to eliminate child labor.
of our planet and its inhabitants, in a way that
does not compromise the needs of future Lastly, they emphasize the power of
generations. There are several reasons why partnerships. Whereas its predecessors, the
the SDGs provide a global opportunity. Millennium Development Goals, resulted from
a science-based exercise by experts, the SDGs
First, they acknowledge that sustainability emerged from an extensive consultation
needs to be approached holistically. The SDGs process with not only states through the UN,
aim to balance the dimensions of but also with civil society, labor unions and the
sustainability – economic, environmental and private sector. In this way, the SDGs can
social – and recognize their interconnectivity. benefit from the power of collaborative
This gives us the chance to reconsider global advantage, in which different players
supply chains and pursue a world in which the strengthen each other’s efforts.
“economy serves society, so that it evolves
within the safe operating space of the In short, the SDGs are a global call to action,
planet.”2 This transformation is a prerequisite which recognizes the need for a holistic and
for sustainable agriculture. collaborative approach. It provides an
opportunity to step up sustainability efforts.
In addition, the SDGs recognize that the 2030
agenda requires a local, regional and global What is UTZ’s position towards the
scope. UTZ appreciates this approach, as we SDGs?
have experienced that making supply chains The SDGs provide a unique momentum to
sustainable requires a multi-level approach. collectively work towards sustainable
Every effort towards sustainable development development, however, it needs to be
acknowledged that bringing diplomatic action

1
See the 2015 UN Resolution “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”
2
Stockholm Resilience Centre. 2016. How food connects all the SDGs.
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to impact on the ground will remain a including large and transnational companies
challenge. Specific and concrete measures on to ensure they adopt sustainable practices. In
both global and local level are required to addition, through various control points in our
translate the SDGs into impact. Code of Conduct and complementary projects
regarding sustainable water management
A joint report by WWF and ISEAL Alliance 3 (SDG 6), climate change mitigation and
illustrates how sustainability standards, as adaptation (SDG 13), gender equality (SDG 5),
instruments for business, can help accelerate decent working conditions (SDG 8) and more,
progress on many of the SDGs, while the SDGs are at the heart of our approach. In
delivering direct benefits for companies and figure 1, an overview of UTZ’s contribution to
small-scale producers. UTZ has a unique the SDGs can be found.
position in the sector to contribute to the
achievement of the SDGs. The combination of In addition, UTZ functions as an enabler for
field interventions that stimulate Good business to contribute to the SDGs. Our
Agricultural Practices and leveraging market rigorous assurance model and traceability
demand for sustainable products is a proven system provide transparency in supply chains,
model that works towards sustainable sector providing insights that business need to take
transformation with mutual benefit. In this action.
way, UTZ and other sustainability standards
enable business to contribute to the SDGs. Lastly, UTZ’s multi-stakeholder approach has
been key to our growth and to its efforts to
facilitate sector transformation. This is in line
UTZ’s contribution to the SDGs with SDG 17 on partnerships. We work with
There are several ways in which UTZ governments, companies, civil society
contributes to the SDGs: organizations, other sustainability programs
and farmers alike in working towards a
Within the UTZ approach we are already sustainable future. In 2016, UTZ entered into
working directly on tackling some of the key a strategic partnership with the Dutch
goals outlined in the SDGs. Ensuring Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sector
sustainable consumption and production Partnerships: Building Capacities for Change –
patterns (SDG 12) is directly aligned with our which allows us to work with a wider group of
mission to make supply chains more civil society stakeholders, to lobby and
sustainable. We work with major buyers in the advocate for sector wide change on issues
cocoa, coffee, tea and hazelnut sector such as child labor, living wages, climate
change and productivity.

Conclusion
The SDGs represent a diplomatic milestone towards a sustainable future. The ambitious agenda
provides an opportunity for the world to step up and move towards sustainable development. UTZ
applauds that the goals have a holistic approach towards sustainability and emphasize that working
together is essential for their achievement. UTZ has a unique position regarding the SDGs, as we
enable different actors throughout the supply chain to take action. Standards and certification
systems can be a tool for companies to contribute to the SDGs. Achieving more sustainable
agricultural supply chains will only happen when producers, private sector actors, governments and
sustainability programs work together in a multi-stakeholder collaboration.

3
WWF (2017). SDGs mean business: How credible standards can help companies deliver the 2030 agenda.
Position paper
Sustainable Development Goals
Figure 1: UTZ’s contribution to the SDGs

SDG UTZ Code of Conduct requirements Other UTZ efforts

Responsible production lies at the heart of
UTZ’s Code of Conduct. It focuses on good
agricultural practices, enabling farmers to
strengthen their productivity – producing a
higher yield of a better quality, more
efficiently. At the same time, social and
environmental requirements contribute to
better lives for farmers, their families and
workers, and the protection of the earth’s
natural resources. In other words, the Code
of Conduct is about all aspects of
responsible production.
We work with governments, companies,
civil society organizations, other
sustainability programs and farmers
alike in working towards a sustainable
future. Through the sector partnership,
funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, UTZ promotes more sustainable
farming practices by cooperating with
civil society, governments and
companies to improve policy and
regulation, and to strengthen sector
wide services for smallholders and
female farmers. Also, we support the
development of a thriving civil society
that can drive change.

The code requires farmers to ensure Living wage and child labor are core
worker’s rights on freedom of association, themes in the Strategic Partnership with
working hours, wages, and respectful the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
treatment, and healthy and safe working
conditions for workers. This includes record
keeping and evaluation on these topics.

UTZ is dedicated to the full eradication of

forced and child labor and invests in
measures to prevent, detect, remediate and
ultimately eradicate child labor on all UTZ
certified farms. The code requires groups to
appoint a child labor liaison.

UTZ requires individual farms to work

towards a living wage for workers.
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SDG UTZ Code of Conduct requirements Other UTZ efforts

The code requires measures on both climate Climate and water is a core theme in the
change adaptation and mitigation. Strategic Partnership with the Dutch
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Certificate holders should assist farmers in
adapting to important climate change
impacts, increase energy efficiency, reduce
air contamination and manage waste
responsibly.
The code requires the protection of natural
habitats, natural resources and biodiversity,
for example through preservation activities
and forest management plans. The
requirement includes record keeping and
evaluation on these topics.

In addition, the code does not allow

deforestation or degradation of primary
forest and requires the careful management
of other types of forest.
The Code of Conduct promotes equal rights Gender is a core theme in the Strategic
and opportunities for men and women, such Partnership with the Dutch Ministry of
as equal pay and no discrimination. It also Foreign Affairs.
requires measures to ensure equal
opportunities for women to participate in
training and awareness raising sessions.
A key part of the UTZ approach is working The approaches we have used within the
with farmers and producer groups to help coffee, cocoa and tea sector are now
them to improve their productivity and being shared more broadly, and in the
incomes. case of sustainable food crops, our most
important new partnership is with the
An UTZ certified farm or group is required to Sustainable Rice Platform.
have an Internal Management System (IMS)
that ensures access to input and training and
materials on good agricultural practices.
Sustainable and responsible use of water in Climate and water is a core theme in the
production and processing, e. g. good Strategic Partnership with the Dutch
wastewater management, are included in Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
the code.

Responsible irrigation methods, e. g.

efficient water use, extraction from
sustainable sources and avoidance of water
contamination are also promoted

Safe and healthy working conditions and

access to health care for workers and their
families. Training and awareness raising
activities for workers and their family on
health, safety and hygiene, are required.
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SDG UTZ Code of Conduct requirements Other UTZ efforts

Better farming practices, including the UTZ leverages the market to demand
diversification of production to support and reward sustainable products,
economic resilience, are important to ensure creating opportunities for farmers.
farmers can earn a living income.

The Code requires equal access to training

and awareness raising activities, without
discrimination.