| Measuring Sustainability |
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| Thursday, 09 September 2010 18:56 |
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Of Interest to Growers Sustainability has become very important to our society. Through sustainable purchasing policies, for instance, governments have been trying to motivate growers to use fewer chemical products. Convinced that sustainability is more than just reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides, however, two years ago the Dutch-based ZLTO Business Group took the initiative to develop an integral evaluation system for sustainability in the nursery sector. Board member Henk Raaijmakers of the ZLTO Business Group sums it up this way: “Sustainability is not only about ecology, but also about social and cultural aspects such as safety, a good working environment, education and economic factors. Think about labor, knowledge and purchasing of inputs. We think that it is important to focus on these as well. We want to make sure that everybody is aware that the nursery industry is more proactive about sustainability than is generally acknowledged. We need to ensure that our efforts in this area are fully recognized.” The other driving factor behind this initiative is the multiplicity of currently available certification systems, each one having different parameters by which they measure and certify. “We wanted to take the initiative to avoid being at the mercy of various levels of government and certifiers.” Telos model To ensure a national system with buy-in from nurseries across the country, participation on the Sustainable Nurseries Steering Committee by all related industry organizations was solicited. Several organic growers were also invited to sit on the committee. In addition, a company specialized in knowledge transfer was contracted to create an evaluation system. The project’s costs were paid for by the Product Board for Horticulture, a levy-based fund into which all growers must pay and which finances various technology, research and promotion activities on behalf of the sector. The system is based on a model developed by Telos, the Brabant Centre for Sustainable Development, developed in 1999 as an interdisciplinary and independent centre with the objective of studying, monitoring and supporting sustainable development initiatives. (www.telos.nl/English/default.aspx) The model distinguishes three types of capital:
Sustainability in the nursery sector is focused on the ability to measure three important indicators, which have been dubbed the three P’s of planet, people and prosperity. According to Raaijmakers, “Research and trade journal articles have been used as the basis for the model. As a business group we have also added our own input after many intensive discussions. Rather than being divisive, the different views within the group actually served to be an inspiration.” Raaijmaker adds enthusiastically that the group added a fourth ‘P’ to the Telos model: passion. “We refer here to the pleasure in, and the passion for, the business and for sustainable business practices. Many growers have taken responsibility for their actions by implementing sustainable production practices. This stems from the belief that we did not inherit the world from our parents, but rather that we are borrowing it from our children.” Checklist A value was determined for each of the indicators. Raaijmakers explains, “In essence, the model is a checklist. Each grower can go through the list and score points based on his or her practices. The sustainability of one’s business is determined by the number of points scored.” A grower can score zero to three points for each indicator. No points are awarded for minimum or legally required practices. One, two or three points can be scored depending on the extra sustainable initiatives related to the indicator. “The weight that is given to certain activities is determined as the result of scientific research and discussions within the working group. The model has also been presented to more than 20 growers. Their comments and input have also been added.” Raaijmakers names the indicator ‘Agricultural Nature’, which falls under ecological capital or planet as an example. One of the questions in the model asks whether the grower has developed a business nature plan. If this is not the case, no points are awarded (after all it is not legally required). If the business nature plan is aimed at standard activities within the normal course of business, one point is awarded. If extra activities are targeted, two points can be awarded. And if the plan also includes activities in the general community, three points are awarded. Practical Trials This sustainability evaluation system will soon be officially unveiled under the name ‘T(h)ree Sustainability’. It is anticipated that approximately 30 growers will pilot the system in their nurseries. The pilot program has been carefully designed to include as wide a variety of growers as possible, including different crops, production methods and size of businesses. It will be the intent of the pilot program to determine whether the indicators and the evaluation system are workable for the large diversity of nursery businesses in The Netherlands. Adjustments can then be made according to the results. Says Raaijmakers, “We hope to complete the trials this year, so that we can start marketing the model. A communication’s plan is currently being developed. We have already decided that workshops will be held, articles in trade magazines will be published and a website will be developed. In addition the model will be tested by the Telos-Institute and Wageningen University. We also have the ambition to introduce the system internationally with growers, governments as other market players. Next year we want to visit some international trade shows and we will also have some workshops planned during Floriade 2012.” A Marketing Tool It is important for growers to realize that the ability to prove sustainable production practices to the marketplace can result in an economic return. While it is not anticipated that the evaluation system will become mandatory, given the importance of sustainability in today’s society, it is reasonable to expect a significant demand from the retail marketplace. In theory, this increased demand will result in better prices for those products that score higher in the sustainability evaluation system. According to Raaijmakers the model itself will also spur growers to incorporate even more sustainable practices in their businesses. Further, it is also expected that all appropriate levels of government will be more inclined to help a sustainable grower than a non-sustainable grower in the approval of their expansion plans. “In addition we hope that governments and certification bodies will utilize the standard and follow our lead. In this manner we hope to reduce the duplication and the tame the jungle of rules and certifications schemes aimed at sustainability.” Source: De Boomkwekerij |
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