Archive for the ‘Consultations’ Category

UNCCD COP16 Land Day | SFA Event Overview

Posted by Katy Edwards
Cop16-2024--02

UNCCD COP16

2nd – 13th December 2024

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Learn More & Register Here

RANGELAND STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (RSC) TO BE INTRODUCED AT UNCCD COP16 BY THE INITIATIVE'S ESTABLISHING PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE SUSTAINABLE FIBRE ALLIANCE (SFA)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – This December, the standard holding and membership organisation, the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), is joining together with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the GEF-funded STELARR (Sustainable Investments for Large-Scale Rangeland Restoration) Project – implemented by IUCN and executed by ILRI and partners – to officially introduce the Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC) initiative to the global participants of UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This two-week Conference of Parties will take place from the 2nd to the 13th of December 2024 to raise a global ambition, renew commitment, and accelerate investment and action to restore land and boost resilience for the benefit of people and the planet. Held under the theme Our Land. Our Future this year’s event coincides with UNCCD’s 30th anniversary and is set to be the largest UN land conference to date and the first held in the Middle East and North Africa region – a location that knows a great deal about the impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought – key topics to be discussed and addressed during COP16.

The RSC is dedicated to advancing the sustainable management of global rangelands, recognising their critical role in supporting human livelihoods, ensuring food security, and preserving biodiversity. Through engagement with the private sector, the RSC seeks to stimulate investment in rangeland ecosystems, creating positive environmental outcomes while protecting the livelihoods of local communities. Aligned with the ‘One Health’ approach, the RSC adopts a holistic perspective, considering the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment. With the support of collaborative partners and sector-wide colleagues, the RSC is establishing a global benchmark for responsible rangeland management by creating a unified standard known as the Global Rangelands Standard. Currently, there is no globally defined set of standards for rangeland stewardship; existing frameworks often focus on specific products or regions. The Global Rangelands Standard will provide a comprehensive framework for enhancing collaboration among these existing standards, facilitating the development of effective, adaptable global solutions. The Global Rangelands Standard aims to support market access for responsibly produced diverse rangeland commodities, encompassing product certification for fibre, leather, meat, milk, crop seed, recreation, and renewable energy.

1.Land_title

To officially introduce this global initiative and standards system during UNCCD’s COP16, the RSC’s collaborative partners are set to host a series of sessions throughout the two-week event. These include three of the main UNCCD-hosted events during the dedicated Land Day on the 4th of December.

Discover more about the Land Day events below:

GLOBAL RANGELANDS STANDARD: A FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE PASTORAL FUTURES

15:00-15:45, MET-25

During this session, key members and supporters of the Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC) will take to the stage to introduce the initiative, outlining its mission and ongoing efforts in safeguarding and improving global rangelands. The RSC’s Global Rangelands Standard will be presented as a critical benchmark for responsible rangeland management, emphasising its role in promoting practices that balance environmental and social priorities. Presentations will highlight the Global Rangelands Standard as a catalyst for private-sector investment in rangeland restoration, providing clear, accountable standards that align sustainability with long-term economic and environmental benefits. A key outcome of the session is to foster collaboration among the private sector, policymakers, and local communities to enhance land governance, ensure secure tenure, and support climate adaptation efforts.

COP PRESIDENCY EVENT ON RANGELANDS

16:00-17:00, MET-25

This session aims to amplify political attention to rangelands, mobilise investments, and foster international collaboration through initiatives. During this side event, the RSC and its partners will highlight the role of standards in global efforts to protect and restore rangelands. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the RSC aims to foster collaboration and drive meaningful action to address the ever-increasing challenges faced by the world’s rangelands. The RSC’s work emphasises the importance of coordinated strategies to ensure rangeland resilience, safeguard biodiversity, and support the communities that depend on them.

FASHION4LAND EVENT AT UNCCD COP16

18:00-20:00, MET-25

Set to unravel the intricate connection between land and the textile sector, the Fashion4Land event will explore how different fibre choices impact land and soil health and encourage holistic approaches to land use by the fashion industry. The event will underscore the fashion industry’s pivotal role in environmental sustainability and bring together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to examine the complex relationship between fashion and land. By exploring key policy frameworks and market-based mechanisms, this event seeks to raise awareness and foster global, cross-sectoral dialogue. The Fashion4Land event will conclude UNCCD’s COP16 Land Day with an exhibition and networking reception that offers a unique platform for exchanging ideas and strengthening collaborations.

For more information on these and other events hosted by the SFA and RSC’s collaborative partners, contact the SFA team at info@sustainablefibre.org. Alternatively, visit the official UNCCD COP16 website for further details on the event as a whole.

sfa-logo

ABOUT THE SUSTAINABLE FIBRE ALLIANCE (SFA)

Founded in 2015, the SFA is a non-profit standard holding and membership organisation. They represent a global alliance of supply chain actors, stakeholders, and industry experts with a vision for a responsible and inclusive global natural fibres sector that safeguards the health and well-being of people, animals and the environment. Working with the end-to-end supply chain, the SFA connects livestock herders in Mongolia and China to brands and retailers in the global fashion industry. The SFA Animal Fibre Standard outlines five global principles for responsible cashmere production, these are effective management, decent work, biodiversity and land use, animal welfare, and fibre quality improvement. Discover more about the SFA’s standards system and programmes on their website: https://sustainablefibre.org/

RSC_cmyk_long

ABOUT THE RANGELAND STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (RSC)

The Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC) is dedicated to advancing the sustainable management of global rangelands, recognising their pivotal role in supporting human livelihoods, ensuring food security, and preserving biodiversity. The initiative advocates for responsible stewardship by establishing a global standard that harmonises the production of essential resources with the conservation of wildlife habitats and the mitigation of climate change. It promotes best practices across diverse regions, grounded in core principles such as herder representation, traceability, carbon sequestration, culturally attentive practices, health and wellbeing initiatives, animal welfare, gender equality, and effective land management. The RSC is supported by the UNCCD, the SFA, and the Global Environment Facility-funded STELARR Project, which is implemented by IUCN and executed by ILRI and partners. Learn more about the RSC initiatives and its collaborative partners on the website: https://rangelandstewardship.org/

Katy Edwards

SFA MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

28 November 2024

SFA Mongolia Conference 2024 | Summary

Posted by Katy Edwards

"Overcoming Challenges & Meeting Expectations in Natural Fibres" - Summary of the SFA Mongolia Conference 2024

On 6th September 2024, SFA Mongolia successfully hosted their annual conference in Ulaanbaatar under the theme of Overcoming Challenges & Meeting Expectations in Natural Fibres.

The event was organised by the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Light Industry (MoFALI) and the Ministry of Environment & Tourism (MET) of Mongolia. Over 130 participants attended to discuss and seek solutions to critical issues facing the cashmere and wool sectors, such as climate change and risk resilience, pasture management, and improving cashmere quality.

Opening remarks were given by representatives from MoFALI and the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (MECC). This was followed by a presentation from the SFA, highlighting our main objectives for implementing standards and our initiatives targeted at herders and cooperatives.

The event was then sectioned into three distinct topics:

  • Overcoming Dzud Disaster Risk
  • Rangeland Stewardship Council – Global Rangeland Standard
  • Opportunities & Requirements for Improving Cashmere Quality

Government representatives, herders, cooperatives, cashmere processing companies, brands, and international experts actively participated in the discussions.

Key Presentations

One of the central themes of this year’s conference was climate change, with a particular focus on overcoming the negative impacts of the Dzud disaster through preparedness and collaboration. Presentations were delivered by government officials, herders, cooperatives, researchers, and international experts, addressing ways to mitigate the social and economic impacts of natural disasters through efforts of advanced preparation to reduce livestock loss.

The first-panel discussion of the event featured key presentations:

  • Collaboration Between the Government & Herders in Dzud Preparedness
  • The Social & Economic Impact of Dzud as a Natural Disaster
  • Experiences & Lessons in Minimising the Impact of Dzud

G. Naranchuluun, Head of the Department of Livestock Policy Implementation Coordination at MoFALI, emphasised the current state of the livestock sector, the importance of preparedness for Dzud, and the critical nature of cooperation between the Mongolian government and herders. They highlighted the challenges posed by pasture degradation and environmental changes, noting that 8.1 million livestock were lost in 2023.

“The designation of 2026 as the ‘International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists’ presents an opportunity to raise global awareness about the importance of Mongolia’s traditional pastoral systems and the value of healthy, organic products derived from this sector. We aim to use this year to promote the unique characteristics of nomadic livestock farming, its environmental benefits, and its sustainable practices while expanding international cooperation.” – G. Naranchuluun

D. Kadirbek, Head of the Management Department at the School of Economics & Business at the Mongolian University of Life Sciences, presented the findings of a study conducted in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) ADAPT Project. The study involved 1,001 herder households across 44 soums (regions) in Zavkhan, Khovd, Dornod, and Sukhbaatar aimags (provinces), providing detailed insights into livestock losses, economic damage, and the decline in herders’ income during Dzud, outlining the broader social and economic impacts.

“Livestock farming accounts for 12.8% of Mongolia’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), 4% of its total exports, and provides 54% of the added value in food production. As such, the development of this sector is critical for the economy, food security, and livelihoods. We clearly see the direct link between the frequency of Dzud and climate change. In 2024, approximately 8 million livestock perished, accounting for about 10% of the national herd, marking the highest loss since 2010. This loss resulted in economic damage of 2.5 trillion MNT, leading to a 27% decline in agricultural GDP growth.” – D. Kadirbek

Kh. Altantsetseg, representing the “Herders’ Cooperative Strength” from Bat-Ölzii soum in Övörkhangai aimag, shared the cooperative’s experiences and emphasised the importance of training, preparation, and skills in minimising the impacts of Dzud. Following the presentations, the SFA introduced a series of videos titled “Lessons from Dzud & Overcoming Its Challenges”,  summarising herders’ experiences and research findings on coping with Dzud.

Panel Discussions

Preparedness & Collaborative Efforts to Minimise Losses from Dzud

Rangeland Stewardship Council – Global Rangeland Standard

The Rangeland Stewardship Council’s (RSC) Global Rangeland Standard was introduced during the event, a new international system aimed at promoting sustainable rangeland management and responsible resource use in agriculture-based industries – including wool, cashmere, leather, meat, and dairy. This standard encompasses principles related to rangeland use, legal compliance, indigenous and local peoples’ rights, fair labour, and effective management.

A key solution for rangeland conservation and restoration, the standard is supported by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the GEF-funded STELARR (Sustainable Investments for Large-Scale Rangeland Restoration) Project, implemented by IUCN and executed by ILRI. According to Louise Baker, Director of the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD, the standard offers the most effective pathway for preserving rangeland resources.

Senior Analyst S. Erdenetsetseg, from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Tourism, shared current research on rangeland degradation and desertification in Mongolia, providing insights into the government’s initiatives to address these issues.

Open Roundtable on the RSC’s Global Rangeland Standard

Participants at the open roundtable and consultation discussion reviewed the draft version of the Global Rangeland Standard, submitting their feedback in writing. They discussed potential modifications, additions, and deletions to improve the draft. The consultation acknowledged that the standard could improve raw material quality, protect rangelands, and enhance herders’ livelihoods. It was also recognised that the standard could boost the value of cashmere and other animal-based raw materials, improving economic circulation in the sector.

To learn more about the Rangeland Stewardship Council and the development of the Global Rangeland Standard, please visit the RSC website at rangelandstewardship.org

Opportunities & Requirements for Improving Cashmere Quality

During this session, speakers highlighted the importance of improving the quality of Mongolian cashmere and raw material collection practices. Representatives from processing plants and herder cooperatives shared innovative practices for sorting and storing raw materials, such as switching from polypropylene to cloth bags. Research on improving cashmere quality through better feeding practices was also presented.

Key presentations included:

  • The Demand, Value & Importance of Certified Cashmere
  • Organising Breeding Programs to Improve Cashmere Quality
  • Results of Feeding Trials to Improve the Yield & Quality of Cashmere
  • Experiences & Lessons in Replacing Polypropylene Bags for Raw Cashmere
  • The Importance of Sorting Cashmere by Colour & Storing in Standard-Compliant Bags

During the panel discussion, Z. Uuganbayar, from Khanbogd Cashmere LLC, emphasised the critical role of herders in improving cashmere quality. He urged herders to avoid using damaged bags and eliminate the use of polypropylene bags. His company collaborates with the “Lusin Serchim” cooperative, which ensures raw cashmere is sorted and packed in labelled bags, streamlining the sorting and quality assurance processes.

SFA Herder Sustainability Awards

The highlight of the SFA Mongolia Conference is the presentation of the annual SFA Herder Sustainability Awards, supported by SFA brand and processor members, recognising the dedication toward the sustainability efforts of the participating herders and cooperatives for demonstrating leadership in sustainable practices, livestock management, and social responsibility.

Cooperatives “Khörkhiin Naran” from Nomgon soum, Umnugovi province, and “Janjin Tolgoi” from Erdenetsogt soum, Bayankhongor province, were recognised for improving the quality of cashmere preparation and increasing the value of raw cashmere from herders.

“Tselmeg Orkhon” a cooperative from Ölziit soum, Arkhangai province, was awarded for its high performance in training, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

The “Jinst Jiguur” cooperative from Bayankhongor soum, Bayankhongor province, was recognised for their successful efforts in training member herders against the SFA Standards.

Four cooperatives from three provinces were awarded for their quality improvement, increasing the value of cashmere from their member herders, high performance in training on SFA Standards, capacity building, and evaluation.

Five women herders were recognised for demonstrating their social responsibility and environmental stewardship in their sustainable livestock management.

“I’m sincerely grateful for SFA for constantly supporting us in improving the sustainable cashmere fibre structure and quality.” – Gereltuya Shombuu, Best Female Herder awardee, Khovd province, Mongolia.

Five young herders were recognised for upholding traditional nomadic herding culture while embracing modern practices and managing livestock through environmentally friendly practices.

“I have joined the cooperative three years ago. There are many advantages to preparing animal produce and raw materials. I particularly find the SFA training provided by the cooperative useful. We improve our skills in goat combing and sorting fibre for the supply chain.” – Tegshbayar Lhayambuu, Best Young Herder awardee from Khuvsugul province, Mongolia.

Five cooperative leaders were acknowledged for their success in collaborative efforts, leadership, and their role in social development.

Acknowledgements

The organisers of this year’s event would like to sincerely thank all the guests, speakers, herders, cooperatives, government representatives, and international organisations who participated in the SFA Mongolia Conference 2024: Overcoming Challenges & Meeting Expectations. Their contributions, insights, and shared experiences have provided invaluable input for our future activities.

The ideas and support presented during the conference will significantly contribute to the sustainable development of the cashmere and wool sectors and global competitiveness. We are confident that our collaborative efforts and the solutions we have developed will lead to tangible results and further support the growth of this vital industry.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to this year’s SFA Herder Sustainability Award supporters whose invaluable help made this event successful. Their generous contributions have helped reinforce our shared commitment to sustainability and recognise the hard work of Mongolia’s herders and cooperatives.

Thank you, and we look forward to continuing this journey of successful collaboration!

Tamir Bud

SFA COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

26 September 2024

Original posted on 11 September 2024: https://sustainablefibre.mn/nfc-2024-sub-session-in-mongolia/ 

Natural Fibre Connect 2024: Wool Days in Biella | SFA Event Overview

Posted by Katy Edwards

Wool Days in Biella

16th – 20th September 2024

Città Studi, Biella, Italy

Buy Tickets

A WORLD WITH MORE NATURAL FIBRES BY 2030

Natural Fibre Connect (NFC) will host its next annual event this September with its Wool Days in Biella, Italy. The event will feature three days of mill tour activities from the 16th to the 18th of September, a recycling side event in Prato on the 18th of September, and conclude with two main conference days in Biella on the 19th and 20th of September.

As co-hosts and organisers of the NFC, the SFA will participate in a series of sessions throughout the two-day main conference. Read below to discover more about one of these sessions…

RANGELAND STEWARDSHIP & GLOBAL STANDARDS

Join SFA’s CEO, Una Jones, during the first day of plenary sessions on Thursday the 19th as we introduce the highly anticipated session on Rangeland Stewardship & Global Standards. A direct follow-up from last year’s event, the session will provide conference attendees with exciting updates and developments from this past year.

A panel discussion will bring together key partners of the Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC), showcasing the collaborative and multistakeholder mission of the organisation. The session will cover key topics such as the One Health approach, diverse rangeland commodities, transparency, and a bottom-up strategy.

Concluding the session, the SFA’s Head of Standards, Dr David McElroy, will conduct an informative section where in-person attendees will have the unique opportunity to take part in a short consultation for the Global Rangeland Standard (GRS) – do not miss out on providing you valuable feedback for this new and innovative global standard.

SUPPORT THE SFA'S EVENTS

This dialogue is crucial for the SFA and RSC to deepen environmental impact and cannot be achieved without the vital help of our SFA Members. Contact us directly to learn more about sponsorship opportunities for SFA events and conferences.

Become an SFA Event & Conference Supporter

JOIN THE SFA MEMBERS' DINNER

The SFA will be looking to host a special dinner on Friday the 20th of September for all SFA Members joining the event, alongside our in-person team and Board of Directors. Please let us know if you are available to join and we will provide more information.

Join the SFA Members' Dinner in Biella, Italy

Click the button below to visit the Natural Fibre Connect (NFC) website and learn more about this year’s event. Ensure you purchase your ticket now to secure your seat!

Want to find out more about speaker opportunities, sponsorship, or any other aspect of this year’s event? Then please contact either the NFC or SFA teams for more information.

See you in Biella!

Natural Fibre Connect 2024 Website

Katy Edwards

SFA MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

13 August 2024

SFA Cashmere Standard v2.0 Public Consultation is Now Open

Posted by Katy Edwards

Update: This public consultation has now closed.

The SFA has opened public consultation on our draft SFA Cashmere Standard v2.0 and we are seeking feedback on the new proposed draft from all stakeholders and members of the public. Learn more about how to participate and provide feedback below…

Online Feedback Form

Please support us and provide your feedback on all aspects of the draft SFA Cashmere Standard v2.0 by clicking on the button below and completing our online feedback form.

All relevant documents can be found at the top of the form or at the bottom of this article.

Consultation on Draft SFA Cashmere Standard v2.0

Alternatively, if you are unable to complete the online feedback form for any reason, feel you are unable to participate due to a language barrier or have any other questions, then please do contact us at standards@sustainablefibre.org and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Draft SFA Cashmere Standard v2.0 & Consultation Documents

Before filling out the online feedback form, we ask that you first read the draft version of the SFA Cashmere Standard v2.0, as well as our Consultation Document as it explains in detail why we are doing this work.

Click the buttons below to read these documents, or find them at the top of the online feedback form where Mongolian and Chinese versions of the Consultation Document are also available.

SFA Cashmere Standard v2.0
Consultation Document

The standard review is being conducted as per the SFA’s Standard Setting Procedure, which follows ISEAL’s code of good practice on Standard Setting. Decisions are made by the Standard Setting and Improvement Committee (SSIC).

Many thanks,

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA)

Katy Edwards

SFA MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Updated: 5 August 2024

SFA Chain of Custody Standard Public Consultation is Now Open

Posted by Katy Edwards

Update: This public consultation has now closed.

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) has now opened public consultation on our draft SFA Chain of Custody Standard. We are seeking feedback on the new proposed draft from all stakeholders and members of the public.

Online Feedback Form

Please support us and provide your feedback on all aspects of the SFA Chain of Custody Standard by clicking on the button below and completing our online feedback form.

All relevant documents can be found at the top of the survey or at the bottom of this article.

Update: This consultation is now closed, thank you to all of those who participated.

Alternatively, if you are unable to complete the online survey for any reason, feel you are unable to participate due to a language barrier or have any other questions, then please do contact us at standards@sustainablefibre.org and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Draft SFA Chain of Custody Standard & Statement of Intent Documents

Before filling out the survey, we ask that you first read the draft version of the SFA Chain of Custody Standard as well as our Statement of Intent document as it explains in detail why we are doing this work.

Click the buttons below to read these documents, or find them at the top of the online survey where Mongolian and Chinese versions of the Statement of Intent are also available.

Draft SFA Chain of Custody Standard
SFA CoC Standard Statement of Intent

The standard review is being conducted as per the SFA’s Standard Setting Procedure, which follows ISEAL’s code of good practice on Standard Setting. Decisions are made by the Standard Setting and Improvement Committee (SSIC).

Many thanks,

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance

Katy Edwards

SFA MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Updated: 16 January 2024

The Sustainable Cashmere Standard Public Consultation is Now Open

Posted by Katy Edwards

SFA first published codes of practice for rangeland stewardship, animal husbandry, and clean fibre processing. The focus for each of these is on continuous improvement with certification at three award levels to reflect compliance. 

In 2022 the SFA is proposing consolidating into the Sustainable Cashmere Standard, a performance-based, outcome-oriented worldwide standard. The Principles and Criteria focus on the production of cashmere in a way that is measurably better for animals, the environment, and herding communities. 

The SCS Principles are the essential rules or elements of environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable cashmere production, and the Criteria provide the means of judging whether or not a Principle has been fulfilled. 

To find our more, visit our website for more details. 

Round Two of Public Consultation on SFA-ICCAW Cashmere Goat Welfare Code of Practice is Now Open…

Posted by Katy Edwards

Round two of the Public Consultation for the joint SFA-ICCAW Code of Practice development is now open for feedback until 12pm on 15th February 2021. More information can be found here.

Round Two of Public Consultation on Clean Fibre Processing (review) is now open…

Posted by Katy Edwards

Round two of the Clean Fibre Processing Code of Practice review is now open until 31st January 2021 for your feedback. More information can be found here.

Public Consultation on Clean Fibre Processing (review) is now open…

Posted by Katy Edwards

The public consultation on the review of The Clean Fibre Processing Code of Practice is open until September 30th. Click here to access the public summary and relevant documents.

Public Consultation on SFA x ICCAW Goat Welfare Code of Practice now open…

Posted by Katy Edwards

The first round of public consultation is now open until the 16th October please follow the link for the public summary.