Sustainability clustering of spices
Study by the Center for Sustainable Management (ZNU) on the key sustainability challenges of spices.
Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung is funding a research project on the sustainability of spices and herbs at the Center for Sustainable Corporate Management (ZNU) at Witten/Herdecke University. The central result is that there are major differences between the most important growing countries and that companies have to deal with the specific challenges in order to bring about change. At the same time, the scientific literature shows that companies cannot rely on labels and seals to do this. In contrast, direct cooperation with direct and indirect suppliers in the supply chain offers more potential.
Study quantifies sustainability challenges and shows where companies can start
The Supply Chain Act, the obligation to report on sustainability, or the critical discussions in the media and society - the reasons why companies are looking at sustainable business are many and varied. However, spices and herbs are rarely considered in this debate. Moreover, there is a lack of scientific data on the specific effects of individual spices and herbs.
The aim of the study was therefore to quantify the main sustainability challenges of spices and herbs for the most important growing countries and to identify possible solutions. The analysis includes country-specific impacts on water scarcity, the use of critical pesticides and fertilizers, and human rights risks. These environmental and social impacts were identified as the key sustainability challenges of spices and herbs in a previous ZNU study. In order to show companies what opportunities they have to influence their supply chains, an overview of the scientific research literature is also provided.
University of Witten/Herdecke, Center for Sustainable Management (ZNU)
Project Manager: Dr. Ulrike Eberle, Julius Wenzig