Meeting Sustainability Goals : Voluntary Sustainability Standards and the Role of the Government - 2nd Flagship Report of the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS)

This report examines the relationship between voluntary sustainability standards and public governance in advancing sustainable development within the framework of the 2030 Agenda. It analyses how governments, businesses, and civil society interact to support integrated economic, social, and environmental objectives. The document explores policy roles, regulatory conditions, and stakeholder engagement required to enhance the effectiveness of standards. It draws on literature reviews, expert commentaries, and empirical studies, including field surveys and spatial analyses, to assess impacts on biodiversity, deforestation, and production systems. Findings highlight both contributions and limitations of standards, emphasising governance coherence, measurement challenges, and the need for coordinated public and private action.