IFOAM Organics Europe and the US based Organic Trade Association (OTA) have launched a transatlantic collaboration focused on policy coordination, research, and advocacy around sustainability and climate frameworks affecting organic farming. 

As sustainability reporting requirements and voluntary frameworks rapidly evolve, especially in Europe, the collaboration seeks to ensure that reporting methodologies reflect the holistic, systems-based nature of organic farming, rather than relying on narrow or fragmented indicators.

“This collaboration is about ensuring that sustainability reporting captures what organic farming actually delivers,” said Eduardo Cuoco, director of IFOAM Organics Europe. “Organic systems are complex by nature, generating environmental, climate, and social benefits that must be assessed in an integrated and meaningful way.”

The partnership will be coordinated by Bram Moeskops, senior expert research, Innovation, and Education at IFOAM Organics Europe and will cover research and policy analysis, including monitoring developments in international sustainability reporting and climate frameworks, as well as capacity building and communication.

This work also directly aligns with The Organic Center’s initiative to strengthen how environmental impacts are measured and reported for organic and other more complex agroecological farming systems.

“Organic farmers are already delivering real sustainability benefits, and we need better ways to reflect that work,” said Tom Chapman, co-chief executive officer of the Organic Trade Association. “By working together internationally, we can help ensure organic is understood, supported, and valued by markets, policymakers, and consumers.”

Main image: Courtesy, Being Organic in the EU