Premium
Critical remarks on the governance of sustainability: On the institutional framework of standards
Author(s) -
Mann Stefan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
sustainable development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1099-1719
pISSN - 0968-0802
DOI - 10.1002/sd.1718
Subject(s) - sustainability , scope (computer science) , corporate governance , sustainability organizations , standardization , transaction cost , business , social sustainability , purchasing , public economics , accounting , economics , political science , marketing , finance , ecology , computer science , law , biology , programming language
Sustainability assessment is on the rise: both the number and the importance of tools and labels are increasing quickly. This paper begins with the notion that today's organization of sustainability assessment is tribal, with small groups competing against each other. Using standards for social sustainability as a case in point, the vast heterogeneity in scale and scope of standards is demonstrated. The prevailing differences cause high transaction costs for consumers who are interested in purchasing sustainably. Using both historical evidence from the organic sector and the debate on information asymmetries as a rationale for the state to intervene, the paper concludes that the involvement of national governments in sustainability assessment would constitute progress, but that international coordination would be even better. It suggests engaging the International Organization for Standardization.