Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia

This report examines the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) in the cotton sectors of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, analyzing how these standards interact with regional policy and trade to address environmental degradation and social challenges.

• South Asia provides 30% of the global supply of cotton lint, used in products such as medical supplies and textiles, though cultivation has caused significant social challenges and environmental degradation.
• Voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs)—including Better Cotton, Fairtrade, Organic, and the Responsible Environment Enhanced Livelihoods (REEL) Cotton Code—can drive improvements in water conservation, agrochemical use, and the incomes of textile workers and cotton farmers.
• The report recommends that VSS bodies improve product traceability and assurance systems, while policy-makers in South Asia should establish organic seed banks, update labor and environmental policies, and strengthen sustainability provisions within trade agreements.

APA

Sarmiento,, V. V. E. (2023). Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/voluntary-sustainability-standards-south-asia-cotton-supply

Chicago

Sarmiento,, Vivek Voora,Sara Elder,Florencia. Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2023. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/voluntary-sustainability-standards-south-asia-cotton-supply.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sarmiento, |first1=Vivek Voora,Sara Elder,Florencia |title=Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2 March 2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/voluntary-sustainability-standards-south-asia-cotton-supply |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sarmiento2023voluntary, author = {Sarmiento,, Vivek Voora,Sara Elder,Florencia}, title = {{Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, month = mar, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/voluntary-sustainability-standards-south-asia-cotton-supply}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }