Value Beyond Value Chains Guidance Note - Version 1

Published on February 10, 2022

While some companies have managed to significantly improve the sustainability performance of their own supply chains, generating a positive impact on sustainable production practices on the ground, a two-tier system has been created where there are ‘islands’ of good practice, while a ‘business as usual’ approach continues at a lower level for the rest. Through the Value Beyond Value Chains (VBV) Guidance Note for the private sector, UNDP proposes a joint solution to this problem, explaining the rationale for companies to act beyond their value chains to help create the enabling conditions for sustainable production.

This guidance note focuses on how companies can collaborate more effectively with governments in producer countries to create the enabling conditions for sustainable agricultural production. It has been produced for major producers and buyers of agricultural commodities. It is of particular relevance to commodities produced in tropical forest countries where agricultural expansion is driving deforestation. However, the guidance also has relevance to other agricultural commodities and other regions.