Summary
This study uses CRECE’s adaptation of the COSA approach to assess the impact of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) in Colombia on the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of coffee farmers’ livelihoods. Data was collected from a longitudinal and panel data set over three years, including VSS intervention farms and non-certified control farms. The VSS interventions include four certification systems (Fairtrade, Organic, Rainforest Alliance, and UTZ), and three codes of conduct (Nespresso AAA, 4C, and Starbuck’s C.A.F.E Practices). The researchers use Principal Component Analysis for ordered categories to analyse sustainability performance. The results show that on average the farmers participating in VSS schemes experienced improved social, environmental and economic conditions compared to the control group, however the differences decrease over time. Further investigation should focus on gaining understanding of the complexity of impact, taking into account factors such as farmers’ starting points, regional conditions, number of certifications, and time since certification.