Phase 2C Final Report

What is the report about?

The final report of Phase 2C (May 2022) has four parts, separately published:

Part 1 – Synthesis of results‍

Key messages, synthesis of results, next steps and detailed acknowledgements of the funders, governance, partners, and people involved in this work.

Part 2 – Index indicators

Process/methodology overview and details on Index indicators.

Part 3 – Highlights of projects

Summaries of most projects; highlights of what is pertinent to inform the Index and future work.

Part 4 – Research papers

Three papers on policy, consumer trust, and ESG (environment, social, governance) factors.

Go to Publications

A chart showing which part (1–4) of the final report in which to find major items

A view of agri-food sustainability

What could a future Index measure?

The Index presents the criteria for measuring agri-food sector sustainability on a consolidated basis. (“Food sector” includes all supply chains stakeholders directly involved in agricultural production through to retail.)

It includes a suite of 20 indicators, 50 sub-indicators and over 100 metrics. The intent is to paint a comprehensive view of sustainability – showing areas of leadership and shortcomings.

A full diagram showing themes, indicators and sub-indicators of the proposed Index

Phase 3 pilot

What is the current pilot about?

A pilot is to take the Index from concept to reality – 2022–2023

A pilot presents an opportunity to test it, better grasp the limitations of the available data and methodologies, see how the Index aligns with existing metrics in practice, and determine where the Index can be best housed and how the Index can be improved and utilized. Given the data gaps, the pilot will need to short-list what can be measured.

The pilot work plan includes five broad areas of focus and multuple individual projects:

Project 1: Managing the work plan, final reporting, and engaging partners and stakeholders
Project 2: Positioning the Index for the future by planning for long-term funding and reviewing the governance structure of the proposed Centre for Agri-Food Performance
Project 3: Compiling the Index; sourcing data and methodologies; elaborating on the global context; considering how to best source suitable data in the future
Project 4: Housing / Communicating Index version 1.0; preparing it for publication; interpreting key results
Project 5: Applying the Index (selectively) across the food system and learning from its use

Commenced in June 2022, phase 3 aims to publish a modest version Index 1.0 in the spring of 2023.

Participation

To be a partner in developing Canada’s first agri-food sustainability index, please contact:

David McInnes
‍Coordinator
‍National Index on Agri-Food Performance
info@agrifoodindex.ca