Benchmarking
About
In the sugarcane sector, many sustainability frameworks guide and measure sustainability. Benchmarking Bonsucro Standards against these frameworks promotes compatibility and adds value across the supply chain. This helps stakeholders understand and assess different tools.
As frameworks overlap in sectors, supply chains or regions, collaboration is crucial. Benchmarking aligns requirements, recognises other schemes, and reduces duplication, fostering better cooperation.
Benchmarking Protocol
One of our strategic aims is to create value across the supply chain. We continually seek opportunities to align and partner with other relevant sustainability standards and initiatives within sugarcane and beyond. The Bonsucro Benchmarking Protocol sets out how we create these partnerships.
The Protocol is flexible, allowing benchmarks for various purposes. It includes an Excel-based tool (the Bonsucro Benchmarking Assessment Tool) to document the process and ensure transparency.
SAI-FSA benchmark
The Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) 3.0 is a universal farm-level standard for agricultural crops, by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform). The Bonsucro Production Standard was benchmarked against the FSA 3.0 and achieved Gold Level equivalency.
UK regulation on biofuels
Bonsucro EU-RED
certification has been approved by the UK Department for Transport as ‘substantially equivalent’ to its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate. This recognition emphasises Bonsucro certification as a trusted option for compliance with UK regulations on biofuels.
FAQ
- + What does benchmarking at Bonsucro mean?
Benchmarking is the process used to compare the Bonsucro Production Standard with any tool, scheme or standard that improves and validates the performance of sugarcane producers. It shows the level of alignment between them and the mechanism used to verify (or assure) performance.
- + Why does Bonsucro have a benchmarking programme?
Bonsucro aims to ensure that responsible sugarcane production creates lasting value for the people, communities, businesses, economies and ecosystems in all cane-growing origins. Through benchmarking, Bonsucro provides global recognition and visibility to the Benchmarked Schemes and encourage an inclusive approach to sustainable improvement by identifying commonalities between schemes and the Bonsucro Production Standard, the most robust global reference framework in the sugarcane industry.
- + What are the benefits of having your scheme benchmarked by Bonsucro?
Having your tool, scheme or standard benchmarked against the Bonsucro Production Standard creates clarity and recognition within the global Bonsucro sugarcane community. Benchmarking gives Bonsucro members and stakeholders confidence to use a Benchmarked Scheme for guiding performance improvement, and to rely upon it for developing assured supply chains.
- + Can any organisation have its scheme, standard or tool benchmarked by Bonsucro?
Any organisation with a tool, scheme or standard designed to improve and validate the performance of sugarcane farms and/or mills can apply to undertake a Bonsucro benchmark. To apply to have your scheme benchmarked with Bonsucro, contact the Bonsucro team here.
- + How long is the status of Benchmarked Scheme valid for?
The benchmarking result and equivalency status are valid for three years. If there are any major/substantial changes to the benchmarked scheme within this time period, the scheme owner agrees to notify Bonsucro within three months of the change(s) being made. Bonsucro will assess if a full re-benchmark is required. Note: If the scheme owner does not notify Bonsucro of major/substantial changes, the scheme will lose its recognition status. After three years, the scheme will be re-assessed. A full re-benchmarking may be required if either the Bonsucro Production standard or the benchmarked schemes are revised or updated.
- + How credible is the status of a Benchmarked Scheme?
Bonsucro benchmarking is essentially a peer-to-peer process between Bonsucro and an external scheme or peer initiative. Bonsucro has taken a number of measures to ensure the credibility of the benchmarking process:
– Benchmarking is performed according to the Bonsucro Benchmarking Protocol, which sets out the requirements for the benchmarking process .
– Bonsucro outsources the actual process of benchmarking to an independent consultant to ensure the improvement scheme is reviewed objectively.
– A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Bonsucro and the Scheme Owner defines terms and conditions of the benchmarking process and communications about the benchmarking results.
Want to know more?
Find out how your organisation can get involved with Bonsucro Benchmarking.
