Leading the Charge: AidData and COSA's Groundbreaking Research
Thanks to generous support of the Gates Foundation, AidData and The Committee on Sustainability Assessment (COSA) are embarking on a one-year study to assess the measurement effectiveness and cost efficiency of digital tools used by coffee producers, traders, and government bodies to ensure EUDR compliance.
Key Objectives and Impact
The research aims to:
- Evaluate Accuracy and Cost-Effectiveness: Analyze various digital solutions, including satellite-based verification methods, to determine the most reliable and cost-efficient approaches for monitoring deforestation.
- Address Unintended Consequences: Explore potential challenges and impacts on small-scale coffee producers and identify opportunities for additional income.
- Enhance Compliance Practices: Provide practical insights and recommendations to optimize compliance efforts and support coffee producers in meeting EUDR requirements.
Global Collaboration and Practical Solutions
COSA, known for its expertise measuring sustainability in agriculture, and AidData, renowned in geospatial research and evaluation and remote sensing, are collaborating with regional partners, including Promecafe and GIZ, to build a global learning community around EUDR compliance. The study will first focus on Honduras—a major coffee exporter—and extend to Ethiopia, highlighting the need for scalable and adaptable compliance strategies.
Dr. Ariel BenYishay, AidData's Chief Economist, emphasizes, "Our goal is to develop a benchmark using the best available data options and compare different data sources to determine the most effective methods for EUDR compliance."
COSA's CEO, Liam Brody, adds, "Together with AidData, COSA will analyze the accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and data sovereignty of leading EUDR digital solutions. We aim to explore unintended consequences, particularly for small-scale farmers, and identify new opportunities for income generation. Our research will provide valuable insights for coffee farmers and buyers navigating the complexities of EUDR compliance."
Dr. Elena Serfilippi, COSA's Research Director, notes, "To verify that the plots from EAI participants aren't drastically different from other farms, we will also study data on a sample of 1,500 plots across Honduras using the coffee registry of the EAIs as well as IHCAFE. Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible and understand which approaches to EUDR compliance are the most realistic for coffee growers."
Looking Ahead
While this regulation technically only impacts products being sold in European markets, it is having a systemic impact on how a range of agricultural products are now traded anywhere in the world—especially with many brands committing to buy EUDR-compliant products regardless of the final market. Research will culminate in a comprehensive report to be published in mid-2025, providing coffee cooperatives and producers with actionable insights. The findings will be shared with networks in the U.S., Central America, and beyond, offering a clear understanding of costs, trade-offs, and best practices for deforestation compliance.
Seth Goodman, a Research Scientist at AidData, concludes, "We aim to deliver practical solutions that help smallholder farms stay competitive and compliant with regulations impacting their livelihoods. This research will offer real insights into the most effective and cost-efficient methods for deforestation monitoring."
About COSA
The Committee on Sustainability Assessment (COSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to measuring sustainability in agriculture and guiding businesses on sustainable sourcing practices.
About AidData
Housed at William & Mary's Global Research Institute, AidData is an international development research lab that connects decision-makers and researchers who have a shared interest in working together using granular data and innovative tools to solve pressing problems, precisely target resources, and use rigorous evidence to measure the impacts—intended and unintended—of policies and investments.
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SOURCE Committee on Sustainability Assessment
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Company Name: Committee on Sustainability Assessment
For media inquiries, interviews additional information, please contact: Alexander Wooley, AidData Director of Partnerships and Communications Email Contact +1.757.585.9875; Audra Wilson-Max, COSA Director of Communications & External Affairs Email Contact +263 71 221 1632 |