The key commitments of Aggregating Members are:
- Provide the names of members of their ‘program’ (so that the secretariat can align with applications etc)
- Provide the geographic boundary in which they are operating
o Explain the (stakeholder) management structure in place for the program - Explain the DSF Criteria prioritization process and the ultimate priorities agreed
- Provide the key initiatives/projects that are implemented as they seek to work towards the Strategic Intents of the prioritized areas
- The agreed KPIs/targets and timescales for the projects implemented
- Provision of an annual report of progress against these KPIs and targets for each of the projects that have been ‘listed’ with the DSF. The DSF will endeavor on its database to provide a ‘space’ in which relevant support documents (CSR reports/annual sustainability reports) can be stored and hyperlinks can be utilized to add further evidence to the actual DSF report.
- Implement the DSF Indicators (when they have been developed with members) as ‘measures’ of progress for each of the DSF Criteria areas they have prioritized and are operating activities under.
- Each year three case studies from different members at different levels of the value chain (if prioritized criteria permit…if not, three case studies) that are linked to the priorities and have associated projects are to be provided. These will be profiled on the DSF website when appropriate.
- Aggregating Members are required to be active members of the DSF Development Group. This unique group is actively involved in shaping the development and implementation of the DSF before ratification by the Governors.
The key commitments of Implementing Members are:
- Endorsing the 11 key sustainability criteria and Strategic Intents
- Establish appropriate governance for the ‘delivery’ of the DSF within the organization – a management structure of appropriate stakeholders
- Undertaking a prioritization of sustainability issues at a more local level (the prioritization process will support your key areas of focus locally)
- Implementing initiatives to address the priorities
- Delivery of the Plan, Do, Check and Adjust actions on existing programs to ensure they are continually evolving and addressing the key areas of interest
- Provision of annual reporting and updating of shared initiatives with the DSF
- Provision of data on DSF Global Indicators as required
- Provision of Case Studies for reporting (Aggregating members)
Shown below are various ways in which participants might use the framework and the purposes it could fulfil over time. Different organizations or groups may choose to enter this process at different stages depending on where they are in their sustainability journey. Taking this approach is absolutely appropriate as long as the Framework approach is implemented and continuous improvement is achieved.
Align with global issues and activity
At the most basic level participants are invited to endorse the framework and to use it to communicate how their activities are aligned with the global view and the eleven global sustainability categories.
Communicate direction
Using the activity data combined with the strategic intents, the DSF can demonstrate an aligned dairy sustainability direction.
Set priorities
By prioritizing the eleven global sustainability categories for their local operating environment, participants can demonstrate how their activities are contributing to the global view.
Demonstrate progress
Develop metrics that allow the measurement of progress for evaluation and wider communication both locally or through the DSF.
Set targets
Based on the performance measures, establish targets (on a local basis) for continuous improvement to be quantified and benchmarked.