LEAF
 

Independent Evaluation of LEAF Marque

LEAF commissions evaluations that focus mainly on meeting member needs and are carried out by independent researchers whose work meets
professional standards. These studies provide a vital tool which allows us to assess the effec­tive­ness of our work and be cer­tain that it is advanc­ing envi­ron­men­tal change.

Home / LEAF Marque / Our impact / Monitoring and Evaluation / Independent Evaluation of LEAF Marque

The provision of robust, transparent and independent evaluation to support the claims we make about the benefits and impact of LEAF Marque certification, are a vital part of our continual improvement. That is why we invest in monitoring and evaluation. We regularly commission independent impact evaluations that provide vital insights into the impact of our work and how we need to continually respond, improve and adapt. Research guides our way forward.

This latest evaluation study was carried out by Mike Read Associates (MRA) from November 2020 to March 2021. The objective of the study was to evaluate how LEAF Marque supports the ‘enabling environment’ for LEAF’s broader work, and forms a key part of our new 10-year strategy implementation. Methodology included semi-structured interviews with farmers, suppliers, retailers, brands, government agencies, consultants and members of the farming media. Interviews with LEAF staff and ISEAL members, literature review and a workshop with LEAF staff. The work built on previous independent studies carried out in 2010 and 2017 by the Countryside and Community Research Institute.


LEAF Marque goes beyond being purely a certification system. It grows:

  • LEAF's voice
  • Impact
  • Awareness
  • Rewards
  • Recognition
  • Retailer Reputation
  • The LEAF Community
  • Value
  • Credibility

Our Learnings:

Grow recognition of the LEAF Marque logo & what it means

Grow carbon reduction offer

Grow market opportunities

Grow benchmarking with other standards

Grow the LEAF Sustainable Farming Review offer

Grow harmonised metrics

Grow reach - sector, region, country

LEAF's Response:

“LEAF welcomes the outcomes of this evaluation, which confirm our belief that LEAF Marque certification goes beyond just creating market opportunities, but also underpins LEAF’s overall strategic objectives of delivering and promoting more sustainable farming and food through ‘beyond certification’ activities. The findings indicate that every aspect of LEAF’s work is supported, in one or more ways, by the existence of LEAF Marque, and the credibility, tools and income that it provides."

Grow­ing LEAF Mar­que: Lis­ten­ing | Adapt­ing | Improving

Read LEAF’s full response and take a look at our sum­ma­ry doc­u­ment here.

Read now

Effect and Impact of LEAF Marque

Another independent study was car­ried out by the Coun­try­side and Com­mu­ni­ty Research Insti­tute (CCRI). It set out to look at the impact and added val­ue to farm­ers of LEAF Mar­que cer­ti­fi­ca­tion.

The study eval­u­at­ed eco­nom­ic, envi­ron­men­tal and social out­comes of the LEAF Mar­que assur­ance sys­tem for farmers. The findings are below:

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Here are links to the reports and supplementary documents:

Highlights document | Report Summary | Full Report | LEAF Response

Your Feedback

If you have questions, feedback or suggestions about the LEAF Marque Monitoring and Evaluation processes, including our Independent Evaluation process, please email [email protected].