Commodity-Centric Landscape Governance as a Double-Edged Sword: The Case of Soy and the Cerrado Working Group in Brazil

摘要: Persistent ecological and socio-economic impacts from the expansion of industrial monocultures in tropics have raised land use sustainability to top environmental policy agenda. As major crops such as soy continue experience growing market demand threaten both natural ecosystems traditional populations, a number multi-stakeholder governance initiatives been established around agricultural commodity chains or key landscapes. Effectiveness curbing unsustainable use, however, remains limited. In this context, innovative blurred lines combine supply chain landscape governance. We analyze arrangements – here conceptualized commodity-centric (CCLG) with an in-depth case study Cerrado Working Group, initiative led by civil society agribusiness address change that savannah Brazil. The paper examines how has come about, its agenda, well usually underexposed political dimensions using agenda-setting theory. research is based on extensive fieldwork Brazil, data collected through document analysis 56 key-informant interviews. findings suggest sustainable development agenda for substantially narrowed become mostly one conversion-free supply, serving more interests agroindustry consumers than those landscape’s most vulnerable stakeholders, local communities. While Group importantly broadened scope beyond certification, limited inclusiveness skewed instruments target only farmers beneficiaries. conclude that, although effective targeting conversion drivers, CCLG can reinforce existing patterns granting disproportionate power dominant stakeholders thus limiting incremental changes. consequence, distant demand-side actors may exert greater authority own population. If embodying norms equitable participation, serve entry point, but it does not per se replace inclusive land-use planning integrated