1. What is the Member Progress Framework?
The Member Progress Framework is a structured, step-by-step roadmap designed to help trading businesses engage with sustainable practices and improve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact. It offers five levels of achievement for tracking progress and earning recognition as members implement sustainable changes within their operations.
2. Why and how was it developed?
The Member Progress Framework was developed in direct response to feedback from our members. Over the past year, many members expressed the need for a clear and actionable way to track and communicate their sustainability progress. To address this, designed a framework in consultation with members, tailored specifically to the needs of trading businesses.
The development process focused on creating a tool that would provide:
- A right-sized model for trading businesses, tailored to where the industry stands today.
- A structured approach with clear steps to help members make meaningful progress.
- A flexible pathway that accommodates members at any stage of their sustainability journey.
This collaborative approach ensured the framework is practical, scalable and achievable, offering the guidance and recognition members need to make impactful changes and advance sustainability within the trading industry.
3. Who can participate in the framework?
The framework is available to all members of Sustainable Trading. It is specifically tailored to the trading industry, making it relevant to trading businesses of all sizes and stages of their sustainability journey.
4. Why should my organisation participate in the Member Progress Framework?
By adopting the Member Progress Framework, your organisation gains several key benefits:
- Clear pathway: The framework provides a structured, step-by-step approach that allows gradual, meaningful improvements in their sustainability efforts, regardless of where they are on their journey.
- Recognition: As members progress through the levels, they earn digital badges that can be shared with clients, stakeholders and industry peers. This public recognition reinforces their commitment to sustainability.
- Credibility: Participation builds credibility and demonstrates alignment with evolving expectations and best practices in sustainable trading.
- Industry impact: Advancing through the framework not only drives internal change, but also contributes to raising sustainability standards across the entire trading industry, fostering long-term, holistic change.
5. How does the framework work?
The framework is divided into five incremental levels—Participating, Contributing, Adopting, Integrating and Delivering—each building on the previous one. Members move through these levels at a pace that suits their needs and resources.
6. Is the Member Progress Framework right for my organisation if we are just starting our sustainability journey?
Yes! The framework is designed to be accessible for trading businesses at all stages of their sustainability journey. The Participating level offers a straightforward entry point, and from there, members can advance step-by-step. Whether you are just beginning or already well along the path, the framework offers a clear, structured way to move forward.
7. What kind of changes will we need to make to progress through the framework?
To advance through the framework, your trading business will need to make measurable improvements in three key areas:
- Work programme participation: Active engagement in our work programme including attendance in, contribution to and, eventually, the leading of working group meetings.
- Best practices implementation: Incorporate practical change within the trading business and measure progress on implementation of this change.
- Engagement on sustainability: Advocate for change by socialising sustainability internally within the member organisation and externally across the trading industry.
8. How long does it take to complete each level?
The framework is designed to be flexible, allowing members to progress at their own pace. There are no strict time limits, but we encourage steady advancement through the levels to ensure continuous improvement. The pace depends on individual resources, priorities and the complexity of the changes relative to the existing operations.
9. How are members recognised for their progress?
As each level of the framework is completed, members are awarded digital badges that can be shared within email signatures, on websites, in marketing materials and on social media. These badges offer public recognition of sustainability progress, enhancing their reputation within the industry.
10. How does this framework align with broader corporate sustainability initiatives?
Addressing the specific operational needs of the trading industry, the framework is designed to facilitate action at the grassroots in support of broader corporate programmes. It can work in tandem and complement broader strategies and initiatives that may already be in place.
11. Is there a cost to join the Member Progress Framework?
Participation in the Member Progress Framework is included as part of the Sustainable Trading membership. If your trading business is not yet a member, you will need to join Sustainable Trading to access the framework and its benefits.
12. What support is available to help us succeed?
Sustainable Trading offers various resources and support to help members succeed within the framework, including:
- Guides and toolkits to help trading businesses understand and implement environmental, social and governance best practices.
- Networking and regular working groups for members to share knowledge and develop ideas alongside like-minded industry peers.
- Dedicated support from Sustainable Trading’s team to assist members at every step of their sustainability journey.
13. How does the framework contribute to industry-wide change?
As more trading businesses adopt the framework and advance through its levels, it helps to raise overall sustainability standards across the entire trading industry. Such collective progress fosters long-term, positive change by making sustainability a core aspect of trading businesses.
14. How do I get started with the Member Progress Framework?
Getting started is easy! Contact our team to learn more about the framework and joining Sustainable Trading.