Decoding IPR

UNDERSTANDING GI AND SDGs:

In the expansive realm of global trade, where goods traverse across countries, continents and cultures, Geographical Indications (GIs) emerge as beacons of local  heritage,  directing consumers to the rich tapestry of tradition woven into each distinct region.  In the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), these geographical indicators not only illuminate the path towards economic prosperity but also serve as guardians of cultural diversity and environmental sustainability.

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a label applied to goods that originated in a certain region and possess characteristics or a reputation unique to that region. The product’s attributes, features, or reputation should be primarily attributed to its place of origin (for instance, the kind, the climate or soil, the traditional knowledge employed at each level, the particular materials used, etc.). There is an obvious connection between the product and its geographical place of production because the attributes are dependent on the geographic location of production. A sign that identifies a product as coming from a specific location is necessary for it to serve as a GI. 

The United Nations approved the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), often referred to as the Global Goals, in 2015 as a global call to action to end poverty, safeguard the environment, and guarantee that by 2030 all people live in peace and prosperity. The SDGs comprise of 17 goals.  The 17 SDGs are interconnected; they acknowledge that actions adopted in one area will have an impact on other areas and that development must strike a balance between environmental, social, and economic sustainability.  

As we set out on this journey, we unravel the symbiotic relationship between GIs and SDGs, exploring how these Geographical Indications contribute to poverty reduction, rural development, tourism, SMEs and environmental sustainability. Through insights from experts, and real-world examples, we uncover the challenges and opportunities inherent in leveraging GIs towards the attainment of SDGs.

TRENDS IN THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN GI & SDGs

The growing practices of using Geographical Indications (GIs) to steer toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) show the way towards a more sustainable future, much as a compass leads sailors through unchartered waters. These trends indicate a rising recognition of GIs as harbingers of opportunity that point us in the direction of sustainable development.

Economic Empowerment: 
GIs are becoming more widely acknowledged as instruments for advancing regional economic growth and lowering poverty (SDG 1). GIs foster economic opportunities in rural regions and contribute to equitable and sustainable economic growth by assisting small-scale producers and traditional industries (SDG 8).

Preservation of Cultural Legacy: 
GIs contribute to the preservation of cultural diversity and identity by safeguarding traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and heritage connected with particular geographical locations (SDG 11). This helps communities that depend on traditional agricultural methods for their livelihoods and promotes cultural sustainability (SDG 2).

Championing environmental stewardship:
In line with objectives for sustainable agriculture (SDG 2) and biodiversity conservation (SDG 15), GIs frequently support ecologically sound farming methods and biodiversity preservation. GIs support environmental sustainability and climate action by protecting distinctive habitats and advancing agroecological methods (SDG 13).

Expanding Market Horizons:
Small-scale manufacturers might gain easier access to markets by using GIs to distinguish their products according to factors like origin, quality, and cultural heritage. This encourages fair trade methods and helps small-scale producers become more powerful (SDG 10).

Encouraging sustainable production and ethical consumption:
By rewarding goods with distinctive cultural and geographic characteristics, GIs stimulate sustainable consumption habits and empower customers to make informed decisions. This is in line with SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) as it encourages sustainable food systems and minimizes food waste.

Fostering Community Empowerment and Social Inclusion:
Through the recognition and preservation of their traditional knowledge and cultural history, GIs strengthen local communities, particularly those made up of marginalized and indigenous peoples. This promotes fair and sustainable development by empowering people in society (SDG 5).

Partnerships and Collaboration: 
Governments, international organizations, civic society, and corporate sector players are increasingly forming partnerships to support and safeguard GIs. Through coordinated action, these collaborations promote information exchange, capacity building, and policy coherence, which helps accomplish multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 17).

Therefore, it is evident that the shift towards using Geographical Indications (GIs) to further the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represents an all-encompassing plan for sustainable development. Through the utilization of geographical indications, which offer cultural, economic, and environmental benefits, this approach also aims to tackle a complicated web of challenges confronting communities and ecosystems on a global scale.

MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS 

How does GI contribute to poverty reduction and Economic empowerment?

Geographical Indications (GIs) are essential in reducing poverty by promoting economic empowerment, preserving traditional knowledge, providing market access and price premiums, fostering community development, and empowering marginalized groups. GIs enable rural communities to participate in value-added activities related to the production, processing, and marketing of unique products, generating income and employment. They also preserve traditional skills and craftsmanship, ensuring the continuity of intergenerational knowledge transfer.

In rural areas of India, the production of Geographical Indication (GI) products serves as a significant source of income and employment, thereby stimulating economic growth. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced due to the prevalence of rural settings where

many geographical regions are situated. GIs empower marginalized groups, such as small-scale farmers, indigenous communities, and women, by providing them with a platform to participate in economic activities on more equitable terms.  The economic benefits of GI extend to sustaining livelihoods and enhancing living standards for rural residents. By involving rural communities in the production of GI products, we ensure their inclusion in economic development efforts. The protection of GIs also fosters product differentiation based on quality, facilitating the creation of specialized market segments. 

The economic impact of GI protection is underscored by examples such as the substantial price increases observed in Darjeeling tea, basmati rice, and Thanjavur paintings post-GI grant, alongside notable increases in associated employment opportunities. Notably, the Following GI registration, these saris experienced heightened demand, resulting in increased wages for weavers and significant growth in the industry. As more products obtain GI protection, the future trajectory of GIs in India is evident, as evidenced by initiatives like Amazon’s local-to-global program, which expands market access for Indian producers, leading to exponential growth in demand and company size. GIs often command premium prices in domestic and international markets, increasing the income of producers and farmers associated with GI products. 

The success of GI products can lead to investments in local infrastructure, improving transportation networks, processing facilities, and tourism infrastructure, which in turn benefit the socio-economic development of the region.  Safeguarding geographical indications contributes significantly to the economic well-being of manufacturers and producers. Additionally, the marketing and promotion of products carrying GI tags stimulate secondary economic activities within the respective region, thereby fostering regional economic growth. Importantly, the protection of geographical indications cultivates a favorable image and reputation for the product among consumers, while also providing producers with incentives and improved return on investment.

How does GI contribute to Sustainable agricultural practices?

India’s agriculture is crucial for its economy and sustaining its population. Sustainable practices like crop diversification and efficient water management are essential to ensure food security, land degradation, and environmental stability. These practices also protect biodiversity, preserve natural resources, and enhance farmers’ economic prosperity by boosting crop yields, reducing input costs, and promoting value addition and market expansion.  In India, Geographical Indication (GI) labels have become essential instruments for promoting and maintaining traditional farming methods. They protect traditional farming practices and traditional knowledge while validating the distinctive characteristics of locally produced goods. In the context of Indian agriculture, GI labels are essential for maintaining traditional and sustainable agricultural practices.

Identifying and protecting agricultural goods with unique characteristics connected to their geographic origins is the main goal of GI labeling. As an illustration, Darjeeling tea, which is prized both for its flavor and aroma, is designated as a GI-labeled product that can only be found within the precise borders of Darjeeling. This safeguard maintains both the unique qualities of the product and the basic, age-old farming practices that are essential to its existence.

Because GI labels come with financial incentives, farmers are highly driven to pursue traditional and sustainable farming practices. The financial benefits of maintaining conventional processes are closely correlated with the recognition and premium pricing associated with items bearing the GI designation. Farmers who use environmentally conscious methods are paid more for their produce on the market. Sometimes gaining a GI label requires documentation and transmission of traditional knowledge related to a product. Future generations will benefit greatly from this documentation, which helps to preserve rural communities’ cultural legacy and traditional farming methods, both of which are in danger of vanishing over time.

Furthermore, GI designations are strongly associated with regional biodiversity, which promotes the preservation of distinct ecological conditions unique to a given area.   For example, in India’s Indo-Gangetic plains, traditional agricultural methods are used to raise GI-labeled Basmati rice, which emphasizes sustainable farming practices like organic production and low pesticide use. These practices support soil health and environmental protection in addition to preserving the distinct flavor and large grains of Basmati rice. Similar to this, goods like the GI-designated saffron from Kashmir Valley highlight characteristics related to the area’s unique soil and climate, encouraging the preservation of the delicate ecology required for their production.

Thus, Geographical Indication labels are devoted to act as custodians of customary farming techniques, recognizing and preserving the unique qualities of agricultural goods and advancing environmentally friendly farming techniques refined through the years. This helps to ensure that sustainable farming methods and traditional knowledge are preserved for future generations, as well as the authenticity of India’s agricultural products and agricultural legacy. 

How does GI contribute to SME?

WIPO says that the GIs support SMEs through five distinct ways:

• Consumers today value the origin and quality of goods, and GIs provide detailed information on the physical location and production methods of GI-certified goods. These labels offer a guarantee of origin and specific characteristics, allowing consumers to understand the quality, production methods, and local traditions. This leads to higher prices for GI-certified goods, benefiting SMEs that build consumer confidence and secure a good return on investment.
• GIs boost local products’ reputation and value, supporting local businesses. Producers operating in the geographical area who meet the GI standards can benefit from a registered GI. These quality-enhanced goods made by the producers, who often are SMEs, can sell at higher prices, as GI-protected products are typically sold for more than twice the price of non-GI products.
• GI-certified products offer consumers information about their origin and production methods, demonstrating producers’ commitment to societal issues like environmental, health, and labor-friendly policies. The strong link between products and their geographical origin emphasizes the need to preserve local natural resources for long-term production. SMEs that use GI to promote sustainability are rewarded when consumers choose sustainable products over others in the market.
• GI-certified products are promoted to create a positive image and boost economic development in the region of origin. Collective action allows SMEs to market their local products abroad, increasing the region’s international profile and boosting tourism, as consumers often visit their origin countries.
• GIs increase local product value and prevent fraudulent use of GI-denominated products. They serve as IP rights, protecting against misappropriation and unfair competition. SME Producers have exclusive rights to use GIs and prevent third-party use originating from different regions or not meeting production standards.

How does GI help in achieving sustainable tourism?

Geographical indications (GIs) are crucial for promoting sustainable tourism by highlighting and protecting unique cultural, natural, and historical features of specific locations. They differentiate destinations in a competitive market, attracting visitors seeking authentic experiences while supporting local communities and ecosystems. GIs emphasize the conservation of cultural and natural heritage, encouraging visitors to respect local culture and environment, thereby promoting the environmental sustainability. GIs also empower local communities and tourism stakeholders by promoting products and services unique to a particular region. By involving local stakeholders in decision-making and resource allocation, GIs contribute to the fair sharing of tourism benefits and social cohesion. 

For instance, Gastronomy tourism that involves visits to food production areas, festivals, or local restaurants to experience and observe the taste or production of region-specific foods.  It focuses on cultural elements like language, religion, traditions, history, and art, shaping the identity of the region. Local foods play a vital role in forming this identity and influencing tourists’ destination preferences. Gastronomy tourists seek to experience foods and beverages unique to a region, contributing to cultural understanding and appreciation. Geographical Indication (GI) registered products are crucial in sustaining gastronomy tourism as they preserve cultural diversity and transmit local food traditions to future generations, thus ensuring the continuity of cultural heritage and tourism sustainability.

Thus, GIs act as effective tools for promoting sustainable tourism, protecting cultural and natural heritage, supporting local economies, and promoting cultural exchange and community empowerment.

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY OF GI (SSGI)

• Sustainability is a continuous improvement process, aiming to empower GIs by choosing relevant goals based on their own priorities. This principle requires regular evaluation of the priorities and actions of GIs, as new challenges arise continuously. 
• The SSGI aims to provide a place-based framework adapted to GI specificities, recognizing the importance of local resources and conditions for GI impacts. It includes providing a list of indicators for stakeholders to select the most appropriate ones for their specific systems, including cultural and natural dimensions and biodiversity.
• GIs are voluntary and collective endeavors, involving different producers through participatory processes. Bottom-up approaches are considered more effective in the long term, and the framework should support various types of GIs with different degrees of maturity, resource capacity, and knowledge bases for sustainability requirements.
• Sustainability is a complex matter that requires a solid scientific approach to avoid greenwashing. The framework must benefit from academic work and concrete experience in sustainability to be operational and facilitate actions. It must be consistent with other recognized sustainability frameworks to ensure it is solid and robust, combining different types of indicators and allowing bridges between frameworks and indicators used by other value chain actors and potential allies.
• A collective sustainability path is built on the sum of individual paths from each GI stakeholder along the value chain. Both individual and collective indicators are essential, and the framework must be adapted for both internal engagement and external alliances.

CHALLENGES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

• It is found that the bulk of GIs are registered for agricultural and handicraft items. The remaining GIs, however, are registered in different domains, such as manufactured, natural, and food commodities. By supplying the raw materials at the government-subsidized rate and enlightening and inspiring the producers and artisans, the other categories should also flourish.
• Developing nations like India require financial and technical support to market their products internationally and attain the sustainability through GI. The main issue in India is that, in contrast to producers who actually have an interest, merchants swallow the dragon’s share of economic or monetary benefits made possible by the GI. A few examples, such as the glassware from Firozabad and Lucknow Chikankari, demonstrate that merely registering GI will not help to preserve and promote the art or provide any appreciable benefits for the craftsmen. The ASSOCHAM secretary general, Mr. DS Rawat, stated that the growing competition from mill and factory-made goods, the scarcity of raw materials, the lack of sufficient financing, and the highly fragmented nature of the Chikankari industry have all contributed to its difficulties.
• A common artisan or rural producer struggles to afford the planned strategy to bring GI products to the global market and obtain an international GI brand. This also involves monitoring costs for developing self-GI mechanisms or hiring legal services to monitor infringement instances. Many states have spent significant amounts on legal action to protect their GIs from infringement, such as Darjeeling Tea and Pochampally Ikat.

Supportive actions can help producers engage in sustainability pathways, particularly for smallholders lacking capacities and resources. These actions include supporting the assessment and monitoring of sustainability in GI systems through external or self-evaluation, providing incentives for GI sustainability, and facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity development within the country and through international cooperation. These actions aim to ensure that GI systems comply with sustainability specifications and become financially autonomous.