Do sustainability certifications contribute to social justice and environmental protection? (Review of Janina Grabs (2020) Selling Sustainability Short, Cambridge University Press)

Do sustainability certifications contribute to social justice and environmental protection? Selling Sustainability Short is a groundbreaking work that draws on extant research to introduce a com- prehensive, novel theoretical framework for answering this question. It also offers a compelling response, based on original, rigorous multimethod research in the coffee sector. Grabs argues that the effectiveness of “fair trade” and “eco labels” depends on their ability to offer financial incen- tives for radical shifts toward deep ecology and social justice. Unfortunately, certifications rarely succeed in internalizing the true costs of production in this way. Certifications could become more effective, Grabs argues, if multiple stakeholder groups implemented expensive and exten- sive reforms. But such deep transformation may be unrealistic and inefficient. Selling Sustainabil- ity Short is required reading for students, scholars, CEOs, and certification organizations alike.