Scanning the Transparency of Commodity Supply Chains: Lessons from Beef Production in the Brazilian Amazon

In recent years, a flurry of supply chain tracing systems and research initiatives have emerged to address beef-related deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, the cattle industry being responsible for 90% of forest loss. To what extent are these transparency systems capable of promoting accountability for deforestation? Based on multisite field research, interviews, public transparency evaluations, and an extensive collection of reports and audits, we examine the anatomy, evolution, and key transparency dilemmas germane to Brazil’s pioneering supply chain transparency initiatives (i.e. the Beef Zero Deforestation Commitment [Beef ZDC]). Our results highlight four key dilemmas that hinder the capacity of transparency to bring about accountability. These dilemmas, denoted by the acronym SCAN, include the ubiquity of misrepresentation in self-reporting, complexity that hampers tracing and popular comprehension, access to public information failures, and non-comprehensive coverage of the supply chain. SCAN has implications for commodity supply chains around the world. Our findings enjoin policymakers to strengthen commitments to transparency and, given the failures of current systems, consider using remote monitoring, individual vehicle and cattle tracking, and co-reporting systems.