This Year's Theme - Fair Trade + Ecology

• Fair Trade is a force for protecting the environment while promoting sustainable development. Fair Trade favours the sustainable use of natural resources and production methods that are not capital and oil intensive, favouring hand production and organic agriculture - to reduce the carbon footprint. Because Fair Trade is committed to paying a living wage and works in long-term partnerships, it enables producer partners to invest in environmentally friendly production. In turn, these initiatives promote environmental awareness locally and internationally.
• In the South - Fair Trade supports producers to develop a local market for their products, to build a sustainable economic system and regional development - including strengthening Fair Trade networks and retailing initiatives in the developing world.
• In the North - Fair Trade focuses on products that are generally not available in that region. Campaigning for a trading system that prioritises peoples livelihoods and the environment - working often in close collaboration with local farmer initiatives to promote sustainability in the countries where Fair Trade products are sold.
• Justice for the South - the communities of the developing world have amongst the lightest environmental footprints. However, these are the very people whose food security, livelihoods and homes are most threatened by climate change and environmental destruction. Fair Trade is a system that puts people and environment central to trading to promote social and environmental justice.
• Fair Trade has helped millions escape from poverty and we, Fair Trade producer groups, buyers and campaigners, don’t want environmental injustice to undermine poverty further. Fair Trade communities in both the South and the North therefore call on all consumers to change their lifestyles and shopping habits, and thereby minimise the negative impacts their choices have on the environment in which we all live.

Why?

• Marginalised communities of the developing world have amongst the lightest environmental footprints.
• However, they are also the very people whose food security, livelihoods and homes are most threatened by climate change and environmental destruction.
• The present economic system with profit at any cost undermines people and the environment.

how?

• Through paying a fair price and long term relationships we put people and the environment first.
• Sustainable use of natural resources and biodegradable materials.
• Supports hand-production and production that is not capital and oil intensive.
• Enables producer partners to invest in environmentally friendly production initiatives to minimize environment-impact.
• Promotes environmental awareness and consumer empowerment.

Now?

We therefore call on all consumers to change their lifestyle and shopping habits. Buy carefully and considerately - choose Fair Trade products.

Fair Trade for Our World
Fair Trade + Ecology Products