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World Fair Trade Day this year is accompanied by the theme, “For the Planet. For the People”, which explores Fair Trade’s links to the environment. Fair Trade is as an option that not only offers consumers the means by which to value the people who make our products, but also the opportunity to reduce our environmental footprint.
Five reasons why Fair Trade is good for the environment
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One of Fair Trade’s six principles is environmental sustainability. Companies that fail to uphold this principle in their supply chain will not be admitted into the Fair Trade Federation and are refused certification by TransFair USA
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During the production process of Fair Trade products harmful agrochemicals and fertilizers are often now allowed to be used, sold, handled or distributed by producer organizations. When they are used, they are done so in minimal quantities with strict regulations and guidelines on their usage.
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Many Fair Trade products are made by hand, often in producers’ homes or villages. Choosing hand production over mechanized production significantly reduces CO² emissions that are often omitted from big factories. Since Fair Trade producers are often based in remote rural areas, where resources and infrastructure are scarce, they are provided with income earning opportunities that they otherwise would not have had. What little energy is needed in the production process is often produced through alternative energy sources.
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Fair Trade products are often made from materials that are locally and abundantly available.
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The majority of Fair Trade products are transported to consumer countries by boat. This significantly reduces CO² omissions created by air travel.
Check out the following links to learn more about how Fair Trade helps the environment
Ecology and Fair Trade
http://www.wftday.org/
This international World Fair Trade Day site explores a number of Fair Trade artisan products and profiles how each is produced in environmentally sustainable ways.
Growing methods of Fair Trade Flowers
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2008/02/ecuador_a_rosie.html
This short documentary profiles the farming practices of Fair Trade Certified flowers in Ecuador
Fair Trade Banana’s - the all round benefits.
http://www.asoguabo.com.ec/english/social.htm
This website profiles banana cooperatives in El Guabo. It looks how Fair Trade has positively benefited social, environmental and community aspects of this community.
Conacado Chocolate Co-operative- commitment to the environment
http://www.transfairusa.org/pdfs/profiles/Conacado-DR.PDF
This article explores how the Canacado Cooperative in the Dominican Republic is committed to environmental protection with all of its growing practices.
Will Coffee be a Casualty of Climate Change?
http://www.alternet.org/environment/74602/
Interesting article on how our consumer choice may affect the rate of climate change.
Making Global Trade Greener
http://www.sierraclub.org/trade/
Check out Sierra Club’s page on campaigning for trade that is clean, green and fair, where peoples’ lives and livelihood’s are protected.
‘The Stories’
FTRN has compiled a number of ‘stories’ from various Fair Trade organizations and companies that showcase how Fair Trade supports the environment and changes people’s lives. Each story will provide a unique example of how Fair Trade is benefiting both the producers and the environment around them.
Equal Echange Coffee: Building a Healthier, Greener Food System
 Check out Equal Exchanges article on how their partners and small scale farmers work to protect the environment through sustainable and organic agriculture. Read more.
Fair Trade Federation Member Stories
 Read these three short excerpts on what individual producer groups are doing for the environment around them. Read more.
Ten Thousand Villages
Read about the innovative ways that Haitian producers are recycling scrap metals to create artworks for Ten Thousand Villages. Read more.
A Greater Gift
 Learn how the local Yurac-Muyo artisans use resources found around their village to make beautiful handmade necklaces. Read more.
Catholic Relief Services
 Discover how CRS is using recycled denim school bags made by Malagasy Artisans to teach students within the United States about the importance of reusing materials and as a learning tool about the country of Madagascar. Read more.
HandCrafting Justice
 Read how recycled juice and potato chip wrappers, scraps of sari silk and raw natural materials are used to make unique products sold by HandCrafting Justice. Read more.
Lucuma Designs
Learn how recycled lycra and organic cotton is made into amazing Arpillera artworks and fun finger puppets. Read more.
Maggies Organics
 Discover how Maggies Organics made the conscientious decision to switch to organic cotton when producing its socks. Read more.
Canaan Fair Trade
 Read how sustainble farming practices are used in the production of olive oil. In addition read how you can visit a Palestinian olive farm yourself. Read more.
Alter Eco
Learn how farmers are returning to traditional methods of growing rice that now ensures greater quality and respect for the environment. Read more.
G lobal Goods Partners
Discover how products made by the artisan group Friends-International are hand crafted from local, recyclable materials that can be easily sourced by the producers. Read more.
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