Fairtrade and Climate Change

Today marks the start of Faitrade Fortnight. Many of us are now buying food in season from local producers and this is seen as a positive way of reducing the impact on the climate, but where does this leave us when we try to reduce our food miles? I’ve been buying fairtrade tea and coffee for over 10 years and have welcomed the growing availability of a wider range of products carrying the Fairtrade Mark.

I did a bit of research to try to find out if buying Fairtrade can help tackle climate change. I discovered that transportation is still only a small part of the carbon footprint of a product, growing and production as well as packaging all contribute in significant ways. I discovered that Fairtrade is helping to reduce the environmental impact of farming practices in countries across the globe and supporting sustainable farming practices in the UK too.

Current research from the Fairtrade Foundation indicates that fresh flowers are the only Fairtrade product routinely transported by air. According to the Fairtrade Foundation Report “Fairtrade, Climate Change and Sustainable Production”, which you can find here http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2008/q/q.pdf

“Buying products from developing countries is vital for their economic and social development. It provides a livelihood for millions of workers and farmers. With premiums from Fairtrade, farmers can implement environmental protection programmes that will benefit all of us”.

In India, tea farmers have invested part of the fairtrade premium in a solar panelled heating system for the local health centre. On another estate, tea workers have created a communal composting heap which all the families help to maintain. The compost is sold back to the estate as organic fertiliser for the tea bushes.

I’m convinced that buying food with the Fairtrade mark promotes sustainable food production . By purchasing Fairtrade products, shoppers in the UK are ensuring that disadvantaged producers and workers receive a Fairtrade premium for investment in economic, social and environmental products. These premiums can enable farmers to implement a range of environmental protection programmes which will contribute to the range of solutions needed to address climate change and ultimately benefit all of us.

So, if you’re not already buying Fairtrade take advantage of the special offers and tasting events taking place over the next 2 weeks and do your bit for the environment. Even my daughter’s cookery teacher has asked that every child include at least one Fairtrade ingredient in this week’s cookery lesson. We found Fairtrade sugar and jam in our local Co-op. Well done Helsby High School for raising awareness in such a practical way.