Fairtrade works for a better climate and environment
Our climate and nature are in crisis. Millions of farmers, workers, their families and communities already live with the impacts of climate change, extreme weather and biodiversity loss. Fairtrade works to address this.
A sustainable environment should be the norm. However, the severity, frequency, and intensity of meteorological events have been rising and affecting livelihoods worldwide.
Agricultural communities, whose livelihoods depend on farming, stand to lose income. Higher temperatures, drought, floods, storms, crop diseases, soil depletion and deforestation threaten future food security worldwide.
As more and more land becomes unusable due to extreme climate events, changing weather patterns and ever-scarcer water resources, both the quality and quantity of crop yields are threatened.
A healthy, sustainable environment is crucial for the more than 500 million small-scale farming families who depend on agriculture activities for their livelihoods. Yet all too often, unfair supply chains not only keep the very farmers and communities on whom we rely for our food in grinding poverty, but they also hinder effective action to tackle the climate and nature crises. Climate justice and trade justice are inextricably linked.
Fairtrade farmers and workers - especially women and next-generation producers - are driving the transition to more sustainable food production. Without them, it’s unlikely the climate and nature crisis will be solved.
How Fairtrade address climate change environmental challenges
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Strong Standards
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Expert farmers and workers
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Fair prices
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An approach rooted in agroecology
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Advocacy
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Carbon credits
Agroecology
Agroecology and sustainable agriculture prioritises eco-friendly farming practices, promoting environmental health, social fairness and economic viability. Fairtrade is actively promoting the agroecological approach to enhance the sustainability of farming practices. These approaches include crop rotation, organic farming, and natural pest control to reduce reliance on synthetic inputs and enhance biodiversity. Their goal is to build resilient and regenerative food systems.
“There is a chain on earth that starts where the producers are. They are the ones who suffer the consequences of climate change, the ones who get the least help, and carry all of the burden. It’s not fair.”
Bayardo Betanco, Fairtrade coffee farmer and member of the Prodecoop co-op, Nicaragua.
Become part of a sustainable supply chain
Climate change is one of the most significant challenges we face. Fairtrade helps farmers adapt, mitigate and become more resilient and supports businesses and consumers to be part of a more sustainable supply chain.
Be a part of it!
RESOURCES
Fairtrade’s work on agroecology: Fairtrade sustainable agriculture policy (2023) including External At a glance document; Baseline Report and Executive Summary.
Fairtrade, Fair Trade Advocacy Office and World Fair Trade Organization joint advocacy position for COP28
All about Fairtrade Carbon Credits
Fairtrade Carbon Credits brochure
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Fair Climate Fund – investing in climate projects in developing countries to produce carbon offsets.
The Gold Standard Foundation – our partner in the Fairtrade Climate Standard and Fairtrade Carbon Credits.