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.
How Fairtrade address climate change environmental challenges
Strong Standards: Fairtrade standards are designed to improve soil and water quality, avoid harmful chemicals, eliminate deforestation, manage waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect biodiversity.
Expert farmers and workers: We work with farmers and workers to build their skills and knowledge through technical support, training and information to adapt to environmental risks such as climate change and improved data collection skills to better report on environmental due diligence.
Fair prices: It would be impossible for farmers to focus on climate resilience if they still struggle to earn a living income. The Fairtrade Minimum acts as a safety net when market prices drop low.
An approach rooted in agroecology: Fairtrade supports and incentivises agroecology principles to transition toward more resilient farming practices and implement climate change adaptation plans.
Advocacy: We campaign for climate and trade justice in supply chains, working with international bodies, national governments, traders and retailers to tackle the negative impact of trade practices on the environment and to be accountable for their climate commitments and environmental due diligence.
Carbon credits: Fairtrade Carbon Credits enable farmers and workers worldwide to access carbon finance.
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
Deforestation
Deforestation is a driver of climate change and contributes to loss of biodiversity. The Fairtrade Standards have built in forest protection requirements – ones that meet or go beyond what is required in European Union regulations. Even more than that, Fairtrade offers support and financial benefits to producers – and works to tackle root causes of deforestation such as poverty – so they can play their part to farm sustainably and conserve forests. Click here for more information.
Agroecology
Agroecology and sustainable agriculture prioritise 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.
View our sustainable agricultre policy
“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 External At a glance (2023); Baseline report (2023); Executive summary (2023)
Fairtrade, Fair Trade Advocacy Office and World Fair Trade Organization joint advocacy position for COP28
All about Fairtrade Carbon Credits
Fairtrade Carbon Credits brochure
Fairtrade Partnership with Satelligence
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.