Fairtrade International

🎄🌸 Fairtrade Poinsettias: More Than Just Holiday Blooms! 🌸🎄 Did you know your holiday decorations can make a world of difference? ✨ Uganda-based flower farm Wagagai is leading the way for a brighter future, using Fairtrade poinsettias to support living wages for farm workers. Since 2017, Wagagai ltd has teamed up with German breeding company Selecta one, which took a bold step to increase the Fairtrade Premium payment to 5 eurocents per poinsettia cutting. 🙌 Here’s how it helps: 🌺 0.5 eurocent goes to community projects like education and healthcare. 🌺 4.5 eurocents directly support the Fairtrade Cents Bonus Fund, which provides crucial financial relief to the lowest-wage workers. Now here are some interesting facts: -      📈 In 2023 alone, 1.6 million Fairtrade poinsettia cuttings were sold, raising €73,173 for the bonus fund. -      This meant a nearly extra month’s salary for 1,551 workers in the lowest wage categories—a huge boost for their families! Support flowers that give back this holiday season. 🌼💛 Discover how Fairtrade poinsettias are supporting sustainable livelihoods. Thanks Floraldaily for this story: https://lnkd.in/eMxc64Yp #FairtradeFlowers #LivingWage #Poinsettias #thefutureisfair

🌍🌡️ Join us at an upcoming COP29 side event “Just transition pathways to achieve Paris Agreement goals in the agri-food sector”. ⏲️ When? 20 November 2024, 16:45-18:15 AZT 📍 Where? Side event room #8 💡 What’s it about? The agri-food sector plays a crucial role in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. As nations work towards updating their Nationally Determined Contributions and implementing National Adaptation Plans, it is vital to ensure that transitions within this sector are just, inclusive, and sustainable. This side event convenes governments, negotiators, farmers, researchers, and development partners to showcase and explore practical options for robust just transition pathways necessary for long-term low-emission development in agri-food systems. 🎤 Who’s speaking? Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR Dr. Aditi Mukherji, Director, CGIAR Climate Impact Platform Peter Schmidt, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee Monika Froehler, CEO, Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström, Director PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Juan Pablo Solís Víquez, Senior Advisor Climate and Environment, Fairtrade International Ifeoluwa Olatayo, BKMC Youth AgriChampion and Founder of Soupah Farm-en-Market Limited Melissa Pinfield, Executive Director, Just Rural Transition Secretariat Meridian Institute The event will also be streamed live by UN Climate Change for registered UNFCCC participants: https://lnkd.in/eVJGrVTn

Following today’s vote we are gravely disappointed with the European Parliament's (EP) decision to not support the substantive rules laid down in the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and instead open up the regulation for further discussion and change. We expected the EP to honour the commitment made to the legislation in 2023 but instead they have taken a step backward in the fight against forest protection and climate change. We fear that by opening up the EUDR many crucial initiatives to reduce deforestation will be diminished, farmers and responsible businesses will be harmed by the uncertainty, and the EU will lose momentum and leadership on this issue.  Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/eYFMSwhF

Fairtrade International together with Ferrero, Mars Wrigley, Tony's Chocolonely, Unilever, Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO), Rainforest Alliance, Solidaridad Network and VOICE Network strongly oppose the amendments tabled to the European Commission's proposal to delay the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). We call on Members of the European Parliament to vote against them and to adopt the Commission’s proposal without further amendment. Changing the content of the EUDR after the several years of preparations our companies have made would serve only to impede the smooth passage of the proposal, increase uncertainty and jeopardise the significant investments companies have made in preparing for its application. The amendments, by substantially reducing the impact of the legislation and creating several exceptions, would result in undue discrimination against those companies that have invested in sustainable supply chains. In addition, adopting the amendments would also risk the prospect of a new trilogue process, generating uncertainty and the risk of the Commission’s proposal not being adopted by the end of this year.

🌏🌡️ The COP Climate Conference has started and yes, we’re posting the exact same video as a year ago. Do we wish we didn’t have to do it again? Yes! But is the climate crisis solved? Unfortunately not – and the clock is ticking louder than ever. Our representation at #COP29 is limited and Fairtrade producers have decided not to attend at all, as their hopes to make a meaningful contribution under this year’s setup were not very high. Still, we will never not raise our voices for climate justice. What do we want policy makers to consider? 👩🌾👨🌾 Climate programmes must be shaped by farmers and workers to meet the needs of farming communities. 💰 Mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage must all be funded sufficiently and the gap in adaptation funding must urgently be closed from additional funds. 🔐 Climate finance must be accessible to small-scale farmers through clear and inclusive awarding criteria and unbureaucratic procedures. 📝 Supply chain laws must protect human rights and the environment and must be accompanied by measures to support farmers in achieving compliance. 🌿 Climate finance must support farmers in transitioning towards agroecological practices to secure the world's food supply. 🤝 Businesses must transition to fair purchasing practices, paying prices that enable sustainable production and livelihoods, and funding climate action beyond carbon offsetting. #TheClockIsTicking #ClimateJustice #futureisfair

The EU Deforestation Regulation must not be diluted in any way. That’s why Fairtrade is calling on the European Parliament to honour the commitment made to the EU Deforestation Regulation in 2023, and reject the legislative amendment proposals made by the European People’s Party (EPP) group that contradict the urgent need to protect forests and mitigate climate change inside and outside the EU.     If approved at the plenary session this week, the EPP’s proposal would deregulate a key environmental legislation of the European Green Deal, and we cannot let that happen, preventing forest degradation must remain a priority. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/euaqvv7S

🌍 New study highlights climate change adaptation as vital for Fairtrade farmers 🌱 As the effects of climate change intensify, Fairtrade producer organisations are increasingly adopting climate adaptation plans to protect and sustain their crops. A recent Fairtrade study found that more than 500 producer organisations—representing coffee, cocoa, tea, banana, and sugar producers—have developed such plans to combat rising temperatures, pests, droughts, and water scarcity. 📊 The report revealed that 96% of these plans have been fully or partially implemented. Common strategies include planting disease-resistant crop varieties, improving soil health, efficient water management, and integrated pest control—all shown to increase resilience and yields. 🔑 Some of the key enablers of success include: - Training on adaptation techniques - Raising awareness of climate risks - Access to technical and financial support 🌱 Producers report improved soil health, reduced chemical use, higher yields, and stronger crop resilience, thanks to these efforts. However, the study suggests the need for ongoing training, better data collection, and future climate scenario planning to support long-term sustainability. Together, we can build a future where Fairtrade farmers thrive, even in a changing climate. Read the full study to learn more about Fairtrade's climate resilience efforts https://lnkd.in/esXsgy9w #Fairtrade #ClimateAdaptation #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateResilience #FairtradeFarmers #futureisfair

🌍 Last month, the Fairtrade team gathered in Mauritius for the Fairtrade Global Sugar Advisory Summit — an event that united key global players in the sugar industry to map out the future of Fairtrade sugar and tackle critical challenges. 🌱 Producers from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Eswatini, Fiji, India, Malawi, and Mauritius engaged directly with industry experts to discuss the impacts of two core Fairtrade programs focused on human rights and climate resilience — underscoring these as the most pressing risks facing the sugar cane sector. 🚀 The summit opened with an inspiring address by Hon. Ms. Naveena Ramyad, Mauritius’ Minister of Industrial Development, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Fairtrade, small and medium-sized enterprises, and cooperatives, all emphasising the need to produce high-quality products that drive both sales and sustainability. 👥 Devesh Dukhira, CEO of the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate, highlighted the advantage of Fairtrade: greater yields and productivity among certified producers, which sets Fairtrade sugar apart as a high-value offering for customers worldwide. 💬 This summit provided a unique platform for producers, exporters, importers, and industry stakeholders to come together, exchange insights, and collaboratively pave the way forward. With strengthened relationships and a clear strategic roadmap, the future of Fairtrade sugar looks more promising than ever. This roadmap, integrated into the global Fairtrade strategy for 2030, aims to drive resilience, sustainability, and innovation across the industry. 🔑 The takeaway was clear: collaboration is essential to shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for Fairtrade sugar. We look forward to seeing the industry embrace this shared vision and continue building a fairer future for all. #futureisfair

What role does trade play in protecting biodiversity? 🌎 We're excited about the first-ever trade day at the UN Biodiversity Conference #COP16 today - a big step in acknowledging how our planet's environment, farming, and global trade are all connected. 🌿 Biodiversity stabilises ecosystem for agricultural production. In other words: No biodiversity means no farming, no trade, no food. 👩🌾👨🌾 We want to preserve biodiversity through agroecology - a holistic approach that applies ecological and social principles to farming and strengthens the checks and balances in ecosystems. Many Fairtrade producers have adopted agroecology practices. ⚖️And here’s where trade comes in: Agroecology aims to make entire food systems sustainable. For this to work, producers must be able to sell on fair terms and receive prices that enable sustainable livelihoods. 👨⚖️ What can policy makers do? Ensure that: - Protecting biodiversity pays off and destroying it has a price, - large companies are required to report on biodiversity impacts, - producers and businesses share the cost and burden of implementing policies. 🤝For Fairtrade it's simple: Trading to solely maximise profits is the problem, trading in a way that respects people and planet is part of the solution. Read more: http://fairtr.de/ld2

Today, at the International Fairtrade Textiles Forum in Paris, we’re excited to release a new study on the sustainability advantages of Fairtrade and organic cotton from India. India is the second largest producer of cotton in the world, but it’s the largest Fairtrade cotton producer, with 27,000 farmers producing around 32,000 tonnes of Fairtrade cotton per year. From research with 850 farmers across six Indian states, here are some key findings: 🔹 45% lower greenhouse gas emissions from Fairtrade organic cotton vs. non-Fairtrade cotton grown with either organic or conventional methods. 🔹  96% of Fairtrade organic farmers and those converting to organic avoid chemical pesticide use altogether, as compared with 60% of non-Fairtrade conventional farmers. 🔹 20% more cotton per drop: Fairtrade organic farmers are using water more efficiently and 14% less overall. 🔹 Higher yields & prices: Fairtrade organic farmers are seeing 13% higher yields and earning 4.8% more than non-certified counterparts. 🔹 Only 5% of Fairtrade organic and in-conversion farmers use synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers, compared to more than 9/10 conventional farmers. These results highlight the power of Fairtrade to create greener, more sustainable fashion while boosting the livelihoods of farmers. 🌱👚 Curious to know more? Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/evP4zTkS #Sustainability #Fairtrade #OrganicCotton #futureisfair