Fairtrade takes climate focus
by Mehak Dugal
 

Fairtrade fortnight, which ran from 22nd February to 7th March 2021, focused its attention on climate change this year to highlight the growing challenges that climate change brings to farmers and workers in the communities Fairtrade works with.

 

The annual campaign, which runs for two weeks each year, raises awareness on alternative approaches to conventional trade. It’s based on a partnership between some of the most disadvantaged farmers and workers in the developing world and the people who buy their products.

 

Fair trade terms give farmers and workers a better deal, and an opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. It offers people a powerful way to reduce poverty through their everyday shopping.

 

Building on research by Oliver Moore, the campaign says the majority of greenhouse gas emissions have occurred in the last 30 years, and over 90% of emissions have come from the places like Europe and the US.

 

The campaign says those who have contributed the least to the carbon crisis should not have to pay the highest price to try and resolve it.

 

Yet, vulnerable rural populations in the global south are currently paying the highest price, as climate impacts are being seen in more frequent chaotic climate events like hurricanes, droughts and floods which add on to pre-existing vulnerabilities like poverty, exclusion and exploitation. 

 

Ireland’s leading climate change expert Professor John Sweeney said Ireland emits more greenhouse gases than the poorest 400 million people on the planet.

 

“Almost uniquely in the EU, Ireland is failing to meet its obligations and is increasing its greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

 

Fairtrade Ireland works to promote fair trading practices between Ireland and developing countries. It is a founding member of Fairtrade International, based in Germany, the organisation responsible for setting international fair trade standards.

 

Check out Irish partners and shop HERE. 

 

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