WFTO - Sustainable Fair Trade: Tackling poverty and the environment

Sustainable Fair Trade: Tackling poverty and the environment

23 April 2010

World Earth Day is a global event to mark the importance of the planet we live in and the way we use it. Global warming, over-population and depletion of resources are leading it to crisis point, and consumerism is leading the way. Poverty, greed and unjust trading relationships are key to this.

As such it is fitting that the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is marking this event for the first time. WFTO, which has 400 member organizations and individuals, is spread across 71 countries, ranging from artisans and farmers in producer countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, to exporters, distributors and retailers in Europe, North America and the developed world.

In conventional trade, wealthy organizations in countries like the UK and the

USA

are able to take advantage of their buying power to obtain cheaper and cheaper prices. Usually this means poor wages, sometimes it involves child labour - and more often than not it leads to a pattern of consumption which cannot last, because our Earth does not have enough resources to make it last.

A principle of Fair Trade is that it should not just meet day-to-day needs, but should enable improved conditions in the future, so all involved can plan for themselves and their children. The safeguarding of natural resources is vital for long-term trading relationships, which are a key objective in Fair Trade partnerships.

Sustainability: our praxis
An excellent example of sustainability is WFTO member Salay Handmade Paper in the

Philippines

, which produces designs from flowers which regenerate themselves constantly, and paper from weeds, pineapple leaves and other agricultural waste. Other WFTO members are especially concerned about the sustainability of trees, and avoid hardwoods. Mitra Bali in Indonesia uses Albesia, a tree which grows in 7 years, others use bamboo and other fast-growing plants such as the producer groups of Craft Link

Vietnam

and Gospel House Sri Lanka.

In the developed countries, WFTO member Shared Earth UK retails products which go beyond the expected materials for recycling, paper, tin and glass, and includes frames from loom waste and old saris, bags made from rice and cement sacks, off-cuts from soapstone, vases made from broken bangles, accessories and clocks made from bicycle chains, and paper made from elephant dung. People Tree pioneers sustainable Fair Trade fashion by working directly with garment producer groups to ensure that their fashion supply chain is economically and ecologically sustainable. Pachacuti is another example of a sustainable venture that works with Andean women by providing them livelihood opportunities and trainings. People Tree and Pachacuti revolutionized the fashion industry through Fair Trade. Today, both fashion outlets have good following and positive reviews of their products in Europe and the US.

Fair Trade works not only to create economic opportunities for the disadvantaged producers but also uses these economic endeavours to improve the environment, the very source of life and livelihood of humanity. Apikri Indonesia, for example, is working closely with communities in restoring forest biodiversity and managing forest program by training the villagers to be effective forest stewards.

Our call
WFTO reiterates its stand on the pressing issue of climate change and calls on world leaders to adopt six key sustainable solutions to address climate and environmental issues: trade and climate justice, progressive climate adjustment, pro-poor financing, rural development, sustainable livelihoods for all, and meaningful targets in rich countries. Read the full text of WFTO’s statement on COP15 here.

Where is the Earth going on World Earth Day? WFTO believes that bringing the issues of trade and environment together is vital to the well-being of both, and will be doing all it can to promote even more awareness amongst its members.

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