Fairtrade Fortnight: Monday 21st February to Sunday 6th March 2022
This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight is an opportunity to stand with farmers in low-income countries affected by the climate crisis; a show of solidarity with communities on the frontline. Together we can help farmers benefit from fairer prices and fairer trading practices and obtain the resources they need to tackle the climate emergency.
The climate crisis is the biggest threat to the livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers and agricultural workers in low-income countries. Without a fairer income they are unable to invest in the mitigation and adaptation techniques needed to protect the environment and their businesses.
Thousands of Fairtrade communities play a key role in raising awareness of the link between trade and poverty. Fairtrade fights the climate crisis by encouraging producers to protect the environment through improving soil, planting trees, conserving water, and avoiding pesticides, while Fairtrade’s climate academies help farmers share best practices and learn the latest agricultural methods to adapt to conditions.
Engage with Fairtrade Fortnight to protect people and planet, and buy Fairtrade products to make trade fairer for those in lower-income countries.
Being a farmer shouldn’t be a route to poverty, and the Fairtrade Premium is vital to give farmers the tools to be fairly paid. For example, without it cocoa farmers only earn 3% of the price of a chocolate bar.
“I hope everyone can join us this Fairtrade Fortnight and come to an event or purchase even one Fairtrade product to help support our farmers and act for climate justice.”
Rachel Farey, Vice-Chair at Scottish Trade Forum
Get involved
There are many ways that you can help support and promote fair trade:
- Volunteer, Edinburgh Fairtrade city is looking for events volunteers to join their team
- Join in an event, many are online, check out the Edinburgh Fairtrade City’s facebook page
- Buy fair trade products; there are over 38 suppliers of Fairtrade Mark, fairly traded products across Scotland, many with online shops; see the listing on Scottish Fairtrade Forum
- Buy, sell or trade as a fair trade business, see here for support
- Be a fair trade school, visit the Fairtrade Schools website and see how you could join the twelve Edinburgh schools that have gained fair trade status.
Join the network
Edinburgh has held Fairtrade City status since 2004 and Edinburgh Fairtrade steering group meet regularly to find ways to promote fair trade in the city. It welcomes anyone with an interest in fair trade to join the Edinburgh Fairtrade City network. Contact Russell Salton on russell.salton@outlook.com or 0751 699 7000