Sustainable Trade
What is Sustainable Trade?
“Sustainable trade takes place when the international exchange of goods and services yields positive social, economic and environmental benefits, reflecting the four core criteria of sustainable development:
- it generates economic value...
- it reduces poverty and inequality...
- it regenerates the environmental resource base, and…
- it is carried out within an open and accountable system of governance.”
The International Institute for Environment Development advances policy recommendations on international trade and investment, economic policy, climate change, measurement and indicators, and natural resource management to advance sustainable development. Among their priorities is the promotion of government taxation and trade policies that encourage the transition to sustainable development. For more information visit the International Institute for Environment Development website.
Campaigns Promoting Fair Trade
The Fair Trade Federation
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. For more information visit the Fair Trade Federation website.
FTF directly links low-income producers with consumer markets and educates consumers about the importance of purchasing fairly traded products which support living wages and safe and healthy conditions for workers in the developing world.
FTF also acts as a clearinghouse for information on fair trade and provides resources and networking opportunities for its members. By adhering to social criteria and environmental principles, Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs) foster a more equitable and sustainable system of production and trade that benefits people and their communities.
Fair Trade Coffee Campaign
The Fair Trade coffee campaign works to implement guaranteed and independently monitored workers rights. The campaign also promotes certified organic and shade grown coffee where applicable. For more information visit the Global Exchange website and the Transfair USA website.
Ethical Trading Initiative
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is an alliance of companies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and trade union organisations committed to working together to identify and promote ethical trade — good practice in the implementation of a code of conduct for good labor standards, including the monitoring and independent verification of the observance of ethics code provisions, as standards for ethical trading. Please visit the Ethical Trading Initiative website for information.
International Federation for Alternative Trade
The International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT), a global network of over 160 fair trade organizations in more than 50 countries, works to improve the livelihoods and well-being of disadvantaged people in developing countries and to change the unfair structures of international trade. Please visit the International Federation for Alternative Trade website for more information.
Oxfam
Oxfam has an international campaign to promote just trade in their fight against poverty. Visit the Oxfam website.
