Marketing & Communications Organizational Governance

1.8M Fairtrade Farmers to World Leaders:
'Keep Your Climate Promises'

Signed by Fairtrade producers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the letter warns governments of developed nations that their lack of climate action is threatening farmers' livelihoods and global food supplies.

Published 3 years ago | About a 2 minute read

Image: Fairtrade Netherlands and Fairtrade

An open letter sent on behalf of 1.8 million Fairtrade producers worldwide, ahead of COP26 next month, urges world leaders to keep their promise to provide $100 billion in annual finance to low-income nations disproportionately hit by the climate crisis.

The letter criticizes the rich nations most responsible for climate change for not honoring their pledges to cut their emissions and adequately support farmers suffering the worst effects of climate breakdown.

Climate change is an immediate threat to the livelihoods of Fairtrade farmers and workers across the world, and to the globally beloved products that they supply — including coffee, cocoa and bananas. In an open letter to world leaders, 1.8 million Fairtrade farmers and workers — including the Kenyan coffee farmers pictured above — are calling for action. Consumers worldwide are invited to raise the voices of farmers by signing a petition of support, leading up to COP26.

Signed by representatives of Fairtrade producer networks in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the letter warns governments of developed nations that their lack of action on climate change is threatening farmers' livelihoods and global food supplies.

80 percent of the world's food comes from 500 million family farms. While a growing number of brands are working more closely with farmers to ensure a living wage and cultivate climate-resilient agriculture practices, and retail giants including Amazon are highlighting Fairtrade-certified products as part of its Climate Pledge Friendly program, public-sector movement to protect these farmers remains painfully slow. Farmers in climate-vulnerable countries are already using their expertise to deliver climate solutions, but it is not enough: Financial support is critical, they say.

Titled “Be fair with your climate promise,” the letter says:

"We grow the food eaten by people all around the world... But our ability to do so has been badly damaged by the reckless harm done to our environment from years of broken promises concerning the climate crisis.

"You promised to cut the emissions that drive extreme weather, which dry up our fields one day and flood them the next. But emissions are increasing dangerously, while your ambition remains too low. You promised to provide climate finance, to help us keep growing food despite the changing weather. But next to nothing is reaching us."

The letter also urges governments to strengthen business rules on environmental protection and to promote fair, low-carbon trade deals.

A delegation of Fairtrade farmers will attend the COP26 summit in Glasgow next month to deliver the letter in person.

Fairtrade's “Be Fair with Your Climate Promise” campaign is a critical call for action at a time when systemic change in trade is not happening quickly enough. Ethical shoppers can support the farmers' call for action by signing the petition here.