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.
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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.
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Sustainable Brands Staff
Published Oct 8, 2021 2pm EDT / 11am PDT / 7pm BST / 8pm CEST