Fairtrade and Bristol’s Big Green Week

Fairtrade has become part of Bristol's Big Green Week, demonstrating how buying Fairtrade products makes sense environmentally, as well as being fair and just.

Bristol is one of the UK’s leading cities for sustainable development and Bristol’s Big Green Week taps into the city’s rich resource of green expertise and practical experience.

Fairtrade helps to tackle climate change in many ways because to gain Fairtrade certification all producers have to meet the international Fairtrade standard. This means farmers must protect the natural environment (for example not cut down forests), minimise the use of energy, water and pesticides, and implement health and safety measures for all workers.

The world-class festival of sustainability, hosted by the city of Bristol, has brought together leading global experts and thinkers to share ideas and inspiration on developing a green future.

Fairtrade is helping to advance this future by giving workers a Fairtrade premium for investment in economic, social and environmental projects, as well as a fair price that covers cost of production and basic living costs. Coffee famers in Costa Rica have used the premium to replant trees to prevent soil erosion, move to organic farming, and to invest in environmentally friendly ovens, fuelled by recycled coffee hulls and nut shells, so they no longer cut rainforest trees.

Climate change is having the most impact in the poorest countries, even though they are least responsible for carbon emissions. Fairtrade is working with farmers in these countries to enable them to deal with the impact of climate change, by providing training on irrgation methods, diversification to less water-dependant crops and produce they can sell locally, so they are less dependent on global trade.

As nearly all Fairtrade products are shipped to the UK, their carbon footprint is very low. Fairtrade supports and enables the continuation of small-scale farming which is sustainable and low carbon by its very nature.

So, with the city of Bristol dedicating itself to a green future there’s never been a better time to Take a Step for Fairtrade – buying more Fairtrade products at home, using Fairtrade at work and introducing Fairtrade into your community group. 

Winners of the first ever Fairtrade Business Awards

The winners of the first ever Fairtrade Business Awards were announced at a ceremony in Bristol last week. The Awards, sponsored by the Co-operative, were held at Leigh Court, the home of Business West, and presented by the BBC’s George Alagiah. Leader of Bristol City Council Barbara Janke, opened the awards ceremony by saying that the council was committed to the Fairtrade principle.

The Overall Winner of Best Fairtrade Business 2012, sponsored by Lyons Davidson, was Bishopston Trading Company. The Bishopston Trading Company sells clothes, linen, fabrics and much more, all made from fairtrade certified cotton. Bishopston is a fair trade company whose sole aim is to provide employment for the people of K.V.Kuppam. Bishopston provides the design and marketing skills, and the capital investment in the form of forward payments, and K.V.Kuppam provide the weaving and tailoring skills. Carolyn Whitwell, founder and MD of the company collected the Award and told the large audience that she was delighted and proud to gain such recognition.

The Best Fairtrade Office, sponsored by Burges Salmon, Essential Trading Co-operative Ltd. A leading European organic and Fairtrade product wholesaler. Lush Handmade Cosmetics has been named Best Fairtrade Retailer, sponsored by TLT LLC. Lush has been keeping Bristol smelling lovely and keeping us all committed to many different ethical and eco campaigns. 

UWE Catering Cart nabbed the title of the Best Fairtrade Catering Outlet. By using fairtrade and organic ingredients the UWE Catering Cart nourishes the body and the soul! And, the Best Fairtrade Accomodation went to the Greenhouse B&B.The Greenhouse, in Southville, chooses only organic, fairtrade and local foods, and uses organic towels, sumptuous natural bedding and toiletries that are kind to both you and the planet.

The Awards, which were uniquely designed and made by Bristol Blue Glass, were organised by Bristol Fairtrade Network in association with Business West, Destination Bristol and Bristol City Council, to promote fair and ethical business in the city.

Don't worry if you missed out! There's always next year....

For more details please go to: http://www.bristolfairtrade.org.uk

International Women's Day Celebration 2012

International Women's Day is on it's way and everyone is heading down to Halo Cafe Bar on Gloucester Road to celebrate. On Thursday 8th March from 7pm come and enjoy an informal evening of food and top speakers, with live music from Ujima Radio and Vanessa Melody.

At only £7.50/£5 concessions, this event is a bargain, and all profits go to Sandra Rojas' work with rural women producers and the Pastoral Women's Council projects with the Maasai in Tanzania.

There are so many reasons to be excited about this event! There will be a wide range of speakers including Sandra Rojas, a womens community activist and Fairtrade sesame producer from Nicaragua.

Rosie Martin, Chief Executive of African Initiatives will be discussing 'Women's Rights and the Millenium Development Goals'. Focussing on Women's projects in Mozambique and Zimbabwe will be Peninah Achieng, Chair of Bristol Link with Beira.

If you need more persuasion the delicious buffet (included in the ticket price) will be provided by Halo Bar Cafe and include vegetarian and vegan options. Both women and men are welcome.

Each year around the world, International Women's Day is celebrated on the 8th March. Thousands of events occur throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

This event is hosted by the Bristol Fairtrade Network, Bristol Link with Nicaragua and African Initiatives and generously sponsored by the Bristol Food Network.

To buy tickets go to http://iwdbristol.eventbrite.co.uk/

Bristol Fairtrade Business Awards

The entries are in for the first ever Fairtrade Business Awards; come and meet the winners at the Awards ceremony on Friday 9th March 12-2pm at Leigh Court. To book a place at the Fairtrade lunch, meet George Alagiah and network with other fair and ethical businesses, go to http://tiny.cc/l9mkm

There are multiple reasons to become a Fairtrade business. Consumer awareness has increased dramatically in recent years, from the sourcing of food to the condition of workers in developing countries. Businesses are now in the spotlight as consumers want to know that producers are not being exploited. Ethical consumption is currently growing at a rate nearly eight times faster than the economy as a whole.

Fairtrade sales have doubled year on year since 2003, and recognition of the Fairtrade Mark is higher than any other consumer mark at 70%. Offering Fairtrade products to your staff and customers is a great way to demonstrate that you are a caring business because it is has high recognition and consumer confidence.

Corporate behaviour is under intense scrutiny, with corporate policies now clearly posted on the internet. This makes it more important than ever for businesses to communicate their ethical policies effectively to their potential customers, and integrating Fairtrade into their CSR programmes by switching to Fairtrade purchasing is a highly effective way of doing this.

The winners of Fairtrade Business Awards will win recognition and distinction. Every business that meets the criteria for Bronze, Silver or Gold Award will receive a Fairtrade Business certificate, as well as an e-logo to use for their business, and the opportunity to progress to the next level.

The categories are:
1) Best Fairtrade Office
2) Best Fairtrade Retailer
3) Best Fairtrade Catering Outlet
4) Best Fairtrade Accommodation
5) There will also be an award, at the discretion of the judges, for the best overall Fairtrade business.

Bristol- A Fairtrade City

With Fairtrade Fortnight around the corner, 27th February- 11th March 2012, the Bristol Fairtrade Network is asking everyone to take one step for Fairtrade. However, before we move forward lets take a step back and remind ourselves why Bristol is such a great Fairtrade city....

Bristol is currently one of the leading Fairtrade cities in the world. We have been trading fairly with nearly five million workers in 58 million developing countries and are even looking to do more.

Last year, Bristol won an Outstanding Achievement award for the exciting and innovative range of events taking place around the city during Fairtrade Fortnight. The popularity of the Fairwear Fashion show and Cotton On, the Fairtrade Purchasing Guide, means that such ideas are being replicated by other Fairtrade groups around the world.

Bristol has gained praise for their efforts from far and wide, notably Harriet Lamb, the Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, congratulated Bristol on getting the award. 'They throughly deserve this award as they are a wonderful example of how people coming together to show their support for trade justice can make a real difference in the communities where they live'.

Bristol is consistently voted one of the best places to live, and the Bristol Fairtrade Network significantly contributes to the sense of the community felt all over the city. Everywhere you go, there is evidence of the Fairtrade mission. There are currently four Fairtrade schools and fifteen more are working towards achieving it. Both universities in the city are also committed to Fairtrade, selling and using Fairtrade products as far as then can.

Jenny Foster, Bristol Fairtrade Co-ordinator, is delighted by the influence of Fairtrade in the community. 'Our events are successful because we partner with so many different organisations and companies around the city. Fairtrade is becoming embedded into Bristol schools, businesses and community groups because it is not only ethical and sustainable but makes good sense. People in Bristol want to trade fairly and to see the difference their purchasing choices can make'.

Bristol is truly a Fairtrade city but there is still more work to be done. The great achievements last year means that we are all wondering what Bristol will do for Fairtrade Fortnight 2012. Watch this space to find out how you can get involved!