Low producer awareness on policy processes

Over the years, members of civil society and governments have come together to find solutions for the climate change challenge; yet the voice of grassroots continues to be amiss. Fairtrade has been conducting climate change advocacy workshops with farmers in various parts of South Africa over the past 3 months. During these visits we identified a missing piece of the puzzle: “downward accountability”. Farmers...

Farmers once again place hopes in UNFCCC talks

On Monday delegates entered the second week of UNFCCC talks in Bonn, Germany. These talks follow last year’s COP17 discussions in Durban and are in preparation to COP18, which will take place in Doha, Qatar later in the year. Fairtrade farmers may not be physically present; however, Fairtrade Africa through its partners continues to watch developments closely. Though discussions in Bonn may not provide new...

Bunker tax on the radar of Rooibos farmers at Wupperthal

The shipping industry is known to be one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (CHG) emissions. As a result, and in order to counteract their impact on climate change, some organisations have been advocating for a tax on ships. This issue is currently a source of great concern for farmers at Wupperthal Original Rooibos Cooperative in South Africa. Wupperthal original rooibos cooperative is one of the few...

Trade vs climate change – Conflicts & synergies

Issues of trade and climate change have in the past been seen as odd bedfellows. Any connections between the two have been seen as sources of tension and conflict. However, as climate change policy evolves, the relationship between trade and climate change must be thrust into the limelight. The potential for conflict is real. One may cite of developments in terms of aviation tax as a source of such conflict. The...