Fair Trade 2030
Fair Trade originally started as an alternative to the conventional international trade system, launched by small producers from the South. In 2015 sales of Fair Trade products amounted to 61,4 million euro, a 10,9% growth compared to 2014. Besides, consumers are also increasingly concerned by the negative impacts of the dominant agro-industrial system. They are more and more attracted by sustainable and local products. Since 2013 traditional actors in Fair Trade, are also marketing processed food products from small Belgian or EU producers. They also serve as storage for baskets of locally-grown vegetables.
In September 2015 the United Nations agreed on17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) to be reached in 2030, aiming at reducing the poverty and inequalities in the world, and take action on the environmental challenges. The UN Member States pledged to sustained economic growth (goal 8) but also sustainable consumption and production (goal 12) and actions to avoid further climate change (goal 13).
Within this framework the Club of Rome EU-Chapter (CoR-EU) is developing specific actions on SDG 8 around the concept of “economic growth” and what kind of trade we would like to see, in order to achieve sustainable consumption and production. This will include a public debate on 5 October with students, stakeholders from civil society, politics, academia and business on their vision on Fair Trade at the 2030 horizon.
The questions raised at the panel debate will be, amongst others:
a) What kind of transition to Fair Trade would you like to see by 2030? Main streaming sustainability certification in conventional supply chains? Participating in the transition system towards more sustainable food and agriculture systems?
b) Is the increase of the Fair Trade market compatible with the need to address the ecological boundaries of the planet? If so, how?
c) The theme of this year´s Fair Trade fortnight in Belgium is “Let´s turn Belgium into a Fair Trade country”: what would being a Fair Trade country imply, in your view?
d) What kind of public policies could be developed at EU and WTO level to sustain Fair Trade beyond the niche market?
This special event benefits from the intellectual support of the Club of Rome, the expertise and network of the CoR-EU. It is supported by the Belgian Development Agency BCT / CTB and will highlight Belgium’s Fair Trade efforts at EU level.
Panel of speakers include:
- Professor Jan Orbie, Director of Centre for EU Studies, University of Gent
- Sergi Corbalán, Executive Director, Fair Trade Advocacy Office
- European Commission representative – tbc
- Private sector representative – tbc
Moderator: Leida Reinhout, Friends of the Earth Europe
We would like to create a lively exchange between the panel and the audience and offer you the possibility to send a question you would like to be raised at the event. If selected, you can be given the floor to speak up in front of the panel. Send your proposed questions toFairTrade@clubofrome.eu
You can also share your questions and views (before, during and after the event) on Twitter using #FairTrade2030
If you have any logistical question, please also write an email to FairTrade@clubofrome.eu