An economy that works for people and planet needs a new kind of business model. This cannot be today’s dominant mode of blinkered profit maximisation, where the environment is exploited and society manipulated. Nor can it be a model that is fixated only on delivering financial returns to the few. The new economy will not be created by businesses that wear this self-destructive straight-jacket.
News
05/10/2019 - 20:38
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF), a community of U.S. and Canadian businesses committed to fair trade, is joining the WFTO in celebrating innovative business and product solutions that support people and planet! Learn how bags, bracelets, t-shirts, and lip balm from FTF members are empowering women, creating economic opportunities, fighting climate change, and promoting an ethical lifestyle.
Innovations that empower women
05/10/2019 - 17:43
In the Province of Cauquenes, located in the dry interior of the Region of Maule in Chile, it is calculated that there are over 2,000 people dedicated to the activity of handcrafted weaving, either in the process of spinning, dyeing and weaving sheep wool.
This craft has deep traditions in the area. It is possible to appreciate the significant asymmetry between the importance the workforce dedicates to the activity, and the lack of impression the business has on improving the income level of the population.
05/10/2019 - 10:28
The Body Shop has launched its first Community Trade Recycled Plastic from Bengaluru, India, in partnership with WFTO guaranteed member Plastics for Change. The initiative highlights the lesser-known, human side of the plastic crisis.
The Body Shop aims to fight more than plastic pollution – it wants to drive social change and help empower people at the same time.
05/09/2019 - 10:39
The year 2019 marks the 29th year of refugee confinement at the Thai-Myanmar border. The refugees have fled violence and fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces and armed ethnic rebel forces. This prolonged encampment and with no clear sight and hope for the future has left the refugees and displaced persons despondent. Their everyday challenges are manifested by endemic poverty.
05/05/2019 - 11:59
This new short documentary Journey to Pavitramenthe tells the story of the farming communities in Bareilly, India that supply the organic mint oil used in Dr. Bronner’s iconic peppermint soap. In Bareilly, mint crops are key to the livelihoods of over 1,500 farmers and their families. These farmers are now shifting to regenerative organic agricultural practices that increase yields and soil fertility while fostering resilience in the face of a changing climate.
05/03/2019 - 10:27
Natalia Popielska
Fast Fashion’s Dirty Secrets
“Fast fashion is like fast food. After the sugar rush, it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth”. (Livia Firth)
How would you describe your clothing style? Most of us would probably use words like fashionable, stylish, elegant, casual, vintage, bohemian, artsy, comfortable, sporty.... but what about FAST?
04/15/2019 - 17:34
I started People Tree nearly 30 years ago and whilst we make great clothes, foods, and crafts, which are high on social impact and low on environmental impact, it has never been enough.
03/07/2019 - 16:29
Culemborg, The Netherlands, 8 March 2019 - Today, the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) releases new studies that shows the majority of Fair Trade Enterprises are led by women. According to the study, the network of more than 300 social enterprises in over 70 countries (i.e. WFTO members) have women as the majority among CEOs, board members and senior managers. This is in stark contrast to the mainstream business world.