Child protection is a key issue for Fairtrade, as child labour unfortunately remains commonplace in the agricultural sector, especially in communities who hardly earn a living income. UNICEF estimates that 160 million children around the world are engaged in work that threatens their health and safety or interrupts schooling – 70 percent of them in the agricultural sector. Child labour refers to work – paid or unpaid – which harms a child’s health and wellbeing, their education, leisure or development. It involves both boys and girls, and in some regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, more than one child in four aged five to 17 are engaged in child labour. The causes are multi-faceted and complex, but poverty remains the key driver. The Fairtrade approach to child protection is human rights-based and inclusive, and targets direct root causes.

Deforestation is a driver of climate change and contributes to loss of biodiversity. The Fairtrade Standards have built-in forest protection requirements that meet or go beyond what is required in European Union regulations. What's more, Fairtrade offers support and financial benefits to producers – and works to tackle root causes of deforestation such as poverty – so they can play their part to farm sustainably and conserve forests. Healthy forests are not just good for the planet, through their important role in carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Forests also contribute to soil and water protection, support diverse animal and plant life, and serve as home to indigenous populations. Forests are essential to the livelihoods of more than 1.6 billion people around the world.

The Sustainable Development Goals aim to end poverty “in all its forms, everywhere”, while leaving no one behind. This ambition is central to Fairtrade’s mission. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 – are an ambitious set of 17 overarching global goals to combat poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030. Covering topics from gender equality to climate change, and education to clean drinking water, they represent a powerful opportunity to improve the lives of the 1.3 billion small scale farmers and agricultural workers upon whom the world depends to produce our food and protect our planet. The ambition is laudable, but there is still a long way to go to achieve many of the goals. Despite progress, more than 780 million people live below the international poverty line. Worldwide, 160 million children are still involved in child labour. And climate change threatens to reverse progress on all levels. What’s more, the goals only provide a framework. It’s up to governments but also businesses and civil society to take action to ensure they are achieved.

Fairtrade works to support farmers and workers, foster responsible business conduct and induce policy reforms that protect human and environmental rights – in order to mitigate human rights risks in global supply chains. Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) is a company’s responsibility and means managing the social and environmental risks and harms linked to its business. If conducted properly HREDD can be groundbreaking in advancing farmers’ and workers’ rights and environmental sustainability.

In a world driven by consumer demands and global supply chains, workers are often left behind. Fairtrade works together with and for workers to address deeply rooted challenges. Fairtrade supports workers through strong standards, by partnering with labour organisations across the world and helping create a market that prioritises ethical sourcing. Because workers deserve better wages, safe working conditions, and the ability to plan ahead and invest in their communities. It is simply fair.