Climate change and sustainability

The Council has long been a supporter of the Fairtrade movement. Chester became the world’s first Fairtrade city in 2002 and Cheshire West was first accredited as a Fairtrade Borough by the Fairtrade Foundation in July 2011, as part of a wider multi-disciplinary Fairtrade group.

Last year, the Council was awarded accreditation as a Fairtrade Community, confirming it as a strategic partner supporting awareness of Fairtrade and promoting the use of Fairtrade products in the borough. The Council works alongside brilliant volunteers in Chester and Neston who have long established active Fairtrade groups.

Effectively this means that the Council will work to raise the profile of Fairtrade, whilst being aware of the ever-challenging financial climate for consumers.

Why Fairtrade?

As an international movement, and in partnership with 2 million farmers and workers, Fairtrade has a vision of a world in which all producers enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential, and decide on their future.

Fairtrade works with farmers and workers in more than 1,900 producer organisations, across 68 countries, so they can improve their living standards, invest in their communities and businesses and protect our shared environment. It supports small scale farmers and workers who are marginalised from trade in a variety of ways and carefully monitors the impact of Fairtrade on these communities.

Fairtrade as a certification is much more than merely an environmental certification, it is the only and best ethical and social certification that really ensures social and environmental, ethical and economic impact, and therefore human impact. Enrique Calderon, Coffee Farmer, Coopeagri (source Fairtrade website).

How will the Council do this?

As an organisation and alongside partners, the council will continue to encourage the sale of products with the Fairtrade mark, advocate for Fairtrade and connect and promote plans for Fairtrade Fortnight each year.

The Council wants to make Fairtrade a consideration in everything it does as an organisation including in procurement, contracts and commissioning. It will continue to encourage residents and colleagues to get involved locally and in areas with limited Fairtrade activity especially during Fairtrade fortnight.

The Council is also exploring opportunities to work with environmental and climate teams to raise awareness of Fairtrade in our green spaces and with key partners in Town and Parish Councils to spread awareness through visibility across the borough, (including in Council buildings and Council companies) in preparation for Fairtrade fortnight.

As the Cabinet’s Fairtrade Champion, Cllr Paul Donovan works closely with Fairtrade Community Groups in Chester and Neston advocating for the great range of activity and awareness they deliver.

Useful Links

The Fairtrade Shop Chester

Fairtrade - Wesley Church Centre

Opening Hours: Tuesdays 10.00am - 2.30pm, Wednesday - Saturdays 10.00am - 2.00pm . Welcome to Chester Fairtrading! We are a non-profit-making company based at our Fairtrade Shop in Wesley Church Centre and are run by a dedicated team of volunteers.

Neston Fairtrade Group

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