Scottish Fair Trade will be represented by our Chief Executive, Louise Davies next week at COP30

Next week I’ll be heading to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where global leaders, businesses, campaigners and civil society groups will gather to shape the next phase of international climate action. With our new report Climate, Environment & Fair Trade – Making the Connection just launched, this is a valuable opportunity to try to bring the Fair Trade perspective into the heart of the climate talks. 

Civil society representation is fairly limited this year, but I aim to connect with other campaigners, Fair Trade producers, and government representatives to highlight how trade justice and climate justice are inseparable – and why Fair Trade should be recognised as a key tool for climate action. 

There will be Fair Trade producers from South America attending the second week of COP, including coffee and honey producers, and I’m looking forward to helping set the stage for their arrival by promoting Fair Trade in the first week especially at side events on issues like workers’ rights, adaptation and sustainable economies. 

This opportunity has come together thanks to a bit of good timing and collaboration. I’ll already be in Brazil for a personal holiday afterwards (and to see Oasis in São Paulo!). My conference observer pass has kindly been arranged through my former employer, Scotland’s International Development Alliance (SIDA), and I’ll be sharing accommodation with my partner, who works for a climate charity. In short, there’s minimal cost to Scottish Fair Trade for my attendance, but huge potential benefit in ensuring Fair Trade voices are heard at COP.  

While in Belém, I hope to meet with representatives from the Scottish Government’s Climate Justice team and other NGOs attending COP, ensuring that Scotland’s Fair Trade movement is represented and our message is heard: 

There’s no climate justice without trade justice. 

Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates and reflections from COP30.

And if you would like to support Fair Trade at COP30, join Scotland’s Climate March and walk with the Fair Trade bloc. Saturday 15 November, starting at Glasgow’s People’s Palace at 11.30. To join in, email info@scottishfairtrade.org.