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<\/a><\/p>\nThe International Institute for Environment and Development<\/a>, a non-profit research organisation, has released a report that sheds light on the food miles debate. The report <\/a>highlights the social and economic benefits to some of the poorest farmers in the world when we buy food produced in Sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n It states that \u2018over 1 million livelihoods in Africa are supported by UK consumption of imported fresh fruit and vegetables\u2019 and that \u2018In the UK, 87% of the Green Beans that we consume are from 5 African countries\u2019.<\/p>\n These figures are staggering. The report makes it clear that in not buying air-freighted produce from Africa, \u2018we can only reduce UK total emissions by less than 0.1%\u2019. Given that so many livelihoods are dependent on the UK market, perhaps it would be better to focus our carbon saving efforts elsewhere?<\/p>\n I looked to the Fairtrade Foundation for more guidance. In Why the Climate Revolution Must be a Fair Revolution<\/a><\/em>, it says that it\u2019s more important to consider a product\u2019s total life cycle emissions. Basically it\u2019s telling us that in every step of the production process emissions are generated and we\u2019re getting hung up on one element – transport. For example, Cafedirect found that 65% of the carbon emissions <\/a>from a cup of Teadirect comes from boiling the kettle in the UK.<\/p>\n So this Fairtrade Fortnight, I\u2019m leaving the food miles debate behind and supporting the brands that carry the Fairtrade mark. I know that I need to reduce my own personal emissions but I don\u2019t think that the supermarket is the place to start.<\/p>\n This Fairtrade Fortnight Oxfam and Caf\u00e9direct have teamed up to the The Big Swap<\/a>. You can swap a bag of clothing donations for a box of Caf\u00e9direct’s Everyday Tea in Oxfam shops that stock food – So to start my spring cleaning early I’ll be having a sort through my wardrobe this Fairtrade Fortnight.<\/p>\n Find out more about how you can get involved in The Big Swap<\/a>.<\/p>\n