We are so pleased to say that we recently renewed our Fairtrade University status, after being audited for the academic years 2020/21 and 2021/22. The Fairtrade University Award is a joint accreditation between The Students’ Union and UWE Bristol, and we have now been a Fairtrade University since 2006. This award really shows how effectively we and UWE Bristol can collaborate together.

Why Fairtrade is important

Fairtrade is a fantastic way to raise awareness of the following issues:

• Social and economic justice
• Climate adaptation
• Gender equality
• Global citizenship
• Ethical and sustainable consumption

You can read more about Fairtrade on the UWE Bristol website here, or have a look at this blog by Sian, one of our student bloggers.

“Fairtrade helps us to recognise that we cannot separate food and consumption from issues of social justice and fairness. Many farmers and workers across the world are living in poverty, to build a more equitable world for all, we must ensure people are paid a fair wage for the hard work that they do. We are one global family and we have a responsibility to our fellow human beings across the world who produce the goods and food that we depend on.”

Rania, President of The Students’ Union

What the award entails:

The new process involves reviewing a huge range of activities, such as:

• Leadership, strategy and policies
• Campaigning and engagement
• Procurement in retail and hospitality
• Research and the curriculum

Additionally, it involves a thorough evaluation of our impact, and all with student involvement in the audit. We are really proud to have increased the availability of Fairtrade products in our cafes and bars, as well as raising awareness about this important issue.

What we have done:

• Promotion of Fairtrade to all students, staff, and visitors at UWE Bristol.
• Over 25 Fairtrade products for sale in The Students’ Union shop.
• Over 65% of teas, coffees and sugar served on campus are Fairtrade.
• Staff automatically given Fairtrade options for their offices.
• Advertising of Fairtrade products and where they are sold.
• Free tasters and 10% off promotion of drinks and products at all bars and cafés at key times.
• Organised events during Fairtrade Fortnight every February/March and during our Green Fortnight, such as: Fairtrade pancake day event, Fairtrade cook-along sessions, lectures and talks about Fairtrade, etc.
• Supported students to do study projects on Fairtrade within their courses e.g., on gender equality, climate justice and adaptation.

With the climate and ecological emergencies becoming ever more challenging, the cost of living crisis and supply issues, issues of Fairtrade and climate justice have never been more important. If you would like to be involved, please contact sustainability@uwe.ac.uk or thegreenteam@uwe.ac.uk