Fair trade

We have participated in the Fairtrade University scheme since 2004, making commitments to fair trade procurement, awareness-raising and research. The University is now working towards its next award.

Fair trade is about improving livelihoods for producers and workers by paying fair prices that reflect costs of production and enable a decent standard of living. Fair trade models also incorporate other fair trading practices  such as the payment of premiums (in the Fairtrade certification system), support for training and capacity building, long-term contracts, and pre-financing. Well-known approaches to fair trade include Fairtrade certification and the World Fair Trade Organisation verification system.   

Most recently, the University took part in a 2017/18 pilot of a new Fairtrade University and Colleges Award, led by the Fairtrade Foundation and SOS UK. We received a "two-star Fairtrade University Award" in recognition of our continued promotion of fair trade products and principles. This award was valid through May 2020 and we are now preparing to submit for reaccreditation. The University continues to maintain its longstanding commitment to fair trade and develop its approach to ethical supply chains. 

Students: get involved with Fairtrade Fortnight

What the University is doing

The University is committed to continued promotion and understanding of fair trade. 

Supporting the International Fair Trade Charter

We recognise and support the International Fair Trade Charter launched in September 2018 by the World Fair Trade Organisation and Fairtrade International. Supporters of the charter share a vision of a world in which everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full human potential.

Find out more about the International Fair Trade Charter

Our Fair Trade policy

Our commitment to fair trade means that whenever possible we aim to buy products that are produced fairly and ethically and support on-going academic research and development in this area.

Read our Fair Trade policy (197.44 KB PDF)

Here are some of the things we are doing to promote fair trade:

• University and Students' Association catering outlets and shops continue to expand their range of fair trade options, including many Fairtrade labelled products, as well as others such as Malawian rice from Just Trading Scotland
• We raise awareness of fair trade issues during Fairtrade Fortnight each year
• We are members of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum and Edinburgh Fair Trade City Group
• University staff, Students Association colleagues and elected student representatives are meeting regularly to collaborate on our Fairtrade University and College Award submission and identify new improvements

Find out more about the University's fair trade products and initiatives below.

Tony's Chocolonely

Tony's Chocolonely is a brand of chocolate who are working to make 100% slave-free the norm.

Fairtrade bananas and apple juice

All bananas at the University are Fairtrade from Panama

Hot beverages

In 2018/19, we served almost 2.9 million cups of Fairtrade coffee, 613,384 cups of Fairtrade hot chocolate and 671,361 cups of Fairtrade tea

Electronics

The University became a founding member of Electronics Watch in 2014, an EU-wide initiative which supports public buyers in calling for fair working conditions in electronics manufacturing

Rice from Malawi

All rice served at the University is sourced from smallholder farmers in Malawi through Just Trading Scotland, a Scottish fair trade distributor.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020

The University is committed to promoting fair trade wherever possible, and works actively to combat human rights abuses in supply chains.