Led by Chief Executive Ms. Maria Cheung, Fair Trade Hong Kong (FTHK) plays a vital role in educating consumers and collaborating with producers and businesses to expand the availability of Fairtrade products in the local market. Such an approach exemplifies the application of Systems Thinking - acknowledging the interconnectedness of various supply chain stages and the stakeholders involved (producers, workers, consumers and local community). 

To obtain Fairtrade certification, Maria ascertains that organizations need to undergo a rigorous auditing process conducted by an independent certification body, FLOCERT, who checks an organization’s compliance with Fairtrade standards and ensures the integrity of the FAIRTRADE Mark while adhering to ISEAL’s Assurance Code, an internationally recognized code for sustainability standards. Throughout the standards setting process (Figure 1), stakeholders are involved in the consultation and evaluation process, and this upholds an emphasis to engage relevant stakeholders. Going beyond economic and environmental considerations to encompass social justice and community empowerment, the operation of Fairtrade aligns very much with Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) [link to S-LCA article] principles.   

By regularly issuing reports that highlight the benefits to stakeholders, Fairtrade International (FI) provides transparency and offers consumers a clear view of the impacts of Fairtrade, effectively addressed the increasing concern of greenwashing within the sustainability movement. The FAIRTRADE Mark now represents an adherence to strict social, economic, and environmental standards, and it is the hope of FTHK to have more FAIRTRADE Mark products in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China.    

The global climate crisis, with its devastating effects on both the environment and human well-being, highlights the need for fairness, equity, and inclusive decision-making. Fairtrade calls for trade and climate justice by empowering farmers and producers with knowledge and resources to build their climate resilience; supporting workers not only financially but also in terms of their awareness of their own rights. By empowering stakeholders and fostering partnerships, FTHK works towards creating positive impacts across the entire life cycle of products and driving systemic change.