Promoting responsible value chains and sustainable sourcing through Fair Trade:A Consumer Co-operative’s Standpoint

Promoting responsible value chains and sustainable sourcing through Fair Trade – 22.06.2016

European Community of Consumer Co-operatives

Rosita Zilli Deputy Secretary-General

rzilli@eurocoop.coop

General Facts

European association of consumer co-operatives Members: national consumer co-operative

organizations in 19 countries Members’ main activity: retail

General Numbers

5,000 local consumer co-operatives 500,000 employees 36,000 points of sale 32 million consumer- members > € 76 billion annual retail turnover

Overview of Euro Coop

Promoting responsible value chains and sustainable sourcing through Fair Trade – 22.06.2016

Represent the members before theEU Institutions

Exchange of experiences, bestpractices, know-how

Providing information on key policyissues

Main goals

www.eurocoop.coop

Promoting responsible value chains and sustainable sourcing through Fair Trade – 22.06.2016

Different entrepreneurialmodel based on

values and principles

The Co-operative Difference (I)

VALUES →

Promoting responsible value chains and sustainable sourcing through Fair Trade – 22.06.2016

The Co-operative Difference (II)

PRINCIPLES:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership2. Democratic Member Control3. Member Economic Participation4. Autonomy and Independence5. Education, Training and Information6. Co-operation among Co-operatives7. Concern for Community

Promoting responsible value chains and sustainable sourcing through Fair Trade – 22.06.2016

Co-operatives and Sustainability

Because of their specific

entrepeneurial form based on values

and principles co-operatives are

generally considered as

inherently sustainable businesses

The concept of sustainability is rooted in the one of sustainable develpment,which we intend as indicated by the United Nations

“A mode of human development in which resource use aims to meet human needs while ensuring the sustainability of natural systems and the environment, so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations

to come”

(Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development."

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 42/187, 11 December 1987)

Responsible value chains & Sustainable sourcing through FT – Why?

Obliged option because of the

co-operative nature

Way to respond to consumers’ needs,

expectations

Fair Trade but not only, e.g. fair supply chains in Southern Italy for oranges and tomatoes

Way to address global challenges in an economically sound way

(e.g. climate change/poverty)

Chance to show more transparency to general public, NGOs, regulatoryenvironment

Responsible value chains & Sustainable sourcing through FT – How? (1/2)

Strenghtening relationships

w/ co-operatives in the South of the World

Creating long-lasting working relationships

Promoting goods that take environmental,

social aspects into specific consideration also

via public procurement

Key role of own brands

Responsible value chains & Sustainable sourcing through FT – How? (2/2)

Consumer-members information,

training, education

Increase availability/accessibility

of sustainably sourced goods

Make the “right” option (e.g. local, seasonal, Fair Trade etc.) the “easiest” option

Further co-operation and mutual understanding along the food supply chain

Some good examples (1/3)

The Co-operative Group (UK)

UK’s largest convenience seller of Fairtrade products

Worldwide first own brand product withFairtrade mark: sugar, tea, hot chocolate, roses, cotton wool

« Beyond fairtrade » programme supports farmers, co-operatives and producerassociations in ACP countries

Since 2009, 250000+ people benefitted from 16 projects

Fairtrade hub – Growing stories

Some good examples (2/3)

Coop Italia (IT)

First IT retailer to sell FT products in 1995 (coffee)

2003: creation of the own brand « Solidal » line

2015: « Solidal » turnover = 35 million €

Special focus during« EXPO Milan 2015 » with the meetings:« Travelling around food »

Some good examples (3/3)

Coop Denmark (DK)

Several FT branded products Coops Africa initiative → Focus on increased trade with

African countries to strengthentheir production, competitiveness (« The Best of Africa »)

Own brand line « Savannah » Coop suppliersabide by strict rules defending human and labour rights;cooperate with independent auditing

Coop Norway (NO)

Café Futuro→ FT own brand coffee sourced from 2001 from the Guatemalan Coop « Fedecocagua”

Mix 3% Café Futuro in standard own-brand coffee to increase use volumes

Thank you for your attention!

1844 1954

2024