Every product that arrives on your table has a story that begins long before you open the package. The latest report from the State Fair Trade Coordinator reveals something important: Fairtrade coffee, cocoa and sugar have a much smaller carbon footprint than conventional products.
Results of the Fairtrade carbon footprint report
The study has followed the path of these foods from the field to consumption. The result is clear: the fair and ecological model leaves a much lighter footprint on the planet.
Bread sugar with a smaller environmental footprint
A concrete figure illustrates this very well: one kilo of Fairtrade sugar-bread emits 0.33 kg CO₂ equivalent, compared to 0.70 kg for conventional sugar. The reduction is 45 %.
This difference is born in the soil: the cane is grown without pesticides, enriched with natural compost and even the residues are turned into biofuel.
More sustainable cocoa and chocolate
In cocoa, the difference is even more marked. Its Fairtrade production can generate up to eight times fewer emissions than conventional production. And when it comes to chocolate bars, the result is also surprising: 57 % less carbon footprint.
The secret lies in respectful cultivation methods that protect the soil and use resources responsibly.
Fairtrade coffee with less climate impact
Coffee is another paradigmatic case. According to the report, its footprint can be between 2.3 and 11.4 times smaller than that of conventional coffee. The explanation lies in the way it is produced: natural fertilisers, shade trees that maintain the balance of the ecosystem and more efficient processes that reduce energy consumption.
In the end, a cup of fair trade coffee not only tastes different, it also leaves a much more positive impact.
Transport and production: what determines the carbon footprint?
You may have wondered whether the most polluting part of a product is the journey it takes to reach your table. The report shows that the key is not the distance, but the way it is produced.
The role of agriculture in reducing emissions
Organic farming makes a big difference. The video of the Coordinadora Estatal de Comercio Justo illustrates it clearly: the greatest environmental impact is not in the miles that produce travels, but in how it is grown.
Even when products such as panela cross oceans, their final footprint remains smaller because cultivation practices drastically reduce emissions.
Cooperatives such as Manduvirá in Paraguay They work without pesticides, with natural compost and using waste as biofuel, which reduces emissions by less than half compared to conventional sugar.
As the CECJ points out, sustainability starts on the farm, long before transport.
AlterNativa3's commitment to Fair Trade and sustainability
At AlterNativa3 we believe that these data are not just figures: they are a confirmation of what we have been defending for decades. Fair Trade is a real alternative for caring for the planet and dignifying the lives of producers.
Cooperatives that farm with respect for the environment
We work with cooperatives that understand the land as a common good. There, women and men produce using environmentally friendly techniques, receive a fair price and have the opportunity to build a more stable future. The data in the report reflect the impact of this way of working.
Innovation and reinvestment in sustainability
Our responsibility is also here at home.
As a co-operative, we reinvest profits in more sustainable packaging, training for communities and projects that further reduce our environmental footprint. We continue to move forward so that every decision we make has a positive impact on the planet.
A purchasing decision with real impact
The report shows that responsible consumption transforms the way we produce and consume. When you choose Fairtrade you support a model that protects the planet and ensures decent conditions for the people who grow it.
Thank you for choosing sensible consumption
Every cup of coffee, every bar of chocolate and every spoonful of panela tells a story of effort, resilience and commitment to sustainability. By choosing Fairtrade products from AlterNativa3, you contribute to responsible production practices that respect the land and improve the lives of those who grow it.
Our commitment goes beyond certification: we work side by side with cooperatives that implement ecological techniques, receive a fair price and promote a more stable future for their communities. With every purchase you make, you are supporting a model that combines quality, ethics and sustainability.
