Co-op named 'Climate Leader of the Year' for supporting farmers at the frontline of the climate crisis

05 October 2023

Co-op’s major efforts to support farmers at the front-line of the climate crisis has been recognised today (Thursday 5 October) after being named “Climate Leader” of the year.

The convenience retailer was awarded the prestigious title after investing over half a million-pound to help farmers in its supply chain in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Dominican Republic and Colombia to better mitigate against the impact of the climate crisis.

Co-op was recognised at the first Fairtrade Global Awards for its commitment to “innovate and generate impact to tackle the climate crisis”. The judging panel comprised of farmers, workers and representatives from the three Fairtrade producer regions of Africa, Latin America and Caribbean and Asia and the Pacific.

As part of Co-op’s Climate Plan, more than £500,000 has been invested so far by the retailer and its partner suppliers to help implement climate-smart farming techniques designed to strengthen and mitigate against climate shocks, crop diseases, the rising cost of living, food insecurity and natural disasters well as promote sustainable production and diversification.

Guy Stuart, Director of Technical, Agriculture and Sustainability at Co-op, said: “The climate emergency is as a humanitarian crisis as much as an environmental one. That's why we put people at the heart of our plan, pledging to support producers on the front line of the climate crisis.

“Now more than ever, the challenges that are facing farmers are stark and we need co-operation at the heart of our collective responses to equip producers with the tools to sustain themselves and their communities for long-term food security. That’s why we continue to invest to support the climate adaptation and resilience of producers who are unproportionally impacted and we’re pioneering farmer-centric climate adaptation programmes with Fairtrade. We’re proud to have been awarded the Climate Leader award in the first ever Fairtrade Global Awards.”

Sandra Uwera, Fairtrade International Global CEO, said: “Businesses have the potential to be remarkable agents of positive change. At Fairtrade International, we've seen countless examples of companies going the extra mile to make a sustainable impact. With great pride, we announce the launch of new award categories, recognizing those businesses that are leading the way. Let us use their stories as a source of inspiration, a testament to what's possible, and a call to action for others to follow suit in the pursuit of a more sustainable world."

Ends

Notes to editors:

Co-op was the first UK retailer to invest in Fairtrade Africa’s climate strategy, co-founding the Fairtrade Alliance for Climate Smart Supply Chains in Africa (FACSCA). This programme has been working with 12 at-risk producer organisations in tea, coffee, and flower supply chains to support them to take meaningful action against climate change.

Co-op, in partnership with our supplier and CLAC Fairtrade Producer Network, has also been supporting smallholder banana farmers in Dominican Republic and Colombia since 2019 to help support work to improve fertility and productivity of banana farms in a sustainable way. This has seen small-holder farmers’ incomes increase and the environmental footprint of banana production reduced, along with increased resilience to diseases and climate change through more resilient soil. The biological diversity of the soils has increased by more than 600%.

About Co-op:
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates over 2,400 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 5,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited. Employing almost 57,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11.5 billion and is a recognised leader for its social goals and community-led programmes. The Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in.

More information:
Contact Lauren.Chambers@coop.co.uk