Fairtrade Foundation has published a report showing that the UK has a ‘hidden’ carbon footprint; these are greenhouse gas emissions generated overseas to create food for UK consumers that cannot be grown in this country. This includes firm favourites like coffee, tea and chocolate. Nearly half of emissions (46%) linked to UK consumption are created overseas. The Foundation is calling on the government to take responsibility for the UK’s actual carbon footprint by including offshore emissions in its net zero target.

Fairtrade Foundation CEO, Mike Gidney said, “Without fair prices and fairer trading practices, chronically underpaid farmers, will continue to struggle to pay for essentials like food and healthcare, let alone protect their crops from climate damage. They need comprehensive financial support: it should not fall to them to deal with a crisis not of their own making.”