British shoppers are voting with their wallets for the planet and ethical work practices more than ever before, say the group behind the Fairtrade mark.
Brits might have faced the sharpest increase in living costs for four decades, but despite the cost of living crisis, concerns over the environment and the treatment of farmers in poorer countries has fuelled a steady increase in ethical shopping.
The International Fairtrade Certification Mark is an independent certification mark used in over 69 countries. It appears on products as an independent guarantee that a product has been produced according to Fairtrade political standards.
The green and blue logo, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, guarantees minimum prices for producers in lower income countries and has become a globally-recognised symbol of fairly produced and sustainable goods.
The Fairtrade Foundation expects to have banked £13m ($16.4m) for licensing the certification in 2023, up from £12.8m in 2022 - a sign that sales of ethical goods are holding their own despite the cost of living crisis. Businesses can apply for a licence to use the logo on approved products for a fee, so as sales increase, the fees to the foundation increase.
“This is testament that, as happened in the financial crisis of 2008 to 2009, British shoppers do not trade down on their values when times are tough,” Fairtrade Foundation CEO Michael Gidney told The Guardian.
The news chimes with a recent poll by B Corp which showed that over half of Britons use sustainability certifications to decide who to work for or spend money with.