O comércio justo como agente mitigador das mudanças climáticas: o caso do algodão ecológico

Abstract

Fair Trade is an alternative business approach oriented to Sustainable Development, with better exchanges conditions, furthering the preservation of the environment and providing better conditions for producers. The main focus of this research is to highlight how Fair Trade can contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. The research was conducted in two stages, fi rst an exploratory phase, to seek practical examples reported in the theory and the second, when descriptive data were collected within organizations which are part of Fair Trade cotton agroecological chain. This cotton is produced using sustainable agricultural techniques and is certifi ed organic and Fair Trade. The results suggest that Fair Trade can be an alternative to mitigate the harmful effects of production on large scales and the intensive use of agrochemicals. We highlighted the advances made in this direction, as well as the needs that still must be worked out.