Traidcraft and the environment

During 2006-2007, we have reduced our carbon footprint by 20%.

What we are doing

We have:

• Switched our electricity supply to renewable sources
  Traidcraft’s main Gateshead sites have switched to 100% renewable electricity, supplied by Ecotricity. Switching to renewable electrity resulted in a reduction in CO₂ in 2006-2007 of 130 tonnes.
• Reduced our use of air freight
  During 2006-2007, Traidcraft imported significantly less by air than the previous year. This was in line with the organisation’s strategic direction to minimise air freight.
• Changed catalogue production to use more environmentally friendly paper sources
  Our spring 2007 catalogue was printed on paper made from a blend of fibres coming from recycled household paper (up to 40%) and the balance from sustainably managed forests. The front cover was made from 100% recycled paper. Both the paper mill and the catalogue printer operate an environmental management system certified to ISO14001 and publish annual statements verified to the EU’s EMAS standard.
• Improved data capture of staff air travel and included parcel carriers in our carbon footprint analysis
  Our mail order parcel carrier has now performed an organisation wide study of its carbon footprint and is able to provide data to us regarding their estimate of our parcel carbon footprint.
• Mobilised awareness of issues among our staff
  This has included a carbon footprint league table for staff and improved recycling facilities.

Carbon offsetting

Traidcraft accepts that carbon offsetting is not an ideal solution for carbon management and that reduction at source is the most appropriate strategic option.

Our current view is that in 2006-2007 our carbon emissions from direct activities were approximately 1,166 tonnes.

We have therefore offset a significant proportion (75%) of our known emissions – those relating to our direct transport activities – and we are seeking more reliable data on our parcel carriers' impact with the intention of off-setting these also in 2007-2008.