TRAIDCRAFT EXCHANGE

Say yes to green trade (and no to fossil fuels)

Trade has to be fairer and greener. It's that simple. Will you join the campaign for the UK to join the green trade agreement?

Climate change hits the poorest people in the world hardest. And the effects of climaterelated disasters are depriving millions of farmers of secure livelihoods.

The UK has do everything it can to stop the climate crisis. But the UK currently spends about £10 billion a year subsidising coal, oil, and gas – the very fuels that threaten our planet. This means taxpayers’ money goes towards making it cheaper to destroy the planet. That has got to stop. The UK has a chance to do the right thing. Now that the UK has left the EU, it can make its own trade deals. And there’s a new trade deal that does all the things we want trade to do. The UK should join a new green trade agreement created by New Zealand, Norway, Costa Rica, and 3 other countries.

This green trade agreement is called ACCTS. Here's what ACCTS does:

• stops fossil fuels subsidies • supports environmentally-friendly trade and businesses

• re-balances trade in favour of greener industries and away from fossil fuels. Trade that supports people and the planet – that's exactly what we're all working for. Take action: Go to traidcraftexchange.org/accts and join the campaign.

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PRIZE Raffle

Feeling lucky this February?! Don’t forget to buy a ticket for Traidcraft Exchange’s raffle! With some amazing prizes up for grabs, including a bespoke piece of art by British artist Cherrie Mansfield, there’s still time to enter! You can buy your tickets online and check if you’ve won all from the comfort of your sofa. For more details, and to buy a ticket, please visit:

traidcraftexchange.org/raffle

Only when we get trade right can we end global poverty. Right now, millions of people are without the very basics they need to earn enough to survive. No matter how hard they work, they won’t be able to put food on the table, or pay for medical help for their children. This needs to change. A fair income gives you freedom, security and hope for the future. It allows you to feed your family and educate your children. That’s why Traidcraft Exchange’s work is so important – because a decent income changes everything. It gives people the freedom to buy enough to eat, to save for emergencies, and build a decent home, to supporting their children’s education or pay for life saving medicines. We are working to build a world where everyone, no matter where they were born, can earn a decent wage and live free from exploitation. But in a changing world and a challenging fundraising climate, Traidcraft Exchange depends even more on the generosity of people like you to fund our work. One way to give is through a gift in your will. After looking after those closest to them, many people choose to leave a small percentage of the total value of their estate to charity. A gift to Traidcraft Exchange of just 1% of the average house value in the UK would enable us to support thousands of families across the world. Perhaps making a will – and leaving a legacy gift to the Traidcraft Exchange family – is still on your to-do list. Maybe it is a New Year’s resolution you haven’t yet acted on? 2020 reminded us that none of us know what’s round the corner. So will-writing is for everyone, a vital part of prudent financial planning to safeguard ourselves, our loved ones, our assets, our values and the causes most dear to us when we die. Please consider remembering Traidcraft Exchange in your will, to ensure that for many more people in poor countries, after you’ve gone, life does indeed go on. Thank you. For more information on Traidcraft Exchange’s free will service or to request a legacy information pack please go to: traidcraftexchange.org/legacy or contact us at hello@traidcraft.org.uk

A climate friendly, changemaking clear out!

With the country still in lockdown, it might be time for a post-Christmas clear out... Recycling is always great for the planet, but now you can make it great for Traidcraft Exchange too! Help change the future for families in the world's poorest communities through sending our partners your used, old, broken or unwanted items. They will recycle them free of charge, and send the income directly to Traidcraft Exchange. If you’ve got any old jewellery or out of use bank notes, or even a rusty old car cluttering up the house or garage, now is the time to recycle them for a good cause! We can also recycle printer cartridges. traidcraftexchange.org/recycling

Big Brew

Fairtrade Fortnight!

We know many of you will be celebrating (a slightly different, lockdown-style!) Fairtrade Fortnight, and to help you out, we've created some online Big Brew resources - but what we'd love is for you to postpone your Big Brew if at all possible until a little later this year! You can learn why and access all our online resources and ideas here:

traidcraftexchange.org/bigbrew