We have seen an incredible shift in awareness of our environmental impact over the last decade. After the continued success of Fairtrade International in promoting economic stability and well-being for producer communities since 1997, the focus has now widened to the health of our planet.

It can be quite overwhelming to make the right decision when we stare at the supermarket shelves. Brands and certifications compete relentlessly for our attention, each one trying to convince us that they are the ‘greenest’. So much so, in fact, that there is now a term to describe the deceptive marketing spin used by companies to convince us that they are environmentally friendly: ‘greenwashing’.

One product claims to be carbon neutral, another carbon free, and another carbon zero – what’s the difference? It can be tough to cut through all of the names and terms, but we think the best way to prepare yourself is by stripping away the marketing and getting to the core of the issue – how are the products made, and what are they made from?