Achievements around fair trade and modern slavery have been highlighted this year. Fair trade Image The efforts of the University community to ethical purchasing and sustainable procurement were recognised through the Fairtrade University and College Award. The University and Edinburgh University Students' Association have participated in the Fairtrade University scheme since 2004, making commitments to procure fair trade, awareness-raising, and research. In 2022, the University maintained its two-star ranking, with a maximum of three possible stars. A range of achievements were completed over the last two academic years by departments from across the University (between 2019 and 2022). This included policy and statement renewals, our continued commitment to purchasing fair trade products, and student projects. The University continued to only supply Fairtrade tea, coffee, and sugar across Accommodation, Catering and Events services, throughout the pandemic through considerable challenges with supply chains and suppliers. A student-led project developed planetary menus, which highlighted Fairtrade and ethical purchasing. Going forward, the University aims to align more of its purchasing to its Fair Trade policy, supporting approaches to embed the principles of fair trade into procurement practices. University receives Fairtrade Award for eighteenth year Modern slavery The University strengthened its approach to addressing modern slavery by publishing an Anti-Slavery Policy, which sets out its commitments and responsibilities in relation to modern slavery, as well as outlining the controls and systems to reduce the risk of modern slavery taking place in the University’s business or supply chains. This also covers suppliers and contractors. The increase in global demand for products like personal protection equipment increased risks to human rights in supply chains during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the presence of the virus itself has impacted worker safety across the globe. This academic year, the University has continued to work internally and with its partners to address some of these risks, and acknowledge that, in some regions in which our supply chains operate, Covid-19 is still a major concern. Modern Slavery Statement Anti-Slavery Policy, The University of Edinburgh Procurement This article was published on 2024-10-01
