Glossary

If you feel that the world of Fair Trade has its very own language – don’t fret! We’ll keep you in the know!

With this glossary we’ll guide you through the common technical terms used by FLOCERT, Fairtrade International and the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO).

Learn about the wor(l)ds of Fair Trade below!

Navigate the glossary by letter

Sustainability

In ecology, sustainability means that a biological system is able to remain diverse and productive indefinitely. Sustainability can also be defined as a socio-ecological process characterised by the pursuit of a common ideal.

According to the World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development is: “A process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations.”