China
Three decades of economic reform has fundamentally changed China. By 2009, China is the world’s third biggest economy. The phenomenal rate of growth has brought with it prices and stresses. The most visible includes heavy pollution, an alarming income gap, and poor working conditions in millions of factories and plantations.
Improving labour conditions
The Regional Expertise Centre (REC) China, based in Bejing, is exploring innovative approaches to address China’s sustainable challenges. Till date, there are still few initiatives promoting sustainability or responsibility in the agricultural sector in china. 150 million people living below the poverty line prove that the need for such initiatives is high.
The REC China team is working on improving labour conditions and environmental issues in both manufacturing and agricultural sectors. It is currently launching programmes in the cotton, tea, soy and palm oil sectors.
Cases
We offer
REC China works on sustainable supply chains in close collaboration with Solidaridad's worldwide network of expertise centres and local partners. Together we deliver the following services:
To producers
- Training farmers in farming techniques that have less negative impact on people and the environment and lead to better and higher yields.
- Supporting producer organizations through capacity building and organizational strengthening.
- Assisting producer organizations to get access to means of production, finance and markets.
- Supporting agricultural producer organizations and industrial producer companies to qualify for social and environmental certification standards.
To companies
- Supporting companies to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) related to sourcing in developing countries.
- Developing sustainable business concepts in order to broaden the marketplace for sustainable products from developing countries.
- Supporting sustainable business initiatives with marketing and communication to inform business partners and consumers.
Other
- Developing certification standards for sustainable production and fair trade (such as Fair Trade and UTZ CERTIFIED).
- Supporting civil society organizations that empower women, farmers or employees, as well as organizations that protect nature and bio diversity.
- Seeking dialogue with stakeholders and the public using our knowledge, experience and views on sustainable economic development and corporate social responsibility.