Our Focus in 2022
Gosport Fairtrade Action (GFA) continued to highlight the impact of climate change on Fairtrade farmers.
Our goal was to show how everyday shoppers can help farmers adapt by choosing Fairtrade products.
We also strengthened partnerships locally — especially with Gosport & Fareham Friends of the Earth (GFFOE). Together we:
- Connected with local groups tackling green issues (from food and transport to energy and nature).
- Created shared spaces to showcase their work — especially through our Great Big Green Week exhibition in the Gosport Discovery Centre.
Fairtrade Fortnight in Gosport (21 February – 4 March 2022)
Launch & Exhibition
- “Fairtrade and Climate Change” Exhibition opened on 21 February at the Gosport Discovery Centre.
- Opened by Mayor Cllr Mark Hook and Cllr Zoe Huggins, Chair of the Climate Change Board.
- GFA Chair Mark Smith and Co-ordinator Sarah Hirom welcomed local green groups and community leaders.
(Photo credit: John Millard, GBC)
Talking With Shoppers — Local Supermarkets
With GFFOE, we spoke directly to shoppers about how choosing Fairtrade helps farmers adapt to the climate crisis:
- Waitrose, Gosport — 22 Feb
- Southern Co-op, Palmyra Road (Elson) — 28 Feb (plus chocolate tasting & info stall)
- Southern Co-op, Lee-on-the-Solent — 28 Feb (discussing new Fairtrade tomatoes & grapes)
- Tesco, Alver Village Square — 3 Mar
(Photos by Mark Smith & Anne Stephenson)
Online Event — Climate Justice After COP26
- 3 March (evening): “Follow on to COP27 – Towards Climate Justice”
- Zoom event with local Fairtrade groups across SE Hampshire.
- Sarah Brazier, Campaign Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, explained how rich nations had failed to deliver promised climate funding and why lobbying MPs is essential before COP27.
Climate Café — Food & Climate Focus
- 4 March, Privett Park Pavilion
- Hosted with Incredible Edible Gosport & Love Outdoors CIC.
- GFA ran Fairtrade-themed quizzes, videos, product tastings and displays.
- The Co-op donated a hamper of Fairtrade goodies for a free raffle.
Inspiring Young People
- 4 March, Alverstoke Junior School
- GFA Chair Mark Smith judged the school’s Fairtrade competition and helped present prizes.
- The school proudly renewed its Fair Aware status.
Community Engagement Beyond Fortnight
Christian Aid Quiz Success (28 May)
GFA’s quiz team The Fair Traders returned to the annual Christian Aid Week Quiz at Bridgemary Methodist Church — and won again!
Meeting the Mayor (14 July)
A GFA delegation, joined by GFFOE, met Mayor Cllr Jamie Hutchinson to:
- Discuss maintaining Gosport’s Fairtrade Borough status.
- Encourage Fairtrade in Council procurement (e.g., uniforms with Fairtrade cotton).
- Plan Great Big Green Week and promote stronger networking between local green groups.
- Invite the Mayor to open the September exhibition.
(Photo credit: GBC)
Loss & Damage Fund Campaign (22 September)
Ahead of COP27, Fairtrade farmers called for financial support from wealthy nations to address climate impacts they did not cause.
- GFA joined Global Justice Now and Global Justice Portsmouth in a Day of Action outside Portsmouth Guildhall.
- We collected signatures for a petition urging the UK Government to support the Loss & Damage Fund at COP27.
Great Big Green Week — “Gosport Going Green”
- 23 September – Discovery Centre Launch
- Mayor Cllr Jamie Hutchinson opened the exhibition.
- Over 20 local groups showcased their green initiatives — from schools and sports clubs to businesses, libraries, and community groups.
- GFA highlighted how Fairtrade empowers farmers with secure incomes and training to farm sustainably and adapt to climate change.
- Bridgemary Library hosted a modified version of the display (3 Oct – 9 Nov).
- Great Big Green Trail — Volunteers from green groups welcomed walkers and cyclists around Gosport.
- GFFOE hosted a picnic near their hedge-planting site, where GFA provided Fairtrade cake and refreshments.
- Great Big Litter Pick — GFA members joined a community litter pick along the old railway cycle/walkway.
- MP Dame Caroline Dinenage and her husband took part.
Standing With Farmers at COP27 (6–18 November 2022)
GFA supported the Fairtrade Foundation’s Climate Justice Campaign, urging the UK Government to keep promises made at COP26.
- Shared and promoted the Community Declaration of Solidarity: “Our community cares about action on climate change…
We choose Fairtrade and we stand for climate justice.” - Invited supporters to sign the declaration, demanding fair funding for farmers living with the worst effects of the climate crisis.
Building Campaign Skills (29 November)
Several GFA members joined the Fairtrade Foundation’s Campaign Catch-Up Webinar.
- Learned effective ways to engage MPs and influence policy on fair trade and climate action.
- Heard from Holly Lynch MP (co-chair of the Fairtrade APPG) and local campaigners across the UK.
Looking Back at 2022
Despite global uncertainty, GFA:
- Educated shoppers on the climate impact of trade choices.
- Connected green groups across Gosport for Great Big Green Week.
- Pressed for climate justice — from local petitions to national lobbying ahead of COP27.
- Inspired schools and young people to think globally about sustainability and fairness.
Choosing Fairtrade is climate action — and together Gosport showed how local voices can support global change.