In this Fairtrade 30th special, John Steel talks with Cathryn Higgs from the Co-op, Bob Doherty from the University of York, and Silvia Herrera from Mexico’s Ejidos San Fernando coffee cooperative.

They discuss the future of our food, how ethical sourcing is shifting, and why a fair food system is the only way forward.

Sahil Kher, Good Law Project; Zack Polanski, Deputy Leader of the Green Party; Becky Annison, Chancery Lane Project; Mhairi Littlewood, Better Business Act

Our panel of expert guests reveal the how the Government and the law can tackle the climate crisis with business. Sahil gives his insights on why Good Law Project won a landmark victory against the Government’s unlawfully inadequate Net Zero strategy. Becky and Mhairi explain how changes to business law and contracts would provide a level playing field for companies to operate in a greener way. Zack explains the fundamental role Government needs to play in society to facilitate our climate goals.

For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

Martin Ndegwa, Mutira Coffee Farmers Association; Emily Pearce, Co-op & Hans Perk, Okiocredit

“Everyone needs to come onboard, and we fight this giant that is called climate change.”

We risk losing our food supply if we don't take global collective action together with farmers, says Martin from Fairtrade Kenyan coffee cooperative, Mutira Coffee Farmers Association.

This Fairtrade Fortnight special podcast features Martin's first-hand experience of climate change, and the Co-op supermarket's initiatives to combat it. We hear from Oikocredit who explain why food can only be secured if farmers receive stable, high prices and agriculture is invested in.

For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

Helen Bird, Business Lead Head, WRAP; Lucy Reynolds, CSR Communications VP, Boots; Lee Man, Head of Community Fairtrade and Regenerative Sourcing, The Body Shop.

How can we move towards a sustainable use of plastic? Plastic plays a big part in our daily lives, but its detrimental effect on the environment regularly makes the headlines. Our guests share how this is being tackled by business alongside NGOs such as WRAP, and what we can do to help.

For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

Alex Maitland, Oxfam International; James Ghaffari, B Lab & Lebi Hudson, General Manager of RSTGA cooperative in Tanzania + Cafédirect Director

Good business governance means its stakeholders - like staff, the environment and farmers - are considered in company decisions. In this episode we talk about why this leads to real positive change – and how this had led to the criticism of Nespresso becoming a B Corp.

For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

Dorothy Shaver, Global Food Sustainability Director Unilever; Nick Hoskyns, Peanut & sesame farmer & ETICO Director; + Beatrix Richards Senior Corporate Engagement Manager, Solidaridad

Despite small-scale farmers contributing a third of the global food supply, their work is often undervalued and under paid. Our three guests explain the failings of a commodity market which leaves farmers very often living in poverty. They discuss the tactics needed to improve livelihoods on the ground but also the system change required for a fair and equitable trade transformation.

For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

Sarah Wakefield, Head of Food Transformation, WWF-UK & Steven Ripley, Group Responsible Sourcing Manager (Forests), Tesco

Did you know the food we eat is the main driver of deforestation? We hear from WWF and Tesco about why preserving our precious forests is vital to our existence. Find out what’s being done to preserve them, and how we can all help.

For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford Organic & Sam Fulton, Group Director of Corporate Affairs, Nomad Foods (Birds Eye)

“Our food system accounts for 50% plus of biodiversity loss and 25% of climate change.”

Guy and Sam unpick how our food system urgently needs to change. Hear how big agriculture has produced cheap food on mass but now 'threatens life on earth'. Learn what companies are doing to protect our future, but importantly, what more can be done.

For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

Mike Barry, Director of Mike Barry Eco Ltd (former Director of Sustainable Business at Marks & Spencer)

Mike Berners-Lee, author of ‘There is No Planet B’, ‘How Bad Are Bananas?’ and ‘The carbon footprint of everything’, professor and consultant.

“The food industry is a huge part of the climate problem.” With predictions of dangerous global temperatures and failing government policies, two leading experts discuss how food businesses are tackling carbon emissions. They debate where obstacles lie, who should provide support, and how.

For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

Guests: Jane Aldrige Managing Director of Coffee Nestlé UK&I + Erinch Sahan, Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL)

Jane and Erinch discuss their different approaches to tackling the issues facing the coffee industry. Jane provides an overview of the Nescafé Plan 2030 while Erinch argues that more significant change is needed to address the poverty that coffee farmers experience despite growing company profits and shareholder dividends.

For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast