The no Dirty Gold Campaign has cajoled some of the top jewellery retailers into pledging to move away form “dirty” gold sales whilst campaigners are calling for oil giant Total to pull out of Burma. Fairtrade Fortnight took place from 6-19 March to encourage businesses and consumers to sell or buy Fairtrade products.
No Dirty Gold
The No Dirty Gold campaign, supported by Oxfam America, has cajoled eight of the world’s top jewellery retailers including Tiffany & Co and Van Cleef & Arpels into pledging to move away from “dirty” gold sales. Growing concerns over environmental and human rights abuses and corruption within the gold mining industry have prompted retailers to worry about their brand reputations and spurred consumers to question the source of their gold purchases. The retailers are calling on mining corporations to ensure that gold is produced in more socially and environmentally responsible ways. www.nodirtygold.org
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight 2006 took place from 6-19 March. The Fairtrade Foundation’s annual promotional campaign aims to encourage businesses who have so far not used or sold Fairtrade products to become involved. It also aims to raise awareness of how small changes in shopping habits can make a real difference to poverty and encourages consumers to look for the Fairtrade mark across more product categories including fresh fruit, wine and honey. www.fairtrade.org.uk
TOTAL Recall
Campaigners in 15 countries are calling for oil giant TOTAL to pull out of Burma, alleging that the company is providing the country’s military regime with financial and political support. Burma Campaign UK adds that the company’s reputation is being damaged by its close relationship with the brutal dictatorship. www.burmacampaign.org.uk
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