WELCOME THE CIRCULAR SUPPLY CHAIN NEW TECHNOLOGIES CAN HELP REDUCE FINANCIAL INEQUALITY Individuals, communities, governments, and enterprises around One contributing factor is that current supply chain models the world have taken a heightened interest in sustainable may lack the trust and transparency that are essential to production and the sustainability of their environments. More creating an inclusive economy that promotes social equality, than 90 percent of CEOs state that sustainability is important to mitigates risks, reduces waste, and improves society’s long- their company’s success and 66 percent of global consumers term health and environmental well-being. say they would pay more for sustainable brands. Green trade, which includes things like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and manufacturing, and low-carbon transportation, is rising in political and economic importance, and is projected A small-scale farmer to be valued at well over US$2 trillion per year by 2020. produces about While interest has grown and impactful steps have been taken, 500 pounds of Fair much more remains to be done to address enormous waste, mismanagement, and misalignment of resources and the Trade organic coffee financial inequality among participants in supply chains. All too often small producers at the beginning of the supply chain who a year and gets around $1.30 follow or want to follow sustainable practices receive a mere a pound, or $700 a year, for sliver of the economic pie that sustainable goods yield while retailers at the opposite end reap the biggest. coffee that can retail in the US Consumers who want to buy responsibly are often at a for $20 per pound. disadvantage, unable to see or influence an economic model that exacerbates income inequalities. CONTENTS 33