In a recently released report titled “Life Cycle Assessment Cut Roses,” Fairtrade roses from Kenya have emerged as environmentally superior to their Dutch counterparts, even after accounting for the transport to Europe.
The study, commissioned by Fairtrade Max Havelaar Switzerland and the Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund (MGB), delved into the three crucial stages of production, packaging, and transport of roses to Switzerland. It found that Fairtrade cut roses from Kenya, whether transported by air or sea, exhibit a lower impact across key environmental indicators, including cumulative energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions, and freshwater eutrophication.
For Dutch roses, the primary environmental concerns stem from cumulative energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, attributed to the need for greenhouse lighting and heating in the Netherlands, a necessity absent in Kenya. Notably, the cumulative energy demand for Kenyan roses transported by ship is 22 times lower than that of conventional Dutch roses, while the energy footprint for Kenyan roses transported by air is 6.4 times lower than for Dutch roses.
Although air transport has the greatest impact on greenhouse gas emissions for Fairtrade Kenyan roses, the emissions are still 2.9 times lower than those for Dutch roses. When shipped, the difference widens to 21 times lower for Fairtrade Kenyan roses.
In Kenya, where 48 Fairtrade-certified flower and plant producer organizations employ over 38,000 workers, the production of approximately 2.6 billion stems per year follows sustainable practices.
The report suggests that reducing packaging could further enhance the environmental footprint of Kenyan roses. While the study acknowledges an increase in pesticide use for Kenyan roses compared to Dutch roses, other key environmental factors, including water use, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, and biodiversity loss, showcase the superior sustainability of Fairtrade Kenyan roses.
With the flower industry being a significant Fairtrade product, popular especially during events like Valentine’s Day, the report highlights the positive impact of Fairtrade roses, with consumers purchasing around one billion Fairtrade flower stems and young plants annually. Workers in 2022 earned over €7.5 million in Fairtrade Premium, contributing to the betterment of their lives and communities.