Your ethical tea - Reaching over a million people
![](http://www.teadrop.co.uk/cdn/shop/articles/Untitled-1_800x800.jpg?v=1622638831)
International Tea Day was initiated by the United Nations in 2019, with the aim of recognising tea farmers and workers across the supply chain who bring us the tea leaves that go into the world’s most popular drink, after water. At ETP, this is what we do, every day: we work tirelessly to help our members address the issues in tea. However, I believe that a dedicated day to reflect on these issues is an important moment in the calendar of any tea producer, packer, retailer or consumer; the challenges are complex and widespread, requiring collaboration and investment on a huge scale if we are going to improve the lives and livelihoods of tea workers.
Globally, more than 13 million people are involved in the supply chain, and for the majority their livelihoods are almost entirely dependent upon the production of tea. The UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) estimates that nearly 60 percent of the world’s tea is produced by small scale farmers. Social inequalities, economic instability, and the threat of climate change are some of the biggest challenges facing these tea communities.
Economic instability for tea communities if often a result of the lower wages and incomes that workers and farmers earn and the context in which they live. This is often in the world’s poorest countries such as India, where nearly one million workers are employed within the tea supply chain.
Globally, the majority of tea workers and farmers are women. In Assam, India and Sri Lanka women make up nearly 50% of the tea workers yet, few manage to rise through the ranks to managerial positions.
Climate change poses a growing risk to tea communities as increasing temperatures, changes to rainfall, and deforestation impact tea growing and ultimately the livelihood of those working in tea.
At the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), we work with 50 members – made up of tea brands, retailers and suppliers from across the UK, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Together we address some of the long-term systemic challenges in tea. We run programmes in China, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Malawi, Rwanda, and Indonesia, where much of the world’s tea is produced and where millions of lives are dependent on tea; we support innovative business practices to improve outcomes for farmers and workers in tea; and, we engage with a wide network of stakeholders to inform decision-making and policy development, ensuring that tea communities are put front-and-centre of this process.
Our mission at ETP is to use the power of our partnerships to create a tea sector that is socially just and environmentally sustainable.
Our incredible partnerships have made these achievements possible. There is still a way to go, but together we are committed to driving the change that is needed to achieve a thriving tea sector.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0106/7915/6799/files/rsz_1jenny_costelloe_pic_100x100.jpg?v=1621414476)
More Readings
![Cold Brew Vs. Flash Chilled Iced Tea](http://www.teadrop.co.uk/cdn/shop/articles/main_600x600.jpg?v=1622546224)
Cold Brew Vs. Flash Chilled Iced Tea
Everyone’s heard of iced tea, but you may be wondering what flash chilled ice...
![Immune Boosting Teas for Cold and Flu Season](http://www.teadrop.co.uk/cdn/shop/articles/Photo_4-12-18_10_43_45_am_520x500_4fe188dd-faf1-4497-89ad-06bafe003dfd_600x600.jpg?v=1605525320)
Immune Boosting Teas for Cold and Flu Season
There is a good reason why tea has always been referred to as the elixir of l...
![Peppermint Chocolate Brownies](http://www.teadrop.co.uk/cdn/shop/articles/peppermint_600x600.jpg?v=1605525813)
Peppermint Chocolate Brownies
If you love our Peppermint tea and chocolate. Here's a fantastic recipe for s...
![Earl Grey Hot Chocolate](http://www.teadrop.co.uk/cdn/shop/articles/HOT-CHOCO_600x600.jpg?v=1605525165)
Earl Grey Hot Chocolate
Want to spice up a hot chocolate? Here's a fantastic recipe for a rich Earl G...
![What Tea Should I Drink? Teas to suit different times of the day](http://www.teadrop.co.uk/cdn/shop/articles/222_600x600.jpg?v=1605525733)
What Tea Should I Drink? Teas to suit different times of the day
Whilst we say 3pm time is tea time, often you find that certain teas, just li...