How to Improve Fair Trade: #5

5. Sustainable production techniques are encouraged

I am in agreement with this principle, and I am concerned that it limits the advancement toward a sustainable society.  By focusing on sustainable production one discounts the benefits that a higher standard of living can add to sustainability.  The benefits of a higher standard of living can be reached while only a limited number of sustainable production techniques are present.  And in general, people with a higher standard of living enjoy products that are produced in a more sustainable way.  Many sustainable technologies are still quite expensive to purchase, and buyers and producers have to make the decisions if these fit their personal budgets.