Sustainable trade: The case of coffee in North America.

摘要

This thesis investigates the potential of "sustainable coffee" initiatives to counter the negative impacts of conventional practices in the current context of global trade and neo-liberal policies. The analysis focuses on the situation in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Existing barriers to the penetration of fair-trade, organic and shade-grown coffees into the North American market are identified based upon participatory research. Recommendations for the further development of sustainable coffee are also provided. The relationship between government policies and community-based efforts are also explored. The latter provide the basis for the elaboration of a North American framework of actions.;Ultimately, this thesis recognizes the contribution organic, fair-trade and shade-grown coffee initiatives make in concretely addressing the negative impacts of conventional practices. It also argues that major barriers must be overcome before sustainability can become a norm for the mainstream industry.