Planetary Welcare principles for just and sustainable futures: a compass for system change, trade reforms, and transformations

Figures & data

Figure 1. A compass for transformative change: the five Planetary WEL-C-A-R-E principles.

Note: Wel is for Well-being; C is for Consumption; A is for Accountability; R is for Rooted globalism; E is for the Environment.

Illustration: Josh Knowles, commissioned by the author.

Table 1. High-level strategy elements of the WTO and IFTC.

	WTO	ITFC
Purpose	“The primary purpose of the WTO is to open trade for the benefit of all” (WTO, n.d.-d).	“Inspire people to join and support fair trade; promote collaboration across movements; and communicate the fair trade values and approaches to governments, academia and the private sector” (IFTC 2018).
Vision	“An open trading system based on multilaterally agreed rules” (WTO, n.d.-f).	“Everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full human potential” (IFTC 2018).
Principal beneficiary	“Importers, exporters and producers of goods and services” (WTO, n.d.-f)—particularly at the nation-state level.	“Small producers, workers, artisans, farmers, and consumers” (IFTC 2018).
Objective/Goal	“The goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible” (WTO, n.d.-d). The goal of the WTO agreements is to “help producers of goods and services, exporters and importers to conduct their business, with a view to raising standards of living, while allowing governments to meet social and environmental objectives.” (WTO, n.d.-f). The text in italics was added to the WTO “who we are” web page after June 2021, alongside a new line of thinking that states “The fundamental goal of the WTO is to improve the welfare of people around the world” (WTO, n.d.-f).^8	“Empower artisans, farmers and workers to take more control over their own futures and secure outcomes based on justice for people and planet” (IFTC 2018).
Principle	Principles of the WTO trading system:^9 Trade without discrimination Free trade Predictability Fair competition Encouraging development and economic reform (WTO, n.d.-c).	Core components: “People-first” trade policies Thriving communities Ecological balance Sustainable livelihoods Food security Gender equity Inclusive economic growth Decent work (IFTC 2018)
Function	Main function: “to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.” Functions: “administering WTO trade agreements; forum for trade negotiations; handling trade disputes; monitoring national trade policies; technical assistance and training for developing countries; cooperation with other international organization.” (WTO, n.d.-d).	The IFTC explains the shared vision and values of the Global Fair Trade Movement (IFTC 2018).

Table 2. Overlap between the Planetary Welcare framework and the high-level strategies of the WTO and the IFTC.

Planetary Welcare principle	WTO’s high-level strategy	ITFC
Well-being	Yes	Yes
Consumption	Not identified (NI)	Yes
Accountability with integrity	NI	Yes
Rooted globalism	NI	Yes
Environmental stewardship	Yes	Yes

World Trade Organization (WTO). n.d.-d. “The WTO.” https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/thewto_e.htm

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International Fair Trade Charter (IFTC). 2018. The International Fair Trade Charter. https://www.fair-trade.website/the-charter-1

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World Trade Organization (WTO). n.d.-f. “The Case for Open Trade.” https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/fact3_e.htm

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World Trade Organization (WTO). n.d.-c. “Principles of the Trading System.” https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/fact2_e.htm

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