Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosts Scott Breen and Jay Siegel explore a new topic each episode with the help of an expert in the field. Each concept falls into one of seven sectors — Energy, Cities, Natural Environment, Transportation, Business, Policy, and Social — and is visually represented in a Sustainability Tree found at www.sustainabilitydefined.com.
In this episode of Hot Commodities, we’re diving into the sweet, and often bitter world of sugar.
From sprawling sugarcane fields to the products lining our grocery store shelves, sugar is one of the most globally traded commodities, deeply embedded in our food systems and daily lives. But behind its ubiquity lies a complex supply chain shaped by labor challenges, environmental pressures, and growing calls for transparency.
In this episode of the Hot Commodities series, Cecilia and Nethra unpack the history and global footprint of sugar production, exploring how issues like water use, land intensity, and labor conditions continue to shape the industry today. Then, they sit down with a representative from Fairtrade America to discuss how certification programs are working to improve wages, empower farmers, and create more equitable and sustainable supply chains.
Can choosing fair trade sugar actually drive meaningful change? And what responsibility do companies, and consumers, have in reshaping this industry?
Tune in for a conversation that goes beyond the sweet surface to uncover the true cost of sugar.