Coffee Sustainability Catalogue

LONDON, UK – The Global Coffee Platform (GCP), the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and the Sustainable Coffee Challenge have publicly launched the Coffee Sustainability Catalogue 2016.

The report, shared during the international Vision2020 workshop in London, compiles information on the sustainability initiatives of more than 80 stakeholders throughout the coffee sector.

The Catalogue sheds light on sustainability efforts currently underway, and how actors in the sector can collaborate to make coffee the world’s first fully sustainable agricultural product.

“There is undeniably an urgent need for increased coordination and alignment – which is why the Global Coffee Platform as a central convener of public and private coffee stakeholders will use the Catalogue as a tool to strengthen and develop our strategies so we see less fragmentation and overlap and more collaboration towards making coffee the first sustainable agriculture commodity before 2045,” said Annette Pensel, GCP Interim Executive Director.

Several key findings from report include:

• Across the coffee industry, more than $350 million is being invested annually in sustainability programs. Collective efforts are also enabling the industry to reach 350,000 farmers each year – a figure that has nearly doubled in the last 15 years.
• Certification is a tool commonly used to increase consumer awareness, social inclusiveness, traceability and assurance and incentives.
• The report estimates that transitioning the entire sector to sustainable production is possible, but at the current rate of investment, it would require a total investment of $4.1 billion to achieve and would take until 2045 to incorporate all coffee producers.

The goal of the organizations in assembling this information and publicly presenting it in the Coffee Sustainability Catalogue is to better understand the current state of the coffee sector and accelerate collaborative action toward future sustainable coffee initiatives.

“SCAA is proud to partner with GCP and the Sustainable Coffee Challenge on efforts which advance our shared directive toward a fully sustainable coffee sector,” said Kim Elena Ionescu, Director of Sustainability for SCAA. “The Catalogue is a true example of how our organizations, and all of our partners and members across the industry, can foster better coordination and more effective sustainability investment across the sector.”

The Coffee Sustainability Catalogue informs the work of the Sustainable Coffee Challenge – a dynamic and diverse coalition from across the coffee sector, united in the belief that it is possible to grow coffee while ensuring the prosperity and wellbeing of farmers and conserving forests, water and soils.

“We are encouraged by the findings presented in the Catalogue, but know we still have much to do in order to grow coffee in a way that meets future demand while conserving the environment and ensuring the prosperity and well-being of producing communities,” said Bambi Semroc, Senior Strategic Advisor, Center for Environmental Leadership in Business at Conservation International and lead coffee expert for the Sustainable Coffee Challenge. “Knowing where we stand in relation to our ultimate goal is a huge step in enabling us to accelerate action and build a sustainable future for coffee. We are proud to partner with GCP and SCAA to reach this milestone and look forward to future collaboration with them and the entire industry towards truly achieving the world’s first sustainable agricultural product.”

About The Sustainable Coffee Challenge

The Sustainable Coffee Challenge is a growing global network of 48 current partners from across the coffee industry. We are dedicated to ensuring that coffee is sustainable for the long term while protecting the prosperity and wellbeing of farmers and conserving forests, water and soil.

The Sustainable Coffee Challenge is managed by Conservation International with initial funding and support from founding partner Starbucks. To learn more about the challenge and our partners, go to www.sustaincoffee.org.

About GCP

The Global Coffee Platform is an inclusive multi-stakeholder sustainability platform aligning the activities of a diverse network of stakeholders to set into action the global commitments made through Vision2020 and create a thriving and sustainable coffee sector For more information, please visit www.globalcoffeeplatform.org or attend the open day of the very first Membership Assembly on 5th & 6th October, 2016 www.gcpma16.org

 About SCAA

The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), is a non-profit trade organization and the world recognized leader in coffee knowledge development. With over 12,000 members located in more than 40 countries, including member companies and their employees, SCAA members represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, including producers, roasters, importers/exporters, retailers, manufacturers, baristas and other industry professionals. For over 30 years, the SCAA has been dedicated to creating a vibrant specialty coffee community, recognizing, developing and promoting specialty coffee by setting and maintaining quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee consumption, brewing and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for its members. Visit www.scaa.org.