A changing climate threatens the survival and affordability of coffee, offering yet more reasons to think about long-term, sustainable solutions.
Bad News for Coffee: Climate Change
Seda Kojoyan
Seda has received her education at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. She is determined to use her skills for the public good, especially in regards to environmental protection. Additionally a language enthusiast, she is fluent in four languages and is learning her fifth. If she was not already working in international affairs, she'd be a historian or a biologist, two subjects which she admires greatly.
Recent Posts
Tradition Vs. New Needs: Agronomists’ Role in Sustainable Coffee Production
Behind every cup of coffee there are the farmers and the agronomists tasked with cultivating the crop. Their skills and their work are of fundamental importance to the coffee industry, and some companies want to recognize the roles these people play by honoring their achievements. For instance, Nespresso, the company behind the popular coffee capsules and brewing machines, launched the AAA Sustainable Quality Program in 2003, partnering with the Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit that awards product certification for sustainable livelihood and biodiversity protection. The program employs agronomists to advise farmers on sustainable cultivation methods. In October of this year, eight farmers from around the world, accompanied by agronomists, were honoured for their exceptional achievements in the AAA programme at a week-long visit to Switzerland and to Nespresso’s headquarters.
Reaching the Sustainability Goal: Not So Fast, Not So Easy
Sustainability matters. And if you happen to be in the coffee business, it matters especially. In 2012, this market saw 40 percent of global production coming from sources that had been certified or verified for sustainability. The latest State of Sustainability Initiatives Review confirms that “the landscape of sustainable coffee has been one of rapid transformation from a niche market to a fully recognized strategic business management tool,” according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development. Yet many challenges along the way make the road to achieving sustainability a difficult one for businesses.