We Work With Nature

Climate change is putting coffee under pressure

Coffee depends on nature. And right now, nature is at risk.

Climate change is bringing more droughts, floods, pests and extreme weather to coffee-growing regions. For farmers, that means lower yields, even greater risk and growing uncertainty about the future. It's also a major reason why coffee prices have become even more volatile in recent years.

Supporting farmers to adapt

Growing coffee sustainably takes knowledge, skill and long-term investment. But when farmers aren't earning enough to support themselves and their families, investing in their farms, adapting to climate change and protecting the land they depend on becomes much harder.

That's why helping farmers earn more sustainable incomes is such an important part of building a more resilient future for coffee. Through Fairtrade and our sister organisation, Producers Direct, we support farmers with training, tools and practical advice to help them adapt to changing conditions, protect soil health, encourage biodiversity and strengthen their farms for the long term.

Working with nature

For this reason, most of the coffee we buy is organic. Healthier ecosystems help create healthier farms, helping secure the future of coffee for generations to come.

“Coffee is no longer an everyday staple, it’s becoming a luxury product threatened by climate change. The future of coffee depends on smallholder farmers being able to adapt to climate pressures through strategies like climate-resilient varieties and sustainable land management.

Coffee companies play a vital role by supporting this adaptation - with long-term partnerships, financial commitment, advisory services and training.”

— Dr Roman Gruter

“The climate is becoming more unpredictable, and we’ve noticed it every year. Climate change isn’t slowing down, so farmers have to stay one step ahead.”

— Wilfredo García Córdoba, President, Norandino Cooperative, Peru

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

We’re working towards Net Zero by 2040. Our targets are checked by the Science Based Targets initiative to make sure we’re cutting carbon in line with what climate science says is needed.

View Our Science Based Targets