Ethos

Coffee sustainability initiatives are often designed as linear strategies applied in the context of a static market system. This leads to a situation whereby origins are targeted by multiple thematic intervention strategies, often disconnected from the local context and priorities.

In our view a rethink of our sustainability approach versus scaling business as usual is required. It is therefore essential to step back from your role and engage with actors outside your organization to learn and reflect on consequences of existing structures and power relations.

We need to move beyond linear thinking and focus on relevant conditions that unlock innovation opportunities for sustainability. Drawing on sustainability initiatives, collective impact programs and research, we have distilled 5 design tips to support our sustainability journey.

An authentic sustainability identity is not a marketing exercise. Rather it requires support across organizational departments and partnerships through strong communication, engagement and alignment, making ethical values an integral part of operations.

How can we encourage new forms of collaboration and innovation to ensure sustainability is an integral part of economic recovery? Now that markets are slowly re-covering, this is the ideal moment to consider different concepts to develop value chains that reward sustainability.