illycaffè: What is the Impact of Climate Change on Coffee?

As the world's second most traded commodity, coffee plays a significant role in global economies and ecosystems. 

However, its production comes with substantial environmental costs including deforestation, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. 

The industry's growth over the past 30 years has exacerbated these issues, threatening biodiversity and farmer livelihoods.

In response, the companies behind your cappuccino are pioneering sustainable practices, such as shade-grown cultivation and carbon-neutral initiatives. 

David Brussa is driving sustainable innovation at illycaffè as Chief Total Quality and Sustainability Officer – he shares his insights with Sustainability Magazine.

Please introduce yourself and your role

At illycaffè, I hold the position of Chief Total Quality and Sustainability Officer, reporting directly to the CEO. 

My responsibilities encompass the management and development of all projects related to environmental, social and economic sustainability within our company. This role requires specialised technical skills and project management abilities across the organisation. I am tasked with overseeing initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2033. 

The Total Quality and Sustainability Unit leads and oversees the total quality system for the company’s services and products. 

Our goal is to create a competitive advantage through qualitative leadership in the products offered to clients and consumers while adhering to voluntary and relevant norms. 

We strive to balance efficacy and efficiency across our operations, from the development of products and services to in-house and outsourced production, as well as post-sales activities. 

Please introduce illy and its sustainability goals

illycaffè is an Italian family-owned company, founded in Trieste in 1933, which has always set itself the mission of offering the best coffee to the world. It produces a unique 100% Arabica blend composed of 9 different ingredients.

The company selects only 1% of the best Arabica beans. Every day more than 10 million cups of illy coffee are served in over 140 countries around the globe, in the cafés, restaurants and hotels, in single-brand cafés and shops, at home and in the office, in which the company is present through subsidiaries and distributors.

Since its foundation, illycaffè has oriented its strategies towards a sustainable business model, a commitment that it strengthened in 2019 by adopting the status of Benefit Company. 

In 2021, illycaffè became the first Italian coffee company to obtain the international B Corp certification, confirming the choice to continue to grow by promoting a different way of doing business, based on a strategy oriented towards the common good.

There are three areas of intervention incorporated into the statute on which we focus:

• The first is that of the responsible value chain and sustainable agriculture which is achieved through the analysis and improvement of impacts along the coffee supply chain, field research and knowledge transfer, as well as support for integrated agriculture to preserve and improve the sustainable quality of coffee
• The second is linked to the quality of life, which is pursued through the principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability and also by fostering global partnerships aimed at this goal
• The third concerns the circular economy for the benefit of the planet, which involves improving energy efficiency and resource consumption to progressively reduce emissions along the supply chain.

How is climate change impacting coffee?

Most studies find negative effects of climate change on yields and indirect effects on the spread of diseases, insects, etc. There can also be negative effects on the organoleptic and chemical quality of coffee. 

However, some studies also highlight a positive effect, due to the increase in CO₂ levels that could have a "fertilising" effect on coffee plants (especially in Brazil), which would partly offset the negative effects of rising temperatures and drought.

The existing bibliography reports a trend of decreasing coffee yield on all continents, with significant losses especially in Central and South America. Research shows an overall change in the suitability of current coffee-growing areas, with a trend of decreasing suitable areas. 

Some major coffee-producing nations, including Brazil, Vietnam, Honduras and India, will see a significant decrease in the number of hectares suitable for cultivation. However, there are some areas that will become more suitable (such as some areas of South America, East and Central Africa and Asia). 

On the disease and pest front, the distribution of coffee berry borer and white stem borer is expected to increase (especially in India and Asia). There are also projections of an increase in nematode and Bicho Mineiro (leaf embroiderer) problems in Brazil. 

Climate change affects the quality of coffee and the socio-economic conditions of producers, with negative effects on the production of high-quality coffee and an increase in financial and planning costs due to the increase in risks related to cultivation. 

Some articles also point to a possible problem related to aflatoxins (and a decrease in ochratoxins) in the next 50 years.

Published research shows that the number of extreme weather events increased in each growing region between 1980 and 2020, especially in the last decade.

illycaffè has long been committed to mitigating the effects of climate change throughout the entire supply chain, starting with coffee cultivation, for which it promotes the sustainable model of regenerative agriculture. This model allows for proper nourishment of the plants, naturally regenerating the soil, and thus reducing CO₂ emissions. 

Additionally, this type of cultivation allows for an improvement in the health of the ecosystem thanks to the increased biodiversity of the species used for ground cover and soil dynamics.

How can regenerative agriculture support the future of sustainable coffee?

In the Cerrado Mineiro region, illycaffè has collaborated with local producers for over thirty years. The Arabica Selection Brazil coffee uses regenerative practices certified by regenagri, an international standard providing certification for materials from farms certified according to its standards, covering the entire supply chain from initial processing to final product. Currently, illycaffè is the first coffee brand certified by regenagri.

Arabica Selection Cerrado Mineiro Brazil is the first 100% Arabica coffee from certified regenerative agriculture. 

Benefits observed include the improving soil fertility where organic fertilisers (compost) ensure proper nutrition for plants and increased biodiversity, which means that beneficial microorganisms combat harmful insects and fungi naturally. Cover plants reduce soil temperatures and act as hosts for insect antagonists and harmful fungi. 

What is the future of sustainable coffee at illycaffè?

The crisis we face requires us to develop a regenerative economy. We have 10 years to address and take concrete action in these three deeply interconnected areas, toward a Regenerative Company.

We envision a global economy in which enterprises and all other actors are a positive force that regenerates humans, society, and the biosphere. Businesses measure their impact and create value for all stakeholders, understanding that we together are responsible for future generations. 

Climate crisis is the main threat to our common future. The world must reach net zero GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions by 2050 at the latest. We hereby commit to shift our business models towards a decarbonisation path that will promote a new inclusive and prosperous economy. The pursuit of happiness in its deepest meaning of self-realisation, altruism, individual & social well-being, is the ultimate life goal and the new frontier of sustainability. Policy makers, private & public organisations and spiritual leaders should commit to achieve happiness as the real measure of human progress.

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