Sustainable Business Toolkit

The Environmental Impact of Coffee Production: What’s Your Coffee Costing The Planet?

environmental impact of the coffee trade

Coffee. It’s the beverage that many of us rely on to galvanize us into action in the morning. In today’s world, it’s ubiquitous.

But coffee is so much more than just a drink, it is a multibillion-dollar global industry.

We are all aware of fair trade coffee, but have you ever stopped to think about the impact the world’s favorite beverage has on our planet?

Given that most coffee-growing regions are also home to some of the most delicate ecosystems on earth, the potential for serious damage is great due to the high levels of coffee consumption.

Table of Contents
Environmental Impact of the Coffee Trade
Traditional Methods of Growing Coffee
Sun-Grown Coffee
Deforestation
Water Pollution and Contamination
Agrochemical Usage
Waste
Soil quality
A Sustainable Alternative? Shade-Grown Coffee
Where Can I Buy Shade-Grown Coffee?
Additional Resources: Books About the Environmental Impact of the Coffee Trade

Environmental Impact of the Coffee Trade

The global coffee industry is a vast and intricate network that spans the entire globe, involving the production, processing, trading, and consumption of coffee. With a staggering market value exceeding $468 billion, the coffee industry stands as one of the most influential sectors worldwide. This industry thrives on the demand for high-quality coffee beans, cultivated in over 70 countries.

Leading the charge in coffee production are Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia, collectively responsible for over 75% of the world’s coffee production. These countries’ contributions underscore the global coffee industry’s significance and its far-reaching impact on economies and communities.

Traditional Methods of Growing Coffee

Coffee is typically cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas at high elevations and naturally grows under a shaded canopy of trees.

Traditional Coffee Production

Traditional coffee growing techniques contribute to high biodiversity levels, thus creating a “working landscape” where farmers can grow coffee and make a living while contributing to conservation efforts through shade grown coffee plantations.

Traditional Coffee Growing Techniques

The shelter from canopies also provides a valuable habitat for indigenous animals, as well as preventing topsoil erosion and removing the need for chemical fertilizers.

Moving on From Traditional Growing Methods

However, due to increased market demand, farmers have moved on from traditional coffee farms and turned to sun-grown cultivation techniques instead.

Sun-Grown Coffee

Originating in the 1970s, sun-grown coffee is produced on plantations where trees are cleared so that coffee cultivation occurs in rows in direct sunlight.

Sun Grown Coffee

According to research, sun-grown coffee creates the highest yield, but eliminates the diversity of plants which support an array of insects and animals. This negatively impacts the biodiversity of the region and causes other environmental harms.

Sun grown coffee produces short-term results but harms the environment in the long run.

Deforestation

The switch to sun-grown coffee has resulted in over 2.5 million acres of forest cleared in Central America. Permanently removing trees for something else is called “deforestation”.

Deforestation is serious. Tropical forests are critical in protecting atmospheric dynamics, water quality, and wildlife species.

Coffee Production - Deforestation

For instance, a lot of migratory birds spend the winter in the Latin America’s tropical forests. When trees are cleared away the birds have no were to go and the biodiversity suffers. Less carbon is sequestered which contributes to climate change and impacts the growth of the coffee plant.

It also impacts other sustainability attributes such as food security and pest control.

Expanding the Environmental Toll of Coffee Production

Coffee consumption continues to rise, yet its production poses a significant environmental impact on some of the world’s most delicate ecosystems. As the second most traded commodity, coffee’s expansion into coffee-growing areas has led to widespread soil degradation and habitat loss.

As demand surges, vast tracts of agricultural land are cleared for coffee plantations, accelerating environmental degradation. One of the most pressing concerns is soil erosion, particularly in regions where coffee crops replace natural forests. The removal of shade trees weakens soil health, reducing soil organic matter losses and disrupting maintaining soil fertility.

In tropical soils, sun-grown coffee plantations lack the biodiversity conservation seen in shade-grown systems. This weakens coffee agrosystems, making farms more vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

Key Environmental Concerns:

  • Climate change on coffee is increasing coffee leaf rust outbreaks, threatening coffee-producing countries.
  • Poor agricultural practices contribute to declining global production and worsening crop quality.
  • Coffee farming adds carbon dioxide emissions through deforestation, processing, and transportation, raising the industry’s carbon footprint.
  • Air pollution and waste from billions of non-recyclable coffee cups further damage the environment.

Encouraging reusable cups can help reduce waste, while sustainable farming methods offer several ecological services such as erosion prevention, biodiversity conservation, and air pollution reduction.

By supporting responsible coffee growers and promoting regenerative practices, we can help secure a more sustainable future for one of the world’s most beloved beverages.

Water Pollution and Contamination

Contamination of waterways also poses serious environmental threats from the processing of coffee beans. Discharges from coffee processing plants represent a major source of river pollution.

Ecological impacts result from the discharge of organic pollutants from the processing plants to rivers and waterways, triggering eutrophication of water systems and robbing aquatic plants and wildlife of essential oxygen. Additionally, the processing of coffee beans contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating the environmental impact.

Agrochemical Usage

Traditional coffee relies on much lower chemical inputs than industrial plantations due to the other plants reducing the susceptibility to pests.

On the contrary, sun-grown coffee often employs intensive pesticides and chemicals that present serious health and ecological concerns.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) carried out a study that reported extensive human exposure to pesticides in Latin America and elsewhere in the developing world. The heavy synthetic fertilizer inputs contribute to increasing contamination of waterways and aquifers. In contrast, organic coffee farming practices avoid the use of synthetic chemicals, reducing environmental and health risks.

Waste

Unsurprisingly, there is also an enormous amount of waste produced during the manufacturing of coffee.

Coffee plants grow cherries where the beans are housed. The coffee cherries are picked, depulped (i.e., the outer pulp is removed from the cherry), fermented, and the coffee bean is left.

Coffee Cherries

According to research, the process of separating the the beans from the coffee cherries generates enormous volumes of waste material in the form of pulp, residual matter, and parchment.

In fact, over a 6 month period, it was estimated that processing 547,000 tons of coffee in Central America generated as much as 1.1 million tons of pulp and polluted 110,000 cubic meters of water each day. This excess waste harms soil and water sources because the coffee pulp is often dumped into streams, severely degrading fragile systems. This waste is a significant issue throughout the coffee supply chain, from production to processing and distribution.

Fortunately, people have found better uses for the waste from coffee production. This includes composting coffee husks mixed with farm animal manure to use as organic fertilizer in farming practices.

Soil quality

The environmental impact of the coffee trade impacts the Earth’s soil as well. Soil quality suffers when sun-grown practices are favored over traditional growing means. The elimination of shade cover can cause significant impacts on various soil quality parameters, with higher rates of erosion occurring on renovated coffee plantations where vegetation has been reduced, affecting the livelihoods of local farmers.

Climate Change and Coffee Production

Climate change poses a formidable threat to coffee production across the globe. The rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events are all taking a toll on coffee yields, quality, and sustainability.

Coffee plants are particularly sensitive to temperature and moisture variations, and even minor climate changes can have profound effects on coffee production.

Moreover, climate change is altering the distribution and prevalence of pests and diseases that afflict coffee plants, compounding the challenges faced by coffee producers. As the climate continues to evolve, the global coffee industry must adapt to ensure the future of coffee farming remains viable.

Coffee Beans: From Harvest to Trade

The journey of coffee beans from harvest to trade is a complex and multifaceted process that lies at the heart of the coffee industry. Coffee beans are typically harvested from coffee plants between May and October, depending on the region and variety.

Once harvested, the beans undergo a series of processing steps, including pulping, fermenting, and drying, to remove the outer skin and pulp. This meticulous process ensures that the beans are ready for the global market.

The majority of these beans are then exported to major coffee-consuming countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan, where they are transformed into the beloved beverage enjoyed by millions.

A Sustainable Alternative? Shade-Grown Coffee Plantations

An environmentally favored alternative to sun-grown coffee is shade-grown coffee. In this method, coffee plants are interspersed beneath a canopy of mature trees, mimicking the way coffee grows naturally in these regions. Shade-grown methods are particularly beneficial for arabica coffee, which is more sensitive to climate variations and thrives under shaded conditions.

According to the American Birding Association (ABA), shade coffee plantations are second only to undisturbed forests as the best habitat for birds and other fauna in Latin America. Additionally, the birds control the insects allowing for higher yields.

What’s more, the presence of vegetation amongst coffee plants reduces the need for intense herbicide preparations, supports at least 50% of the original forest snakes and spider fauna, and protects topsoil effectively.

The Role of Certification in Sustainable Coffee Production

Certification plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable coffee production, ensuring that coffee is produced in an environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable manner.

Programs such as Fairtrade, Organic, and Rainforest Alliance provide a framework for coffee producers to adopt sustainable practices and meet specific standards. These certifications not only help reduce the environmental impact of coffee production but also improve the livelihoods of coffee producers.

For consumers, certification programs offer a way to make informed choices about the coffee they purchase, supporting sustainable coffee systems. By fostering sustainable coffee production, certification programs contribute to a more equitable and just global coffee trade.

Environmental Impact of the Coffee Trade: Sun-Grown Coffee vs. Shade-Grown Coffee

Source: Dean's Beans

Where Can I Buy Shade-Grown Coffee?

Fortunately, you don’t have to go far to find high-quality shade-grown coffee. Shade-grown coffee can be purchased by the bag online. For example, Volcanica coffee is a highly-rated choice.

Volcanica Costa Rican Shade Grown Coffee

Volcanica Shade Grown Coffee

Volcanica is a family run business. Their coffee comes from a single origin in Costa Rica and is grown at an very high altitude. This commitment to quality makes for a smooth cup of coffee that is sourced in a sustainable way.

Most importantly, Volcanica’s products carry the official seals shown below.

Volcanica Certified Coffee Seals: Fair Trade, Organic and Shade Grown

These seals prove that the company has met the Fair Trade Alliance and Rain Forest Alliance’s requirements and is officially certified.

Are you looking for sustainable coffee brands?

There are tons of fair trade shade grown coffee options available on Amazon. 

Check It Out!

The environmental impact of the coffee trade is significant, but consumers can do their part by buying environmentally friendly and responsibly sourced coffee. Although it can be more expensive than other  forms of coffee, the quality and piece of mind you gain are well worth it.

By choosing shade-grown coffee, consumers can reduce the environmental impact of the coffee consumed.

Additional Resources: Books About the Environmental Impact of the Global Coffee Trade

If you are interested in learning more about the history of the coffee industry as well as how it relates to sustainability and social justice then check out these popular books.

These books provide insights into the challenges and opportunities within the world's coffee production and its environmental impact.

Brewing Justice - Fair Trade Coffee, Sustainability and Survival by Daniel Jaffee

Brewing Justice - The Environmental Impact of the Coffee Trade Book Cover

Uncommon Grounds - The History of Coffee and How it Transformed our World by Mark Pendergrast

Uncommon Grounds - Book Cover

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About the Author Victoria Moore

Victoria Moore holds a first class honours in Geography and an M.Sc. in Environmental Governance from Manchester University. She has worked as a geography tutor and recently returned from a six month journey through Asia. Victoria is passionate about the environmental movement and aspires to have a positive impact on the planet through her work and play!

20 comments
Sarah Pritchard says January 11, 2014

Hi Victoria,

Interesting post. I’m currently doing a project on the Life Cycle Appraisal of Nestle Instant coffee and the impact the product and the company has had on the environment. Do you have any recommendations on any articles which would help in calculating the carbon footprint of Nestle coffee at any of it’s LCA stages?

Thanks!

    Mark Whitman says January 12, 2014

    Hi Sarah,
    I will pass on your message to Victoria, but to answer your questions. Your best bet is to look at the Carbon Trust’s LCA / product Carbon Footprinting tool and standard. Here’s the link. http://www.carbontrust.com/software#footprintexpert
    Best,
    Mark

    Simon says July 23, 2017

    Cool

Kathy Clarkson says November 9, 2014

Hi Victoria,
I am doing a research project on Coffee, and it’s impacts around the world. Perhaps, you could recommend any particular websites. Including information, relating to my topic.
Thanks! I appreciate it!

    Giorgia Bernasconi says March 15, 2016

    Hi Kathy, i’m a swiss student and i’m doing research on the environmental impact of coffee too!
    would you in share some information with me? i would really appreciate it!
    Thank you 🙂

    Giorgia

Dylan Trevarthen says March 1, 2016

thanks for all the information, this was one of the most useful websites for information for my geography assignment

Leslie says October 23, 2016

Hi, I was wondering if I can get some help. I really want to use the information from this article and I need to cite it, but I cannot find the date that this article came out?

    Mark Whitman says October 28, 2016

    Hi Leslie, the article was published in 2013. All the best!

Jianne says February 21, 2017

Hi Victoria ,
thank you for this article it really helped with my assignment!

Beth A Borchers says April 19, 2017

Hi Victoria, a most informative, well written article. I am currently writing a book on how little choices can have a huge impact on the environment. Your article was extremely helpful. While I can’t go into all the detail you did I must present the importance of making informed choices when it comes to this popular morning brew.
Thanks again………

Ritika says June 1, 2017

I too am doing a project and it is highly beneficial for my project. …I hope it would do the same for everyone

chelsy says June 27, 2017

hi victoria,
i am doing a project at school about child labour coffee and what impact it has on our enviroment, do you have any suggestions on what i should add into my report? cheers
chelsy

Sara says January 25, 2018

There is a small coffee company in Canada that is addressing deforestation and waste in a progressive way – they have invented and produced the worlds FIRST solar powered coffee bean drying oven, in Honduras, used to DRY the coffee beans after harvesting. (Few people realize that coffee beans have to be dehydrated to reduce the moisture content before the green beans are shipped north, to American markets, for roasting and distribution. Many farmers in rural areas are forced to clear cut forest in order to fuel the fire to their beans, but the ‘Cafe Solar’ product, produced by a women run cooperative in Honduras, uses a giant solar oven to do this!! And at night, to keep the oven working, they use a special bio-fuel developed from the coffee husks themselves. Further, the farms that supply this cooperative are part of the IOC protocol – integrated open canopy. This is a new designation that is even BETTER than shade grown. Farmers located in a special land corridor through central america are encouraged to devote 50% of their land to reforestation/natural habitat, and 50% to coffee farming. In doing so, the land is left completely alone along key migratory routes for birds and animals, and the farmers are paid a carbon credit – a guaranteed income to their family.

The entire process is not only sustainable – it is replenishing to the earth and its resources. It is remarkably innovative. Check out the Merchants of Green Coffee Company in Toronto, Ontario. One of a kind!! Truly.

    connor says says June 6, 2019

    lol

11 Things That Are Bad For The Environment That You Do Every Day – Ketepaultals – Blog,News,Business,Health says April 13, 2018

[…] Ah, the daily nectar from the gods. I’m a coffee lover, and the mere idea of giving up my morning (and noon, and 3 p.m., and 8 p.m….) cup of joe gives me heart palpitations that totally aren’t related to caffeine, I swear. But unfortunately, the coffee trade isn’t easy on the Earth — Sustainable Business Toolkit reports that not only does the coffee trade cause deforestation, but the process of turning coffee cherries into ready-to-go ground coffee results in a lot of waste. […]

Anne Morrissey says May 24, 2018

We live next door to a large coffee roaster who roast 5 Days a week. They roast on site for their coffee shop + 2 other coffee shops that they own + they wholesale on line & sell roasted beans at their shops, this is a lot of roasting. The emissions we believe are posing health risks to us i.e. chaff & the acrid smell & unbelievably they have coffee drinking patrons sitting right next to the roaster while in operation. Hundreds of hession bags full of green beans are stored between the drinking area & the rest room, surely this is a health problem.
What are your thoughts?

Kelsey says August 23, 2018

Hi,
I found this article helpful for an assignment I was doing wine and grape production and found nothing so I considered reading up and tea and coffee to see if I could find something to do my task on instead, before I make a descisin to change does anyone have links of the environmental impacts of the production of wine and grapes.

Thank you,
Kelsey

dicklon fridget says June 6, 2019

i like this, very fun to read, good info 😉

Nina Weigert says April 16, 2021

Hi everyone,

I work for a TV production company in Germany. Currently we are producing a piece on sustainable coffee in comparison to conventional coffee and the impacts it has on the water- and CO2-footprint of each cup.

During my research, I stumbled upon this article. Very great, thanks a lot!

I was wondering whether I could get some additional information or studies to look for to answer these questions:

How much water can be saved when the coffeeplants are shade-grown in comparison to coffee which is irrigated additionally or sun-grown?

Does it affect the water footprint when the coffee is certified (e.g. Rainforest Alliance, EU Organic ..)? If it shrinks, why and by how much?

Thank you very much in advance.

Have a great weekend!

Comments are closed

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