Lecture Description
The Latin America Coffee Carbon Footprint Baseline Study is a pre-competitive, collaborative initiative by the Sustainable Coffee Challenge that is supported by nine leading coffee roasters. Together, our goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of an aligned approach to carbon measurement in the coffee sector, with a focus on sampling strategy, data collection, and data analysis. Alongside demonstrating this aligned approach, the study aims to produce accurate and reliable carbon footprint baselines for Arabica and Robusta coffee production in five origins – Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. The study is a true industry-wide effort; it complements and builds on a similar project led by USAID Green Invest Asia, which established carbon footprint baselines for Robusta coffee production in Vietnam and Indonesia. Like the Asia study, the Latam study also relies on in-kind support from several global traders – 14 in total throughout Central and South America. During this lecture, the panelists will share the study’s results from the phase one countries, Brazil and Colombia, and the successes and challenges to date in bringing together a multi-stakeholder coalition to meet a common goal.
Learning Objective:
Attendees will be able to have first-time access to the results of the study for Brazil and Colombia, with insight into the coffee carbon footprint of these countries as well as the main source of emissions.
Attendees will assess the feasibility of a common, aligned approach to carbon footprint measurement throughout the sector, including a look at sampling techniques, data collection, and data analysis.
Attendees will explore the avenues for ongoing climate action and investment in carbon reduction, based on the data presented, and will look at the relevance of the data when it comes to ongoing climate reporting.
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 2:00- 3:00 PM
Location: Lecture Room V
This lecture is free to attend with a World of Coffee entry badge. Register to attend World of Coffee Geneva here.
Lecturers / Presenters
Nora Burkey
Project Lead - Latin America Coffee Carbon Footprint Baseline Study, Sustainable Coffee Challenge
Alongside other roles in coffee, Nora Burkey serves as the Project Lead for the Latin America Coffee Carbon Footprint Baseline Study on behalf of Sustainable Coffee Challenge. The study aims to establish carbon footprint baselines for coffee production in five origins in Latin America, and support the development of a common framework for carbon footprint sampling, data collection, data analysis, and data use. This project builds on Nora's previous experience consulting for other organizations in the coffee, climate, and carbon space, including The Nature Conservancy, Fairtrade International, and Cooperative Coffees, among others.