Written by: Gabriella Godlewski
While most people are aware of the individual financial costs attributed to the purchase of a cup of coffee each day, many are not aware of the environmental costs of doing so. It is estimated that every cup of coffee consumed destroys roughly one square inch of rainforest, making coffee production a leading cause of rainforest destruction worldwide.[1] Rainforest destruction causes devastating environmental effects such as chemical runoff polluting rivers, loss of habitats for wildlife, extinction of species, and the unbalancing of the ecosystem.[2] Today, only six percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by rainforests.[3] However, this remaining land could be destroyed within the next forty years for agricultural and industrial purposes, including the growing and production of coffee beans.[4]
The Coffee Production Method
The biggest source of environmental damage where coffee is concerned comes during the production of the bean itself.[5] Traditionally, coffee beans were cultivated under shaded canopies of trees in tropical areas with high elevations.[6] These conditions provide habitat and shelter for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, and remove the need for chemical fertilizers.[7] However, the emerging method to produce coffee beans more efficiently and in greater quantities is by a process called “sun cultivation.”[8] Sun-grown coffee requires deforestation, or the permanent removal of trees, which negatively impacts the biodiversity of the land and the species living on it.[9] Additionally, sun cultivation requires significantly more water, fertilizer, and pesticides and disallows farmers from diversification in their crops.[10]
A More Sustainable Production Method
Given the vast amount of coffee consumed each day, the demand for coffee production is not going to slow anytime soon, which means that the threat to the environment will not either. As such, environmentalists, scientists, and coffee production companies must look for more sustainable ways to produce the bean.[11] Environmentalists favor the traditional method in which coffee beans grow in nature, shaded beneath a canopy of forested trees.[12] The American Birding Association recommends coffee producers grow coffee beans on shaded coffee plantations, which provides safe and fitting habitats for wildlife, requires less fertilizer and pesticides, and sustains a healthy ecosystem.[13]
Alternatively, scientists in Finland are attempting to create a sustainable lap-grown alternative for producing coffee.[14] The team of scientists believes this coffee would avoid many of the devastating environmental pitfalls associated with the production of coffee, while still tasting good.[15] However, the team also predicts that their lab-grown coffee grinds will likely not see retail shelves for years, as they would first need regulatory approval and commercial support.[16]
Additionally, some coffee production companies understand and prioritize sustainable production of coffee beans. Brands including Larry’s Coffee, Café Mam, Ethical Bean, Higher Ground Coffee, and Conscious Coffees are some ethically sourced coffee options that are shade grown and eco-friendly.[17] Even Starbucks has made a public commitment to the environment to “take less and give more to the planet in every aspect of its business – including coffee.”[18] However, Starbucks currently continues to produce beans using the sun cultivation method.[19] As consumers, we should not only make purchasing decisions according to the financial cost per cup of coffee but must also consider the environmental cost of our morning brew.
Claims for Illegal Deforestation in Coffee Supply Chains
It is estimated that half of all tropical deforestation globally is illegal.[20] The World Wildlife Fund (“WWF”) investigated and reported the following findings on deforestation and its impacts on Indonesia’s Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park as a result of illegal coffee growing.[21] One hundred and seventy-three square miles, or thirty percent of the park’s land, is being used for illegal coffee growing.[22] As a result, wildlife has fled the area and the natural ecosystem is diminishing.[23] Seventeen percent of all coffee consumed in the United States contains at least some beans from illegally deforested land.[24] Most of those beans are being used by industry power players including Kraft and Nestle.[25] In response to this report and the public pressures associated from it, Nestle pledged to rid its products of illegal deforestation.[26] Further, Nestle announced its plan to distribute two-hundred and twenty million high-yield coffee plants over 10 years to coffee growers globally.[27] However, these high-yield plants must be grown using the sun-cultivation method. Accordingly, the plan will continue to contribute to tropical deforestation, and whether it be legal or illegal, will further harm the environment. These types of commitments and environmentally hazardous practices of large companies may certainly open them up for future liabilities to the planet and those living on it.
[1] Number of coffee bags produced, The World Counts: Global Challenges,, worldcounts.com (Last visited Jan. 12, 2023) https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/consumption/foods-and-beverages/environmental-effects-of-coffee-production.
[2] Amanda L. Varcho, A Bitter Brew- Coffee Production, Deforestation, Soil Erosion and Water Contamination, Ohio State PB Pressbooks, https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/sciencebites/chapter/a-bitter-brew-coffee-production-deforestation-soil-erosion-and-water-contamination/.
[3] Id.
[4] Victoria Moore, The Environmental Impact of Coffee Production: What’s Your Coffee Coting The Planet?, Sustainable Business Toolkit (May 21, 2021), https://www.sustainablebusinesstoolkit.com/environmental-impact-coffee-trade/.
[5] George Blacksell, How Green Is Your Coffee?, Guardian Environment Network (Oct 4, 2011, 6:49 AM) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/oct/04/green-coffee.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Moore, supra note 4.
[10] Dean Cycon, Haste Makes Waste: Sun-Grown Coffee, Dean’s Beans, https://deansbeans.com/blogs/javatrekker-blog-news/sun-grown-shade-grown-coffee.
[11] Charmaine Jacob, Coffee Production Hurts the Planet. Scientists Think They May Have Another Way, (Dec 16, 2021) https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/16/climate-change-lab-grown-coffee-and-sustainable-ways-growing-coffee.html.
[12] Moore, supra note 4.
[13] Id.
[14] Charmaine, supra note 11.
[15] Id.
[16] Sam Kingsley, Finnish Scientists Create ‘Sustainable’ Lab-Grown Coffee, Phys.org (Oct 27, 2021) https://phys.org/news/2021-10-finnish-scientists-sustainable-lab-grown-coffee.html#:~:text=The%20coffee%20is%20not%20ground,same%20way%20as%20conventional%20coffee.
[17] Leigh Matthews, The 12 Best Ethical & Sustainable Coffee Brads for 2023, LeafScore (January 2, 2023) https://www.leafscore.com/eco-friendly-kitchen-products/best-sustainable-coffee-brands/#conscious-coffees.
[18] Starbucks announces coffee-specific environmental goals, Starbucks Stories and News (March 22, 2021, Updated April 2022), https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-announces-coffee-specific-environmental-goals/.
[19] Id.
[20] Julie Craves, Illegal Coffee Growing Threatens Wildlife, Kraft Major Buyer, Coffee and Conservation (Jan. 17, 2007) https://www.coffeehabitat.com/2007/01/illegal_coffee_/.
[21] Id.
[22] Id.
[23] Id.
[24] Id.
[25] Julie Craves, Illegal Coffee Growing Threatens Wildlife, Kraft Major Buyer, Coffee and Conservation (Jan. 17, 2007) https://www.coffeehabitat.com/2007/01/illegal_coffee_/.
[26] Id.
[27] Id