FOR THE BEVERAGES OF TOMORROW
SPECIAL FEATURE ON SUSTAINABILITY
Five reasons to be cheerful in the fight against climate change
Words: Amelie Rey-Giraud
Despite the existential challenges posed by climate change on tea and coffee production, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of our industry. By embracing innovative approaches, sustainable farming practices, leveraging technology and – crucially – working together, we can achieve a more resilient future.
“Over the last twenty years in Malawi the weather has become more unpredictable and erratic. Nowadays, there are fewer days where rain falls, and more days of frequent high rainfall incidents – which are more destructive and too high volume to drain into the soil. Certain areas of the country, that were known as traditional coffee growing areas, do not grow coffee anymore. In the last ten years, pests that never frequented the tea plantations, are now becoming common pests, such as the mosquito bug.”
- Robin Saunders, General Manager, James Finlay Blantyre.
Climate change is no longer something distant or intangible. Its impacts are being felt today. Farmers are facing devastating new challenges, with drought, changing rainfall patterns, increased numbers of pests, and new diseases. This poses significant threats to the beverage industry, impacting both production and quality.
For tea and coffee plants, which thrive within specific temperature ranges, slight changes in climate can have severe consequences. Higher temperatures can lead to a decrease in both yield and quality. Extreme weather events disrupt planting and harvesting cycles, further reducing productivity.
According to an estimate by World Coffee Research, half of the land currently suitable for Arabica coffee production will no longer be suitable by 2050.
With all of these challenges, it would be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we’re already too late. This is certainly not the case and there are a number of reasons to be optimistic about our industry – and the world at large – coming together to create solutions in both the short and long-term.
1. Investment in green tech tops investment in fossil fuels. We have seen this year that many regions and countries have accelerated their efforts to transition to cleaner energies. The Economist was highlighting that in 2023, “the world had spent more than $1 trillion on green tech, which topped investment in fossil fuels for the first time”.
2. Innovative approaches. In the beverages industry, innovative approaches and collaborative efforts are also paving the way for more resilient and sustainable practices. Research and development are leading to the creation of climate-resilient tea and coffee varieties. Scientists are working on new resilient cultivars that can withstand higher temperatures, resist pests and diseases, and thrive in diverse environmental conditions.
3. Growth in sustainable farming practices. In a lot of growing regions, there has been a dramatic shift, with farmers adopting sustainable practices to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. Techniques such as agroforestry and organic farming can enhance the resilience of plantations and have many environmental benefits, including increasing biodiversity, improving soil health and water retention.
4. Technology and innovation. Leveraging technology and innovation is also key to improving climate resilience. Remote sensing, precision agriculture, and data analytics enable farmers to make informed decisions about crop management and resource allocation.
5. A shift to collaboration. Collaboration between governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector is essential to address the challenges posed by climate change. A multistakeholder approach can facilitate research, provide funding for climate adaptation projects, and support the dissemination of best practices among farmers. Initiatives such as the World Coffee Research and the Ethical Tea Partnership are working towards promoting sustainability and resilience in the industry.
This list is not exhaustive, but it should, I hope, give you reason to feel optimistic that we are making progress, and that things don’t have to get worse.
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For Finlays, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing; it’s about creating value for stakeholders right across the supply chain. By collaborating to address the issues of climate change, we can transform challenges into opportunities. This philosophy shapes the Climate Net Zero pillar of our Sustainable Future 2030 strategy, in which we have the ambition to achieve a 50% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040 .
In 2024, we submitted our targets for validation to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are now focusing on delivering on our commitments by implementing emissions reduction roadmaps; embedding an effective approach to supplier engagement; collaborating with stakeholders to support impactful projects; and looking beyond carbon to include a framework for protecting nature.
Over the past few years, we have initiated impactful projects in collaboration with suppliers, non-governmental organizations, or customers. These initiatives have helped farmers adapt to climate change and increase profitability to improve their livelihood and futureproof our supply. We intend to maintain this multistakeholder approach at the core of our strategy.
Impacts now and for thousands of years.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that “the choices and actions implemented in this decade will have impacts now and for thousands of years.”
There has been a dramatic shift, with farmers adopting sustainable practices to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.
The beverage industry is undeniably at a crossroads due to the impacts of climate change. However, by embracing innovative approaches, sustainable farming practices, and leveraging technology, there is hope for a more resilient future. Collaborative efforts across the supply chain will be vital in driving the necessary changes and ensuring that these beloved beverages continue to be enjoyed worldwide. Delivering on our commitments means taking action now and can only be achieved in partnership with colleagues, communities, customers, partners, suppliers, and the world at large.
As we set our sights on 2030, we ask you to join us in delivering a Sustainable Future.
Amelie Rey-Giraud
Climate Change Manager Amelie.Rey-Giraud@Finlays.net
VIDEO: Amelie discusses the challenges of net-zero
