Working together to protect the taste you love
The Rainforest Alliance has been partnering with Nespresso through the AAA Program for 20 years. The international non-profit organisation works at the intersection of business, agriculture, and forests to make responsible business the new normal. We sat down with Leo Joe, Rainforest Alliance Markets Transformation Manager for Korea, Australia and New Zealand, to get his perspective on the challenges facing today’s coffee farmers. He explains how joining forces with Nespresso is working to safeguard your daily coffee ritual.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing today’s coffee farmers?
Coffee farmers around the world are currently facing a range of difficult challenges. Climate change impacts such as rising temperatures, which disrupt the usual growth conditions, make it increasingly difficult to maintain the optimal environment for coffee plants. Weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable and sudden and intense weather events like heavy rainfall and droughts have become more common. This is causing significant harm to crops and severely impacting availability and quality.
The prevalence of plant diseases such as coffee rust and coffee berry borer also adds to their problems by putting entire yields at risk. Adding to this, volatile coffee prices continue to create an ongoing struggle for these farmers, making it complicated for them to predict and plan their financial resources and expenses accurately.
How is the AAA Sustainable Quality Program helping tackle some of these challenges?
The Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, which launched in 2003 in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance, was a direct response to long-term systemic risks within the high-quality coffee supply chain. Our innovative collaboration integrated the commitment of Nespresso to quality coffee sourcing, Nestlé’s sustainable agriculture expertise, and Rainforest Alliance’s experience in sustainability standards and farm-level implementation. The AAA Program builds on our shared belief that equipping farmers with the necessary tools, knowledge, and resources to pursue more sustainable farming generates long-lasting, and meaningful change.
Sustainability is important to Nespresso customers. How does the AAA Sustainable Quality Program ensure responsible sourcing and sustainable practices in coffee production?
The AAA program provides hundreds of coffee technicians around the world to support coffee producers to deliver high quality and more sustainable coffee. These technicians work with producers to implement regenerative practices such as soil conservation, integrated pest management, agroforestry, and tree renovation; the AAA Program also works with the supply chain to facilitate traceability, price premiums, and other forms of financial support.
What is the next priority for the AAA Program?
Today, we recognise that forward-thinking stakeholders are seeking to drive transformative actions that go beyond the claim of “sustainable.” The Rainforest Alliance is therefore collaborating with Nespresso and other coffee actors to promote the concept of Regenerative Coffee. We’ve developed a Regenerative Coffee Scorecard to identify and describe key practices, targets, and impacts; Nespresso has committed to reach Gold level regenerative performance for the majority of their coffee by 2030. The Rainforest Alliance will be working hand in hand with Nespresso to reach these goals over the coming years, not just for Nespresso and coffee consumers, but for the benefit of 150,000 coffee families and their biodiverse landscapes.
What advice would you give to coffee lovers who want to help protect its future supply?
Enjoy your coffee while also being mindful of its impact. Take a moment to educate yourself about where your coffee comes from, and the struggles faced by coffee-growing communities. This awareness can guide you in making more informed choices and foster a deeper appreciation for the dedication and effort needed to cultivate coffee sustainably. Look for more sustainable options, such as coffee bearing the Rainforest Alliance seal, as this choice not only supports the livelihoods of farmers and workers but also contributes to the preservation of nature.
