In a significant move for sustainable agriculture, Brazilian coffee cooperative Cooxupé has participated in a landmark international study analyzing the carbon footprint of coffee production across Latin America. The research, managed by German certification leader 4C Services GmbH and supported by the global Sustainable Coffee Challenge coalition, examined greenhouse gas emissions in five major producing countries: Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru.
The study's methodology focused on measuring emissions from farm-level activities, tracking everything from input usage and crop management to energy consumption and on-site processing. By engaging directly with cooperative members, researchers collected standardized data aligned with international carbon accounting protocols, creating a comparable baseline across different production systems.
Findings reveal that the vast majority of emissions—approximately 68% in Brazilian arabica coffee—stem from fertilizer use, making it the single largest contributor to the sector's carbon footprint. Waste management follows as the second significant factor, while transportation, energy use, and wastewater treatment account for considerably smaller portions. In Brazil specifically, transportation contributes just 2% of total emissions, with wastewater treatment having a marginal impact of about 0.02%.
"Our participation in this study underscores the critical importance of measuring and understanding emissions in coffee cultivation to guide more effective field actions," said Luiz Fernando dos Reis, Cooxupé's commercial superintendent. "The results demonstrate that emission reductions are directly tied to input efficiency, proper waste management, and adoption of good agricultural practices. This is a path we've already been working on with our members, focusing on productivity coupled with sustainability."
The research also highlights the positive role of shade trees and intercropping systems, which contribute to carbon sequestration and enhance overall sustainability. By bringing together industry companies, organizations, and specialists, the initiative aims to generate crucial data and advance climate strategies throughout the coffee supply chain.
Based on reporting from g1.