Sustainability is a core goal of Coffee Hunting – much has been said, written and philosophized about it. Mostly it is being interpreted as 3-pillar model (economic, ecologic, social). Our concept of sustainability goes beyond and encompasses a continuous process which dynamically links social, economic and ecologic aspects.

Certification such as organic, fair trade or other and their verification cannot be more than snapshots of single aspects – but they cannot reflect perpetual interaction of various system elements. Our rating therefore does not read as an independent certification but as our evaluation and appreciation of sustainability of a producer initiative based on our own set of criteria. These criteria will be continuously refined and will include not only the actual status but the dynamics of development processes.

Economic Aspects
Social Aspects
Ecological Aspects

Economic Aspects

For our rating only those mechanisms are considered relevant which contribute to improved farmers’ livelihoods, increased independence and freedom of choice within their given political and social realities.

What are the important criteria?

• Economic and entrepreneurial independence.
• (Encouragement of) entrepreneurial spirit and initiative.
• Improving added value, e.g. by creating market access overseas, vertical integration (producer-owned processing units, local roasting), brand development or certification.
• Economic diversification and risk minimization, e.g. coffee in mixed agroforestry systems.
• Promotion of local financing facilities, e.g. saving-groups, small credit systems.
• Legal security of land-use rights.

Social Aspects

Our globalized world increasingly requires a certain compatibility of socio-economic systems. This development – among others – is being strained by the creation and implementation of international standards. Yet we have to consider that many social standards have been developed on ‚western’ based value systems. This sometimes required adaptation to the local context and realities of developing countries. One of our partners wrote:

„„…We must become familiarized with and accept the international rule to compete on a  global level. In fact, we are ready. They can come and check everything here to rule out the unfair trade. What we have established has gone far beyond what they are thinking about. However some issues are very hard for us to explain to them. For example if they come and see children aged 8-9 years or elders aged 70-80 years picking coffee cherries they may develop a misunderstanding that is hard for us to clarify. Because, in our perspective, this is the folkway of living together. When the mothers and fathers are in the coffee orchard, children and aged people would come and stay with and help them. While we view this as the happiness within a family, the foreigners may think of the children’s labour or that of aged people. Anyway we have to try to clarify this with them“

What are the important criteria?

• Preservation of cultural diversity and autonomy
• Self-determination and self-organization
• Identification, reflection and tackling of social and economic problem areas by the producers (Code of conduct, Fair Trade etc.)
• Fostering of self-initiative and own investment in social (infra-)structure (health, education, local community)

Ecology

Coffee production worldwide is mainly produced by smallholder farmers, predominantly in mixed cropping systems or home gardens on parcels less than 2 hectares. This kind of land use is essential for self-sustenance. Many development activities aim at improving yield within these structures, an objective which is sometimes achieved by introducing improved varieties, fertilizers and pesticides.

We doubt that improving yield is conducive to stabilizing highly speculative, volatile markets. Intensified land use also induces severe stress to the environment and humans.

Coffee cultivation in near nature forest- or agro-forest systems does not only contribute to the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity but helps farmers to minimize ecological and economic risks. For example, coffee grown under the canopy of diverse native trees can considerably contribute to mitigating green house effects. It protects again soil erosion and stabilizes the water regime. Moreover environmental protection in coffee production must also be promoted by introducing locally adapted technologies.

What are the important criteria?

• Preservation of smallholder land use structures
• Eco- friendly coffee cultivation in near natural forests, agro-forestry systems (e.g. home gardens, Analog Forestry) or under diverse, native tree stands.
• Coordinated, participatory resource management, such soil conservation, reforestation and watershed management.
• Promotion of innovative adapted technologies for households, communities and coffee processing, e.g. use of regenerative energies, energy saving technologies, water and waste water management.
• Promotion and involvement in regional nature and biodiversity conservation or climate change mitigation projects
• Environmental awareness raising and education.

How do we rate sustainability?

Based on our set of criteria, a local evaluation or producer interviews are carried out to assess the respective ecological, economic and social performances of the producer initiative.

The result is displayed in a sustainability profile on a scale of 0 (average performance) to 10 (outstanding).

Examplary sustainability profile

What are your most important criteria in terms of coffee and sustainability. Please post your ideas and comments here.