Swiss coffee merchant business Volcafe has enlisted dss+ to support its transition to a carbon neutral footprint.
Established in 1851, Volcafe is one of the world’s largest coffee merchants, specialising in coffee procurement, processing and distribution to roaster partners. The company, owned by commodities corporation ED&F Man, provides beans for 80 billion cups each year.
As part of its Sustainability Strategy (launched one year ago), Volcafe has set the goal of improving the footprint of its own operations, spanning 25 offices in coffee-producing countries and importing countries.
The project with dss+ will see the sustainability team of the consultancy deliver a carbon accounting assessment of scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions for Volcafe’s operations (which extend to every continent outside of Antarctica), followed up by a carbon reduction and removal plan.
“Volcafe understands the threat of climate change to the coffee sector, and knows that carbon reduction and removal will be critical to achieving its vision of a thriving, sustainable coffee business for all. And this project is an important step in our continuing journey,” said Carlos Ortiz, sustainability manager and climate lead at Volcafe.
“Taking stock of our current footprint will help us focus our efforts and reduce emissions more effectively, and also, we will be in a better position to support the climate commitments from our strategic roaster partners. We are all in this climate journey together,” he added.
In the coffee sector – where a post-harvest-processed agricultural product often comes from deforested farmland before being loaded onto international shipping vessels prior to ground transportation to energy-consuming roasteries and cafes – carbon neutrality requires various forms of carbon offsetting.
Formerly known as DuPont Sustainable Solutions, dss+ is a global consultancy specialised in safety & health, operations and sustainability. In the sustainability segment, the firm recently beefed up its capabilities with two consultancy acquisitions – US-based KSS Advisors and Switzerland-based Sofies Group. “We are very pleased to be working with dss+,” said Ortiz.
David Rochat, director of sustainability services at dss+, stated: “In many countries, supply chains are overtaking farming and land use as the largest contributor to GHG emissions in the agri-food sector. We at dss+ are committed to addressing this issue through our work with clients, and proud to support Volcafe as they undertake this important work.”
Recent examples of other coffee players that have introduced carbon neutrality objectives are Nespresso, Cafe Imports and Caravela Coffee.