July 10, 2025 | 06:31 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Monday- 14:52, 25/10/2021

Newly-revised Coffee Sustainability Reference Code released by GCP

(VAN) The Global Coffee Platform (GCP) has released its newly-revised Coffee Sustainability Reference Code, offering a common language for the sector to collectively advance farmers’ prosperity, social well-being, and the conservation of nature.
The revised code is 'from the coffee community for the coffee community'. Photo: TL.

The revised code is “from the coffee community for the coffee community”. Photo: TL.

Following a broad international public consultation the Global Coffee Platform has published the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code, which provides a foundation to support the primary principles of sustainable coffee production.

This reference code offers a common language to enable farmers, producers organizations, their business partners, donors, NGOs, financial institutions and governments to more collaboratively and effectively advance their coffee sustainability efforts.

The Coffee Sustainability Reference Code provides sustainability stakeholders with a simplified and fit-for-purpose framework to foster better understanding of principles that support baseline sustainable coffee production. It addresses ongoing challenges in the coffee sustainability landscape as well as key emerging concerns such as climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Coffee Sustainability Reference Code helps to enhance and align the activities of the whole industry already underway so that more coffee farmers can be reached. Photo: TL.

The Coffee Sustainability Reference Code helps to enhance and align the activities of the whole industry already underway so that more coffee farmers can be reached. Photo: TL.

According to Annette Pensel, GCP Executive Director, the revised code is “from the coffee communi ty for the coffee community” and ultimately seeks to advance farmers’ economic prosperity, social well-being, and the conservation of nature.

“The Coffee Sustainability Reference Code helps to enhance and align the activities of the whole industry already underway so that more coffee farmers can be reached, and to encourage all coffee production to be sustainable.”

For Gelkha Buitrago, GCP Director Programs and Corporate Partnerships, we can collectively undertake strong concerted action to support a more sustainable and resilient future for farmers and the sector overall, but “to do so, we need a shared understanding of baseline sustainability upon which other innovations at farm level and beyond can be built”.

Decoding Sustainability

Centered on the three dimensions of economic prosperity, social well-being, and environmental stewardship, the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code outlines 12 principles, broken down into practices and expected results that describe baseline sustainability for coffee production and primary processing.

The code also defines five critical practices: elimination of the worst forms of child labour, elimination of forced labour, no deforestation, no use of prohibited pesticides, and the newest addition, continuous improvement.

GCP believes the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code will serve the coffee sector to better align activities. Photo: TL.

GCP believes the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code will serve the coffee sector to better align activities. Photo: TL.

“While the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code addresses the beginning of the supply chain, with farmers on the ground, downstream actors are expected to share the responsibility for sustainability,” says Ms. Pensel. “This includes supporting and incentivising the efforts of coffee farmers to introduce, maintain, and go beyond these baseline principles across all dimensions, as well as promoting equitable trading and sourcing practices.”

As custodian of the code, GCP believes the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code will serve the coffee sector to better align activities, inspire continuous improvement, and accelerate individual and collective action.

“Coffee sustainability is a shared responsibility and as a common language, together we can use this reference code and advance towards a thriving, sustainable coffee sector for generations to come.”

Author: Tung Dinh

Translated by Thuc An

New FAO Representative in Vietnam: 'For Vietnam, with Vietnam, and from Vietnam

New FAO Representative in Vietnam: 'For Vietnam, with Vietnam, and from Vietnam

(VAN) Mr. Vinod Ahuja, the newly appointed FAO Representative in Vietnam, has outlined three guiding objectives for his tenure: "For Vietnam, with Vietnam, and from Vietnam."

Soil health on durian farms in the Vietnam Mekong Delta severely deteriorates

Soil health on durian farms in the Vietnam Mekong Delta severely deteriorates

(VAN) The swift expansion of durian farming in Vietnam's Mekong Delta is accompanied by a concerning trend: the decline and depletion of soil health due to nutrient exhaustion.

Vietnam and Switzerland to establish a mutual green action plan

Vietnam and Switzerland to establish a mutual green action plan

(VAN) With a strong relationship, Vietnam and Switzerland have great potential to expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture and environment during the 2025 - 2028 period.

Advancing the legacy of Vietnam - United States cooperation

Advancing the legacy of Vietnam - United States cooperation

(VAN) Ministry of Agriculture and Environment expresses its gratitude for USAID's meaningful contributions over more than 30 years of operation in Vietnam.

Vietnam Prime Minister outlines five strategic proposals on environment and climate in Brazil

Vietnam Prime Minister outlines five strategic proposals on environment and climate in Brazil

(VAN) Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered an important speech at the expanded BRICS Summit's plenary session themed 'Environment, COP30, and Global Health.'

Applying digital technology in animal disease prevention: Aspiration for a digital immunity map

Applying digital technology in animal disease prevention: Aspiration for a digital immunity map

(VAN) The African swine fever epidemic is a wake-up call, forcing the livestock industry to switch to a proactive immune mindset using modern technology.

Applying digital technology in animal disease prevention: AI opens a new path for effective livestock production

Applying digital technology in animal disease prevention: AI opens a new path for effective livestock production

(VAN) AI can analyze pig samples and health indicators to make more accurate predictions about the potential for disease spread.

Read more