Peru’s coffee growers turn carbon traders to save their farms from climate change
A report published yesterday by the UK’s leading ethical hot drinks brand Cafédirect predicts that up to three-quarters of the world’s coffee is at growing risk from climate change impacts that are already disrupting supplies and pushing up prices. In Peru, which is rated among the top three nations likely to be most affected by climate change in the world, the company has begun a programme enabling poor farming communities to earn credits on the global carbon market by participating in reforestation projects. If it succeeds, it could provide a blueprint for indigenous communities all over the world.
The Bonsucro scheme, which ensures that production of sugar and ethanol from sugarcane meet environmental, social and business standards, is set to grow sharply as the industry moves toward sustainable practices. Bonsucro certification, which began last June, currently covers around 1 million tonnes of cane production, testing mills owned by companies including Bunge, Copersucar and Raizen on labour rights and environmental criteria.
A new study shows that avoidable food waste, as well as excess meat consumption, has a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Dr David Reay at Edinburgh University, who led the study, said: “Eating less meat and wasting less food can play a big part in helping to keep a lid on greenhouse gas emissions as the world’s population increases… At present about 30% of food is wasted globally. If we can tackle this, it would be like taking about 20 million cars off the road permanently.”
Coca-Cola promises millions of green bottles with £15 million ECO Plastics plant
Closed-loop plastic recycling is to become a reality in the UK, following the opening last week of a pioneering new recycling plant. The new £15 million facility was developed by Continuum Recycling, a new joint venture launched last year by Coca-Cola and recycling specialist ECO Plastics, and will play a key role in Coca-Cola’s green marketing around the London Olympics this summer, which includes a pledge to turn plastic bottles discarded at Olympic sites into 80 million new drinks bottles.
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