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Assessing the Impact of Voluntary Certification Schemes on Future Sustainable Coffee Production

Jones, Katharine; Njeru, Ezekiel Mugendi; Garnett, Kenisha; Girkin, Nicholas

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Authors

Katharine Jones

Ezekiel Mugendi Njeru

Kenisha Garnett

NICHOLAS GIRKIN Nicholas.Girkin3@nottingham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor in Environmental Sci



Abstract

Coffee production faces major sustainability issues and consumers increasingly look to choose certified coffee as awareness grows. While consumers’ understanding of sustainability issues is limited, independent voluntary certification schemes such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and certified organic—three high-profile schemes—can play a role in future-proofing coffee production through standard-setting. These schemes can also inform consumers about sustainability issues from economic, environmental, and social perspectives, thus driving up demand for sustainably grown coffee, and supporting an enabling environment for farmers and coffee-producing countries to improve the status quo. Sustainably grown coffee ensures that farmers sustain production while protecting the environment and the income that farmers rely on to maintain their livelihood. Based on a thematic analysis and synthesis of previous studies, this paper examines the social, economic, and environmental effects of voluntary certification schemes for coffee production. It evaluates the current state of coffee production and explores how certification schemes can be effective in encouraging more sustainable practices among producers. Three major voluntary certification schemes are evaluated to identify the impacts on producers, including key barriers and enablers to comply with sustainability standards and to determine how fit-for-purpose certification schemes are in assuring future sustainable coffee production.

Citation

Jones, K., Njeru, E. M., Garnett, K., & Girkin, N. (2024). Assessing the Impact of Voluntary Certification Schemes on Future Sustainable Coffee Production. Sustainability, 16(13), Article 5669. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135669

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 25, 2024
Online Publication Date Jul 3, 2024
Publication Date Jul 1, 2024
Deposit Date Jul 4, 2024
Publicly Available Date Jul 5, 2024
Journal Sustainability
Electronic ISSN 2071-1050
Publisher MDPI
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 16
Issue 13
Article Number 5669
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135669
Keywords certification; fairtrade; rainforest alliance; organic; arabica; robusta
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/36872130
Publisher URL https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/13/5669

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