The Sustainable Coffee Challenge Welcomes Tata Coffee, the Largest Asian Coffee Grower
The Sustainable Coffee Challenge has welcomed Tata Coffee as its newest and first partner from India. As one of the largest integrated coffee companies in the world, Tata Coffee puts a strong emphasis on sustainability in the production and manufacturing aspects of the business. The Sustainable Coffee Challenge aims to make coffee the first globally sustainable agricultural product.
“Asia is among the markets with the most expanding demand for coffee,” said Bambi Semroc, Senior Strategic Advisor at Conservation International. “Having Tata Coffee as a contributor and partner in Asia further demonstrates the importance of sustainable production and sends strong signals to other companies, consumers and farmers across the region.”
Tata Coffee plans to share its water conservation and renewable energy management expertise with other Challenge members while also learning from like-minded partners. Tata Coffee operates a freeze dried instant coffee plant that powers from 70 percent-sourced renewable energy.
“An integral part of Tata Coffee’s philosophy is sustainable growth, be it for the environment or the communities in which we operate. All our processes and practices are aligned towards globally benchmarked parameters of sustainability. Our association with the Challenge will help us join forces with like-minded organizations in exchanging ideas and best practices,” said Chacko Thomas, Deputy CEO and Executive Director, Tata Coffee Ltd.
Tata Coffee, tracing its roots back to 1922, grows its coffee using sustainable agricultural practices in South India with shade-grown and hand-picked Arabica and Robusta varieties. Rainwater harvesting is part of the growing process, including 273 scientifically designed tanks which store water for blossom and backing irrigation without drawing from groundwater reservoirs. The tanks also cool the atmosphere to sustain the flora and fauna of the area.
The Sustainable Coffee Challenge, formed by Conservation International and Starbucks and launched during the Paris climate meetings in 2015, is uniting players from across the coffee industry – growers, traders, roasters, retailers, governments and NGOs. It aims to stimulate greater demand for sustainable coffee while partnering to find solutions to mitigate impacts of climate change and other stressors.
Tata Coffee joins a growing list of partners in the Sustainable Coffee Challenge. Other recent additions include the Government of Uganda and the International Coffee Organization.
Conservation International
Conservation International uses science, policy and partnerships to protect the nature people rely on for food, fresh water and livelihoods. Founded in 1987, Conservation International works in more than 30 countries on six continents to ensure a healthy, prosperous planet that supports us all. Learn more about Conservation International and its groundbreaking "Nature Is Speaking" campaign, and follow Conservation International's work on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About the Sustainable Coffee Challenge
The Sustainable Coffee Challenge convenes, unites and urges the coffee sector and conservation partners across the industry to spur the actions and investments necessary to make coffee the first sustainable agriculture product in the world. The Challenge is committed to stimulating demand for sustainable coffee across the value chain, from the policymaking level to the final consumer. By encouraging demand for sustainable coffee, it leads to investments that enable the transition to a sustainable production and ensuring the coffee we drink is a sustainable product.
About Tata Coffee
Tata Coffee is a subsidiary of Tata Global Beverages. It is one of the world’s largest integrated coffee companies and one of the largest exporters of instant coffee in India. The Company produces approximately 10,000 MT of shade grown Arabica and Robusta coffees at its 19 estates in South India and its two Instant Coffee manufacturing facilities have a combined installed capacity of 8400 metric tons. It exports green coffee to countries in Europe, Asia, Middle East and North America. Tata Coffee’s farms are triple certified: Utz, Rainforest Alliance and SA 8000 reinforcing its commitment to the people and the environment.