Save the planet, one cup at a time
Make yourself a sustainable brew
Your Challenge
Try one small, sustainable switch by choosing tea or coffee that’s better for people and the planet.
Next time you need to buy tea or coffee, look for one that is certified by the Soil Association Organic standard, Fairtrade, or Rainforest Alliance. These logos are easy to spot on the packaging and can be found in all supermarkets. If you are looking for a cheaper option, some supermarkets have an own brand beverage that’s certified by one of these three schemes.
Why you're doing this
How we grow tea and coffee matters to the environment. Crop monocultures, such as tea and coffee plantations, have a negative impact on biodiversity[1] as large areas of land are covered in a single crop, providing limited habitat and food for animals including insects. Biodiverse land may be cleared to make room for these plantations, and over time, by farming one crop on a piece of land, the soil quality starts to degrade. Coffee and tea farms are also at risk from the effects of climate change as drought, pollution, fire and flood damage ultimately lead to poor harvests. The impact of climate change is currently driving up global coffee prices.[2]
Tea and coffee are also two of the most popular beverages in the world. They are produced by millions of farmers globally, requiring the use of millions of hectares of land. The way we grow and farm tea and coffee matters. According to the Global Slavery Index, coffee is one of the top 20 most imported products carrying a risk of modern slavery.[3] For farmers, working on tea and coffee plantations can be dangerous, with risks including low wages, long hours, exposure to pesticides and other chemicals, and limited access to healthcare, housing and education for their children.[4]
How you'll make a difference
Different certification schemes achieve different goals, and you can find out more on each of their websites. In short, these three certifications focus on paying farmers fairly, encourage farming in a way that reduces negative impacts on the environment and on workers, and provides training and education to build sustainable solutions that will combat climate change and last into the future. They teach farmers how to improve biodiversity by planting other species with their crops, or using organic farming methods that benefit insects and wildlife. By purchasing certified tea and coffee, you’re helping to protect workers, farmers, and the environment, helping to protect biodiversity and reduce the impacts of climate change.
Track your progress
in the My Footprint App
Track your progress and discover many more challenges in the My Footprint app. Available for iOS and Android devices.
