How effective are sustainability certification

Coffee certifications such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Organic, play a vital role in promoting environmentally and socially responsible practices within the coffee industry. They provide consumers with an insight into conditions under which coffee is produced, the environmental impact of its cultivation, and the treatment of farmers and workers on coffee farms (Middlemiss, L. 2018). 

The Fairtrade 2023 Impact report states that there are 1,900 Fairtrade producer organisations across 70 countries with over 25 percent of them being women. The core of Fairtrade work also ensures environmental protection by improving soil and water quality, reduction of green gas emission, biodiversity protection, waste management and more. Several community programs have been conducted to improve production and farming practices as well as financial benefits for the farmers (Fairtrade, 2023). 

Although certification such as Fairtrade help to promote sustainable practices in the coffee industry, the question of equal access to those schemes needs to be raised. The high-quality standards required to join initiatives like Fairtrade often means that the poorest farmers are being excluded (Middlemiss 2018). Additionally, there is a risk that these programs could develop their own closed governance systems, excluding smaller participants from decision-making process or price negotiations (Middlemiss 2018). Nierenberg (2018) argues that if we consider the use of land, water, energy and the need for fair and safe working conditions for farmers, the real cost of coffee should be twice as high. While certifications and labels can drive up the retail price of coffee, we must question how much of this increase translates into higher wages for farmers.