Illy and a host of leading industry experts gathered in New York to confront the coffee climate crisis and call for global investment in regenerative agriculture through public-private collaboration .
In a world facing unprecedented climate challenges, the future of coffee hangs in the balance. From droughts in Brazil to extreme weather in Vietnam, climate volatility is putting the livelihoods of more than 12.5 million people at risk. coffee producers, mostly smallholders. The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Prize 2024 chose the headquarters of the United Nations to draw the attention of the international community to a crucial question: how to ensure the future of coffee in the face of these environmental and socio-economic threats?
“It is crucial to implement regenerative solutions now, as they have been proven to work very well and produce excellent results” Andrea Illy, President of'illycaffè and co-chair of the Regenerative Society Foundation
A round table informed by coffee leaders and visionaries
The round table, organized at the United Nations by illycaffè as part of this year's Ernesto Illy International Coffee Prize, was hosted by Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, and brought together important leaders and visionaries in coffee and sustainability. They included Andrea Illy, president of illycaffè and co-chair of the Regenerative Society Foundation; Massimo Bottura, world-renowned chef and United Nations goodwill ambassador; Jamil Ahmad, Director of the UNEP New York Office; Andrea De Marco, UNIDO Project Manager; Raina Lang, senior director of sustainable coffee at Conservation International; and Vanusia Nogueira, executive director of the International Coffee Organization.
“Since Expo 2015, we have worked tirelessly to build a framework that protects coffee for generations to come. Regenerative agriculture has shown it can produce high yields and quality while restoring natural resources We need to move quickly to implement these solutions globally through an international fund. It is essential to implement regenerative solutions now because they work very well and generate excellent results.” Andrea Illy .
The panel highlighted the urgency of converting global coffee cultivation into a regenerative model to increase resilience, improve farmers' livelihoods and reduce environmental impact. Particular attention was paid to the need to create a $10 billion public-private fund over the next decade, which will target small-scale coffee producers in European Union countries.
“Coffee is about emotion. Coffee has the potential to embody heritage, quality and pleasure. We need to improve the act of drinking a cup of coffee, transforming it from a routine into a conscious act of support. This change has a direct and positive impact on those who produce and grow it, promoting a sustainable future for coffee-producing communities. Massimo Botturachef patron of Osteria Francescana and Casa Maria Luigia, founder of Food for Soul, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador and SDG advocate
“As we are exposed to the increasing effects of climate change, communities Coffee producers, particularly smallholders in developing regions, face unprecedented challenges that threaten their livelihoods and cultural heritage. This fund, and the collaboration that it represents, is an essential step to strengthen resilience, guarantee means of sustainable livelihoods and safeguarding the future of coffee. Together, through public-private partnerships and a global commitment, we can enable these communities to adapt, thrive and continue to share coffee with the whole world ». Vanusia NogueiraExecutive Director of the International Coffee Organization.
“As leaders in food and sustainability, we have a responsibility to promote models that can ensure viable food systems like coffee. It was a privilege to moderate this important discussion and listen to the many sustainability thought leaders who participated.”. Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation.
The roundtable concluded with a strong message to the global coffee community, financial institutions and individual consumers: coffee-producing countries need significant investment and public-private cooperation to create practices scalable, resilient and environmentally friendly agricultural products. The planned fund aims to support farmers in the transition to regenerative practices, ensuring the economic sustainability of the coffee industry while responding to climate and social challenges.
About illycaffè
illycaffè is an Italian family business, founded in Trieste in 1933, which has always made it its mission to offer the best coffee in the world. It produces a unique 100% Arabica blend composed of 9 different ingredients. The company selects only 1% of the best Arabica beans. Every day, more than 8 million cups of illy coffee are served in more than 140 countries around the world, in bars, restaurants and hotels, in illy cafes and boutiques, at home and in the office, where the company is present through subsidiaries and distributors. Since its foundation, illycaffè has oriented its strategies towards a sustainable business model, a commitment that it reinforced in 2019 by adopting the status of Benefit Company and in 2021 by becoming the first Italian coffee company to obtain international B certification Corp. Everything is “made in illy”, and under the sign of beauty and Art, the founding principles of the brand, starting with the logo, designed by the artist James Rosenquist, the illy Art Collection cups, decorated by more by 130 international artists, or even coffee machines designed by internationally renowned designers. To spread the culture of quality among growers, baristas and coffee lovers, the company created the Coffee University, which today provides courses in 23 countries around the world. In 2023, the company recorded a turnover of 595.1 million euros. The illy single-brand network has 159 points of sale in 30 countries.
