Influencing sustainability across the world
Working with farmers across the globe, Matthew Algie is in a unique position to influence the sustainability of world-wide coffee production. In partnership with M&S as a major customer,
Matthew Algie has played a central role in delivering on key M&S commitments on climate change and ethical sourcing.
- Matthew Algie was the first roaster to supply M&S
with Fairtrade certified coffee and continue to work
with the retailer to evolve development of certified
sources aligned with 'Plan A'.
- In 2010, Matthew Algie worked with M&S Café
to increase the sustainability credentials of their
coffee by switching to “triple certified” coffee, which
carries Fairtrade, Organic and Rainforest Alliance
certifications.
- Matthew Algie has recently worked with M&S, in
collaboration with Fairtrade International, on a
pilot project looking at the carbon foot print of
coffee - from origin to UK roaster.
- A pilot project has been established with a
producer group in Southern Peru to explore farm level
opportunities to reduce costs and carbon footprint.
As the UK's leading independent Fairtrade roaster,
Matthew Algie has been committed to developing valueadd
sustainable supply chains for customers, launching
M&S's first Fairtrade espresso coffee in 2004. With
Fairtrade now around 85 percent of Matthew Algie's
total volume, the company has grown its certified coffee
sales year on year. Fairtrade and Triple Certified coffees
have been major contributors to the company's strong
record of volume and turnover growth in recent years.
Two of the seven pillars of Marks and Spencer's 'Plan A'
commitments focus on climate change and being a fair
partner. As part of that drive, M&S agreed to work with
Fairtrade International on carbon foot printing. Matthew
Algie was delighted to facilitate one of the pilot projects to
assess the carbon footprint of coffee from origin to roasting
in the UK.
The pilot project focused on a producer group in Cecovasa,
Southern Peru who have been supplying Matthew Algie
with Fairtrade coffee for more than 10 years.
Working with Fairtrade farming partners, an analysis of the
data collected concluded that most of the emissions within
the supply chain are from coffee production, at farm level.
Consequently, it has been agreed that the project's focus
will be on farm level adaptation initiatives.
One option currently being explored is a compost scheme
with Cecovasa. Using their own compost would reduce
the producer group's need for nitrogen based fertilisers,
thereby reducing both costs and carbon footprint.
Interestingly, Fairtrade International is investigating ways
to reward producers for good husbandry and sustainable
practices on an on-going basis.
In recognition of Matthew Algie's work with M&S, they
were awarded a Leadership award at the 2011 Plan A
conference in London.
Next steps
Matthew Algie, in association with M&S and Fairtrade, plan to investigate
the
costs and opportunities related to the identified adaptation schemes, starting
with the compost scheme in Cecovasa. Matthew Algie also plan to continue to
consult
and liaise with their partners to reward low income farmers for good husbandry
and carbon reductions as part of
the Fairtrade system.
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