How can producers invest in more sustainable practices in an environment of low prices, a climate crisis and in the midst of a global pandemic? Why do we need a Baseline Coffee Code? What is the relationship between the Baseline Coffee Code and existing certification schemes and how does the Baseline Coffee Code connect with the living-income concept? These were some of the questions that were raised by participants during a series of public consultation webinars held in March and April on the revision of the GCP Baseline Coffee Code.
The public consultation, which kicked off in March and will run until the end of April, has included multiple online meetings in different languages, bringing together voices from across the coffee value chain in an effort to engage broadly on the revision of the GCP Baseline Coffee Code and to gain broad input, diverse expertise and know-how as this key industry reference gets enhanced.
April will see additional online meetings held in coffee-producing countries in local languages and the continuation of the online survey, which is now also available in English, Portuguese, Bahasa, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
“After a month of great contributions through the survey and online meetings, we’re delighted to be continuing our engagement and listening to the voices of the different actors in the coffee supply chain on what are the foundations to advance sustainability in the coffee sector,” said Gelkha Buitrago, GCP Director Programs and Corporate Partnerships.
“An important part of this process is hearing from coffee stakeholders to improve the GCP Baseline Coffee Code – to ensure it is a strengthened sector wide reference on the foundations of sustainability in the economic, social and environmental dimensions for green coffee production and primary processing worldwide.”
GCP consultation continues in various coffee-producing countries to hear firsthand from the local stakeholders on how the proposal resonates with them and what needs to be considered to ensure that more and more producers are able to uptake the principles and practices proposed.
Another dimension to the process is understanding how these efforts can complement the work of so many actors that have played a pivotal role in advancing sustainability in origin countries.
Local stakeholders in Indonesia, Kenya, Nicaragua, Uganda, Tanzania and Vietnam have already had the opportunity to voice their views on the Baseline Coffee Code and discuss the relevance of this revision for their national sustainability strategies and plans. A workshop with Brazilian stakeholders is planned for April 14th and one with coffee actors in Central and South America will be carried out on April 22nd. Producers and stakeholders in other coffee producing countries have the opportunity to lend their voice to the process through the online survey.
“It’s been encouraging to see the diverse and passionate participation during this process,” says Buitrago. “We are confident that the revised GCP Baseline Code will be a fit-for-purpose, sector-wide reference for baseline coffee sustainability while responding to the increasing impacts of a changing climate, farmer profitability, and the global pandemic.”
The public consultation period will end on 30 April 2021, after which the revised code, which has been supported by the Technical Committee and Advisory Task Force, will seek the approval of the GCP Board in July before being published later this year. The final document will be translated in various languages and made available through the GCP website.
There is still time to lend your voice on the foundations for sustainability in the coffee sector!
We want to hear from you!
Find out more about the upcoming online events. Get in touch with the team:
Webinar sobre Revisão do Baseline Coffee Code
da Plataforma Global do Café – 14 Abril 2021
El Código de Línea de Base de Café
de la Plataforma Global de Café – 22 Abril 2021
