OUT OF THE BOX

Three by Three Questions: Looking for joint solutions

OUT OF THE BOX

Three by Three Questions: Looking for joint solutions 

What can cooperation in partner organizations achieve?

In today’s dynamic coffee industry, the importance of collaboration cannot be overstated. Organizations play a pivotal role in uniting stakeholders with shared goals. They foster collaboration among various interest groups along the supply chain, allowing us to address a variety of pressing issues. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources of partner organizations, we can develop innovative solutions that benefit not only our businesses but also the communities we serve. In this issue of our Three by Three Questions, we therefore ask three organizations of which NKG is a member about the benefits and results of the collaborative work.

How has your organization fostered cooperation among its members?
What are the main benefits your members have gained from working together through the organization?
Can you provide a specific example of a joint solution or initiative that has resulted from collaboration within your organization, involving NKG or NKG companies?

The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is an intergovernmental organization with 75 Member states, encompassing both producing and consuming countries. Cooperation is at the heart of what we do. Our Members aim to make decisions by consensus, and this requires us to participate in discussions, be on the lookout for new opportunities, and also accept compromises when necessary. We try to achieve consensus in every group and committee within the ICO. This may be a time-consuming approach, but it helps us make decisions that will be supported by all Members.

We foster cooperation among our Members through targeted initiatives that address today’s sustainability challenges and regulatory shifts, such as the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR). Our Coffee Public-Private Task Force (CPPTF) plays a central role as it provides a space for dialogue that unites coffee sector stakeholders and offers guidance on key compliance issues. We also collaborate closely with EU institutions, producing informative material and delivering webinars to support Members’ understanding of new policies and facilitate compliance therewith. In addition, the ICO’s latest achievement in fostering cooperation has been the establishment of a Global Coffee Sustainability and Resilience Fund, which was recently endorsed by the G7 Italian Presidency. This landmark initiative will bring together different interested parties in the coffee sector in a collaborative effort to address sustainability challenges, support climate change mitigation, and enhance farmers' resilience and prosperity.

Four years ago, we started the Coffee Public-Private Task Force with public representatives from coffee producing countries and leading coffee companies, including NKG. The objective is to build consensus between public and private stakeholders on priority actions aimed towards ensuring sustainability and fairness in the coffee industry around the world. We are working towards closing the living income gap in coffee regions to support farmers on their road to prosperity. We are promoting enabling policies in exporting and importing countries and facilitating national public-private platforms. This collaboration between public and private stakeholders has the potential to tackle the most important issues affecting coffee in a more effective way.

Miguel Zamora,
Coffee Public-Private Task Force Coordinator, International Coffee Organization (ICO)

How has your organization fostered cooperation among its members?
What are the main benefits your members have gained from working together through the organization?
Can you provide a specific example of a joint solution or initiative that has resulted from collaboration within your organization, involving NKG or NKG companies?

Over the past 40 years ECF has encouraged and fostered collaboration amongst its members by developing a common strategy and clearly identifying key priorities. Through regular meetings, workshops, and events, ECF aims to create opportunities for networking and discussion, helping members find alignment on the sectors priorities. By identifying shared goals and priorities, ECF and its members collectively advocate for common interests on topics such as EUDR, CS3D, PPWR or the Green Claims Directive. As a result, our position and messaging become much stronger and our advocacy more effective.

Working together at ECF provides significant benefits. Anticipation allows members to foresee and plan for European political, legislative, and regulatory developments like EUDR, PPWR, Green Claims, and more. Influence is gained through collaboration with key coffee stakeholders, enabling members to actively shape the sector's position and impact decision-makers. Networking opportunities connect members amongst themselves as well as with other associations, stakeholders, and political leaders at both European and international levels, fostering valuable relationships. Information access gives members exclusive insights into economic, scientific, and regulatory topics, empowering them with the knowledge needed to make strategic and informed decisions.

A great example of collaboration would be the compilation of extensive datasets (pesticides, contaminants and process contaminants) that have enabled us to prevent the setting of maximum residue limits and if set, for them to be workable for the coffee sector. Another perfect example of the effectiveness of joint efforts was the cosigned letter sent by the private sector, producing countries and civil society, to Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, requesting urgent action for an effective EUDR implementation in the coffee sector. As a more recent example we have the ongoing development of a shadow product environmental footprint category rules for coffee that aims to provide a clear and transparent methodology for assessing the environmental impact of coffee. We have a couple of other projects in the pipeline that we trust will see the light in the new year, wishing to thank the NKG for their support and active contributions to the success of ECF.

Eileen Gordon,
Secretary General, European Coffee Federation (ECF)

How has your organization fostered cooperation among its members?
What are the main benefits your members have gained from working together through the organization?
Can you provide a specific example of a joint solution or initiative that has resulted from collaboration within your organization, involving NKG or NKG companies?

At the Global Coffee Platform (GCP), we foster collaboration through pre-competitive activities that unite supply chain stakeholders. Our members believe in a shared responsibility for coffee sustainability and understand that driving meaningful change requires collective action. We regularly convene members to exchange insights on emerging issues like EUDR and Regenerative Agriculture, exploring opportunities for joint action. Beyond convening the sector, GCP develops tools such as the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code which was created through a broad consultative process with members. This open-source tool guides the entire coffee sector towards sustainable practices.

GCP Members working together on pressing issues allows for bigger scope and scale to improve on big sustainability challenges, such as improving living incomes, enhancing productivity, ensuring market access, and protecting farmer health. Guided by GCP’s 2030 goal of prosperity for more than one million coffee farmers, members are expanding the production, procurement and demand for sustainable coffee around the world using GCP tools (Coffee Sustainability Reference Code, Equivalence Mechanism, Collective Reporting). GCP also supports members to respond to ever-changing consumer and stakeholder expectations and increasing regulatory requirements, while promoting farmers’ prosperity, social well-being, and the conservation of nature.

The Collective Action Initiative in Vietnam on the Responsible Use of Agro-Inputs brought together four roasters and two traders to address the topic of glyphosate use which was found to be over – and incorrectly –used by farmers. Alternative practices were identified, piloted, and confirmed as best practice alternatives for farmers. Thus glyphosate was banned by the government with good alternatives in hand for farmers. Additional initiatives addressing country-specific challenges are also in progress in Brazil and Uganda, with the overview to scale action through in six coffee-producing countries – all with the potential for equally powerful impacts.

Caroline Glowka,
Senior Manager Member Relations, Global Coffee Platform (GCP)

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20457 Hamburg • Germany 

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Neumann Gruppe GmbH
Coffee Plaza
Am Sandtorpark 4
20457 Hamburg • Germany