Starbucks Tackles Climate Change: Breeding Resilient Coffee Varieties for a Warming Planet

Coffee, especially the popular arabica variety, is under threat due to climate change. Recognizing the challenges posed by rising temperatures, Starbucks, which purchases about 3% of the world’s coffee, is proactively developing new arabica varieties. These varietals are specifically cultivated to be more resilient in a changing climate. For over a decade, Starbucks agronomists have been experimenting with different coffee tree types to identify those that can produce a high yield quickly and resist diseases like coffee leaf rust, which is aggravated by climate change.

After extensive research, Starbucks has identified six varietals that meet their taste, flavor, and resilience criteria. These varietals are available to farmers at Starbucks’ Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm in Costa Rica, serving as an educational and research center. The company’s efforts are not just limited to breeding; they have also distributed millions of coffee rust-resistant trees to farmers, aiming to spread 100 million trees by 2025.

However, the challenges posed by climate change are multifaceted. While Starbucks is making strides in developing climate-resistant coffee varieties, experts believe that a holistic approach, including a shift from industrialized coffee farming to more sustainable practices, is essential for the long-term survival of the coffee industry.

Reference: CNN Business.