Cooxupé, the world's largest coffee cooperative, will present an inspiring account of its sustainable practices at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. During the panel The Role of Cooperatives in Advancing Climate Action, promoted by the International Trade Centre (ITC) on November 19, the cooperative will highlight its approach with the presentation Our Coffee Makes the World Smile. Cooxupé will demonstrate how its business model is essential to addressing global climate challenges and promoting sustainable development.
This year, Cooxupé achieved a significant milestone by publishing its sustainability report following the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, reflecting its commitment to transparency and global best practices. According to Natália Carr, Cooxupé's ESG manager, presenting these achievements at COP29 is a valuable opportunity. “Publishing a sustainability report is a major victory. Being at COP to showcase that Brazilian coffee farming is responsible and sustainable, while educating consumers about everything behind their cup of coffee, is transformational,” she emphasized.
The cooperative currently boasts 19,300 members, 96% of whom are small producers. Of these, 85% are family farmers who rely exclusively on domestic labor and do not hire external workers. This highlights the inclusive profile of the cooperative, which provides specialized technical support and promotes social initiatives to ensure the long-term sustainability of farms.
Transformative Projects for Rural Areas
Among the initiatives Cooxupé will present is the Generations Protocol, a continuous improvement tool involving independent audits that prepare producers to meet current and future sustainability demands. Natália explained that this protocol is a cornerstone of the ongoing transformation in the field toward sustainability. “Our protocol is not elitist. It was designed to include as many members as possible, ensuring even small producers meet global market requirements. The technical assistance we provide considers the farm as a whole, helping farmers develop, ensure succession, and build resilience for future generations to continue coffee cultivation,” she explained.
Another notable program is the Environmental Education Center, which promotes environmental education in the Guaxupé (MG) communities. Its goal is to raise awareness of environmental issues and distribute native seedlings free of charge. “These initiatives aim to restore degraded areas and create ecological corridors,” Natália added.
Additionally, the cooperative has launched the Regenerative Coffee Farming project in partnership with the Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (Epamig). This project focuses on implementing agricultural practices that improve soil health and biodiversity, reinforcing Cooxupé's commitment to the planet's future. “We seek solutions tailored to the Brazilian reality, always grounded in science. Our goal is to help farmers thrive while ensuring Brazil remains a global leader in sustainable agriculture,” Natália noted.
Beyond local impacts, Cooxupé’s initiatives have a global reach, with efforts in circular economy, renewable energy generation, and emission reductions. These initiatives position the cooperative as a benchmark in ESG practices within the coffee sector. For Natália, being a cooperative means believing that no one loses when everyone wins. “Our mission is to ensure that every member, every family, and every consumer understands that sustainability is a shared responsibility,” she concluded.
Márcio Lopes de Freitas, president of the Sistema OCB, highlighted the significance of Cooxupé's example in showcasing Brazilian cooperativism's leadership in combating climate change. “It is remarkable to see how our cooperatives, like Cooxupé, adopt responsible practices that directly protect the environment and improve quality of life. Presenting this at COP29 is a source of pride and an opportunity to further demonstrate the potential of our movement in advancing a green economy,” he stated.
