Neumann Kaffee Gruppe has released a 2024 Sustainability Report detailing the group-wide sustainability efforts guided by its Responsible Business Program, as well as new regulations, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). For the first time, the report also includes the group companies’ Corporate Carbon Footprint and NKG’s very first Climate Action Plan (spanning 60 companies in 28 countries).
“Our vision is to foster a sustainable coffee supply chain where all stakeholders can thrive,” wrote Group CEO David M. Neumann and Group COO Rueben Scholz, in the report’s introduction. “We view this report as an opportunity to share our progress, contribute to the ongoing discourse in the coffee sector, and cordially invite you to join us on this journey.”
Colorful, interactive and accessible, the report is broken down into nine segments, representing NKG’s nine objectives across four areas of focus: its people, producers, the supply chain and the planet.
The supply chain section, for example, includes an explanation of the EUDR; overviews of NKG Verified and NKG Bloom and how they meet EUDR mandates; and quotes from coffee producers involved in the initiatives, sharing their experiences. Additionally, it introduces osapiens, the third-party due-diligence system being used by NKG to offer traceability and prove compliance, and it highlights the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals that the latter efforts address.
The producer sections, meanwhile, breakdown challenges and advances on the country level, with the understanding that ensuring the future of coffee hinges on coffee being a viable business for all involved, starting with farmers. Approaches to this include providing producers with access to long- and short-term financial access for coffee farmers (through the Smallholder Livelihoods Facility) as well as other tailored services. To date, the report shares, NKG has dispersed more than $10 million to smallholder farmers through NKG Bloom.
While the 2022 Sustainability Report laid the groundwork for NKG’s ongoing environmental efforts, the company has now calculated its global Corporate Carbon Footprint (including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions) for the third time and has defined its baseline for emission reductions. Based on this work, it has also developed its first Climate Action Plan.
We’re so proud to be part of a company that’s taken early and comprehensive action to support our natural world and to foster a sustainable coffee supply chain where all stakeholders can thrive. We hope you’ll spend some time with the report and share your thoughts with us. •
