Lecture Description
Net zero commitments have steeply increased in recent years among key businesses in the coffee sector. Climate concerns are picking up as drivers behind purchase decisions. At the same time, carbon markets have great potential for financing climate action on coffee farms. However, offsetting and insetting schemes are under increased scrutiny to deliver concrete results and real value for the farmers in Scope 3. In this panel, we discuss the advantages of both carbon reduction approaches for the coffee supply chain. We will zoom in on the current challenges that companies and producers face to turn carbon reduction strategies into a non-zero sum game with winners at both ends.
Learn from concrete examples on the steps that interested coffee businesses can take to minimize costs of carbon schemes and maximize value for their coffee farmers.
Date: Friday, June 23, 2023
Time: 15:30pm - 16:30pm EET
Location: Lecture Room 2
Presenters:
Isabel van Bemmelen
Sr Business Developer & Head of Insetting, Rabobank Acorn
Isabel van Bemmelen Isabel joined the ACORN team of Rabobank this March, to focus on insetting. Before starting at the ACORN team Isabel has been the Managing Director of Progreso Foundation since 2017, supporting coffee and cocoa producer organisations with their sustainable development. She was the driving force behind the development of Beyco, ‘Beyond Coffee’ a worldwide coffee trading platform using blockchain technology. Before joining ACORN, Isabel already worked over 10 years for Rabobank and Rabobank Foundation, managing the Latin America loan portfolio including trade finance for many coffee and cocoa producer organisations. She has extensive knowledge of microfinance, financial analyses, coffee market, price risk management, organisational development and productivity/quality increase. She loves cupping coffee and facilitating trade connections.
Joel Brounen
Country Manager Colombia, Solidaridad
Joel Brounen is Country Manager in Colombia, leading the organization´s work on the ground to measure carbon emissions, develop scope 3 reduction scenarios and elaborate investment plans for farmers, traders and roaster. He is one of the pioneers behind the ACORN platform, successfully developing the algorithms and data sets for this satellite-based trading platform and the current scaling strategy with partners. Currently, he is involved in multiple inset and offset projects in the agriculture sector. Joel has a Master Degree in Sustainability Leadership of the University of Cambridge and Master Degree in International Economics of the University of Utrecht.
Niels Haak
Director Sustainable Coffee Partnerships, Conservation International & Sustainable Coffee Challenge
Niels Haak is Director Sustainable Coffee Partnerships at Conservation International, a globally operating non-for profit working to ensure a healthy, more prosperous planet that supports the well-being of people. In his role, Niels works actors from across the coffee sector to co-develop programs and solutions that will drive sustainability throughout the coffee supply chains and address critical challenges within coffee producing landscapes. Niels leads Conservation International’s efforts to convene and facilitate the Sustainable Coffee Challenge - a dynamic and diverse coalition of partners from across the coffee sector dedicated to making coffee the world’s first sustainable agricultural product.