Project Dates

Start: 2019

The Story

The Austrian Fair Trade pioneer EZA Fairer Handel has created a coffee brand that not only contributes to the conservation of forests and ecological buffer zones next to protected areas, but also supports direct climate action. This “Coffee for Future” combines organically grown Arabica highland coffee from small farmers’ cooperatives in Mexico and Uganda with additional on-site climate measures that are financed by an EZA climate premium.

The members of the partnering Mexican farmers organi­zation SPOSEL cultivate their coffee bushes under shade trees on the edge of the Selva Lacandona, a species-rich jungle area in the rather poor rural state of Chiapas. The smallholder families strengthen the sensitive ecosystem by diligent care of their agroforestry parcels and active reforestation. The farmers collectively decided to use the climate premium to reforest 300 ha of land in order to further diversify their shadow plants and strengthen ecological corridors.

The BOCU cooperative from Uganda at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains is also committed to the careful use of natural resources. Besides organic mixed farming of coffee, bananas, manioc and sweet potatoes, amongst others, the cooperative builds efficient cooking stoves, which reduce firewood and coal consumption and at the same time lower smoke emissions in households. To date, 3,000 families have been equipped with these cooking stoves. Each year, approximately 9,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions are avoided, and 50% less firewood is needed.

Success Factor | Hero Moment

Having been practicing an alternative way of trading since 1975, EZA’s partnerships are based on transparency and solidarity, open-mindedness and fairness. Fair Trade is meant to empower the people behind products. This includes active involvement of the producers, their needs and experiences, support of their cooperatives, and access to further training.