In general, a large percentage of GHG emissions along the coffee supply chain is generated at farm level. As described under Goal 8, “Measure and enhance our environmental performance”, this is also the case for NKG farms. However, it is often dismissed that farms play an important role in carbon sequestration. Despite the emissions generated during coffee production activities such as the use of fertilizers and fossil fuels, the constant maintenance and care provided to the NKG coffee farms and the surrounding protected forests also have climatic benefits. Coffee production from sustainable agricultural practices allows the trees to grow in a healthy manner, which prevents emission generation due to land use change while increasing soil carbon as a natural climate solution. Since coffee farms work as natural carbon sinks storing CO2 in their above and below biomass, the overall process results in a positive CO2 net balance. On average, the three NKG coffee farms were responsible for sequestering 286 tons of below-ground carbon (CO2e) per hectare during 2021.  

In addition to this natural process, NKG farms strive to reduce CO2 emissions wherever possible and economically viable. On the one hand, this means increasing energy efficiency in our operations, e.g., by using modern coffee drying infrastructure and machinery. On the other hand, we want to minimize our consumption of non-renewable energy, e. g., by installing photovoltaic systems at our mills. Even small steps like the composting of organic materials, and its reuse as natural instead of synthetic fertilizers, can help us to reduce our Corporate Carbon Footprint and to protect the environment.  

Safeguarding and conserving biodiversity at our farms is one of our highest priorities. According to our principles of good agricultural practices, coffee cultivation should not compete with the local ecosystem but rather integrate into it. To this end, native forests and natural vegetation are protected on NKG farms to the greatest extent possible. Fazenda da Lagoa, for example, preserves 1,407 hectares of forest land and reforests an average of two hectares per year, using exclusively native trees.  

In addition, bio-corridors and vegetated areas near rivers or streams (so-called “riparian buffers”) are being established at our farms to allow wildlife crossing and to protect aquatic ecosystems. In order to prevent negative interference with nature, such as the hunting of animals or chopping of trees, designated areas are partly under the full-time guard of our conservation rangers. Furthermore, farm workers, visitors and the surrounding communities are sensitized to the need to conserve nature in collaboration with local authorities.  

While coffee cultivation and processing is highly dependent on water, rainfall patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable in many coffee- growing regions. This requires farms to develop new strategies to manage their water use more efficiently and to increase their drought resilience.    

At NKG farms, one of our focus areas is reducing water needs for washed coffee by implementing water recirculation systems. This includes the use of effluent from the wet mill to hydrate carbonized compost during the production stage.  

To further support water availability at our farms, we supplement borehole water with harvested rainwater to supply the living quarters.   

A similar approach can be found on our coffee fields. At Kaweri Coffee Plantation, we address water scarcity through the implementation of rainwater collection basins consisting of small in-field soil depressions. In this way, we reduce the run-off from the field and allow the rainwater to infiltrate the soil, so that it can be used by the plants. 

In addition, both Kaweri Coffee Plantation and Fazenda da Lagoa rely on the use of so-called “jumbo plants.” Jumbo plants are seedlings grown in the nursery for 10 to 11 months. They have a stronger root system than the conventional six-month-old seedlings and can therefore grow faster in depth and find more water there. This is especially useful, since newly planted tress tend to be very sensitive to drought.  

Another important tool is the application of gypsum. Gypsum is a very reactive soil conditioner consisting of calcium sulfate, which transports soil bases to deeper layers. Coffee roots follow these nutrients and reach much deeper layers where the soil holds more moisture. 

To ensure soil fertility and prevent negative effects such as soil erosion, NKG farms rely on field management practices which are based on plant, soil and terrain necessity. This includes, for example, planting trees according to the topographic level of the coffee fields as well as regular soil and leaf analysis to optimize compost and fertilizer application. 

Different soil cover techniques are used to maintain ground cover between coffee rows and thus reduce soil exposure. For this purpose, crop residues from the pruning process are left on the fields. Planting Brachiaria between coffee bushes also helps to prevent soil compaction and increase the water-holding capacity. After pruning, their branches cover the soil, protect it from direct sunlight, reduce water evaporation and serve as organic fertilizer. 

Moreover, mature coffee fields are planted at high densities to protect the soil. High planting density leads to a total soil cover under the plants, which on the one hand eliminates the competitive weeds but also shields the soil from direct sunlight. The soil cooled in this way “sweats” less and soil moisture is retained better and longer.