The future of coffee takes center stage at the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award 2024 roundtable discussion organized by illycaffè at the United Nations Headquarters.
Top industry experts gathered in New York to address the coffee industry’s climate crisis and advocate for global investment in regenerative agriculture through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2024 — The future of Coffee is at risk in a world facing unprecedented climate challenges. Droughts in Brazil and extreme weather events in Vietnam are examples of climate volatility threatening the livelihoods of over 12.5 million coffee growers, most smallholders. The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award 2024 convened at the United Nations Headquarters to address a critical question: How can we secure the future of Coffee in light of these environmental and socio-economic threats?
The roundtable discussion, organized by illycaffè as part of this year’s Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award, was moderated by Clare Reichenbach, the CEO of the James Beard Foundation. The panel brought together distinguished leaders and visionaries in the fields of Coffee and sustainability, including:
- Andrea Illy, Chairman of illycaffè and co-chair of the Regenerative Society Foundation
- Massimo Bottura, world-renowned chef and UN Goodwill Ambassador
- Jamil Ahmad, Director of the UNEP New York Office
- Andrea De Marco, Project Manager at UNIDO
- Raina Lang, Senior Director of Sustainable Coffee at Conservation International
- Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization
This gathering highlighted the commitment to advancing sustainable practices within the coffee industry.
“Since Expo 2015, we have worked tirelessly to establish a framework to protect coffee for generations to come,” said Andrea Illy. “Regenerative agriculture has proven it can achieve high yields and quality while restoring natural resources. We must act swiftly to scale these solutions globally through an international fund. It is essential to implement regenerative solutions now, as we have seen their effectiveness and the positive outcomes they deliver.”
The roundtable concluded with a strong message directed at the global coffee community, financial institutions, and individual consumers: coffee-producing countries need substantial investment and collaboration between the public and private sectors. This cooperation is essential for developing scalable, resilient, and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The proposed fund aims to support farmers in their transition to regenerative methods, ensuring the economic sustainability of the coffee industry while effectively addressing climate and social challenges.
The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award honors the founder of illycaffè. illycaffè is a family-owned Italian company established in Trieste in 1933. The company’s mission is to provide the finest coffee to the world. It produces a unique blend made from 100% Arabica coffee with nine different ingredients. Over 8 million cups of illy coffee are served daily in more than 140 countries worldwide, including cafes, restaurants, hotels, and single-brand cafes and shops. People also enjoy illy coffee at home or in the office through its subsidiaries and distributors.
Source: illycaffè
CitiTimes 