Nespresso

Securing climate-vulnerable coffee through regenerative sourcing 

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Climate-related raw material risk: Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall, pests, disease, forest loss and ecosystem degradation threaten the quality, availability and reliability of coffee supplies especially in climate-vulnerable regions. 
Solution pathway: Build long term sourcing relationships with coffee farmers and support regenerative, climate resilient farming practices that improve soil health, biodiversity, water management, farm productivity and landscape resilience. 

Business type: Large corporate 
Sector: Food and beverage 
Geography: Switzerland/ global supply chains 

In Practice

Coffee is highly vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall, pests, disease, and forest loss are making some traditional coffee-growing regions less reliable. For a business like Nespresso, this creates a direct raw material risk: without resilient farming systems, the quality, availability, and consistency of coffee supplies can be threatened. 

To respond, Nespresso has built long-term relationships with farmers through its AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, developed with the Rainforest Alliance. The programme works with more than 160,000 farmers across 18 countries, supporting practices that improve coffee quality, farmer livelihoods, and the resilience of farms and surrounding landscapes. This includes training and support on regenerative agriculture, soil health, biodiversity, water management, and climate adaptation. 

Nespresso has also supported the development of the Rainforest Alliance’s regenerative coffee approach, including the Regenerative Coffee Scorecard. In 2026, Nespresso is expected to introduce the world’s first Rainforest Alliance Certified regenerative coffees, sourced from farmers in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. The company is also involved in a climate adaptation project with Solidaridad in Colombia, focused on adapting coffee production to climate change and protecting and restoring forests in the coffee supply chain. 

For farmers, these programmes can support more resilient production, stronger livelihoods, and better access to premium coffee markets. For Nespresso, the work helps protect access to the high-quality coffee it depends on, while reducing exposure to climate and nature-related risks in its supply chain. 

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Why this example was selected

This case study was selected because Nespresso’s approach has received credible external recognition and partnership support. The company has worked with the Rainforest Alliance for more than 20 years, was involved in developing a regenerative coffee framework, and is set to be the first brand to source Rainforest Alliance Certified regenerative coffee. It is also globally B Corp certified, and its climate adaptation work in Colombia is supported through a recognised sustainable supply chains initiative with Solidaridad. 

Key Lesson

Businesses can reduce raw material risk by investing directly in the resilience of the farmers, ecosystems, and landscapes that produce the ingredients they depend on. 

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