This study by the Deutsche Umwelthilfe in cooperation with Coffee Watch examines the implementation status of relevant environmental and human rights due diligence obligations by German coffee companies, based on their self-reported information. The study does not assess compliance of their measures with legal requirements.
The study demonstrates that companies need clear, binding, and stable regulatory frameworks to be able to invest in sustainability in the long term. A significant weakening of the LkSG, EUDR, and CSDDD not only increases environmental and social risks, but also disadvantages those companies that are already taking responsibility. Reliable rules are crucial for creating fair competition, empowering smallholder farmers, and ensuring sustainable supply chains in the coffee sector. While some coffee companies are making intensive efforts to ensure ethically responsible production conditions, others largely disregard existing standards. The latter ones risk deceiving unwitting consumers who do not wish to support practices associated with serious human rights violations such as human trafficking, child labor, and environmental destruction, particularly deforestation. Our report indicates that there is a clear need for binding regulations to create a level playing field for companies, with minimum sustainable and social standards for all.
Download the English version here.
Download the German version here.
