Climate Change and Coffee: Building Resilience and Sustainability in a Changing World

The Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) recently collaborated with the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) Ethiopia and other partners from Ethiopia, Colombia, and Honduras to host a webinar titled ” Climate Change and Coffee: Building Resilience and Sustainability in a Changing World ” This initiative is part of the broader Women, Coffee, and Climate project, supported by the EU DeSIRA program, aiming to empower women in the coffee value chain amidst climate adversities.

The webinar, held on April 19, 2023, sought to raise awareness about the profound impacts of climate change on the coffee sector and facilitate knowledge-sharing to promote sustainable and resilient coffee production. The event featured engaging presentations and discussions, shedding light on the specific challenges faced by coffee farmers and communities due to climate change.

Dr. Zenebe Mekonnen, Senior Researcher & Director of Climate Science Research Directorate at Ethiopian Forestry Development, presented on the global, continental, and national trends of climate change and their implications on coffee production in Ethiopia. He highlighted the potential 25% reduction in Coffee Arabica production due to climate change effects and emphasized the importance of climate-smart coffee production practices to enhance productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The webinar also explored the disproportionate effect of climate change on women within the coffee industry. Women contribute significantly to manual labor in coffee production at the lower level, yet their representation in higher-end value chains is limited. The discussion underscored the need for government involvement to organize women into cooperatives and empower them through training programs to enhance their participation in the international coffee market.

Mr. Javier Hoyos, Technological Manager of the Coffee and Coffee Innovation Technological Park at TECNiCAFÉ, shared experiences from Colombia in mitigating climate change impacts. He emphasized the importance of embracing agroecology and its principles to address environmental challenges faced by the coffee sector and promote sustainable practices.

In conclusion, the webinar reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts to empower women in the coffee value chain, promote climate-smart practices, and foster sustainable and resilient coffee production. The insights and recommendations shared during the event are expected to pave the way for more inclusive and sustainable coffee production in Ethiopia and beyond.