The Real Link Between Coffee and Climate Change

How your daily coffee is both a climate threat and a potential solution.

As global temperatures continues to rise and extreme weather patterns intensify, coffee farming is feeling the heat. At the same time, the way coffee is grown and traded is quietly contributing to the very crisis threatening its future.

In this article, we’ll uncover the real connection between coffee and climate change, from deforestation and carbon emissions to crop vulnerability and climate-smart solutions. The goal isn’t guilt, but awareness: understanding how coffee impacts the planet gives us the power to support better practices.

Because if we want coffee to survive the next generation, it has to evolve with the climate.

In this Article

How Coffee Farming Contributes to Climate Change

Coffee doesn’t just suffer from climate change but also plays a role in causing it. From deforestation to emissions-heavy processing methods, the journey from farm to cup leaves a measurable carbon footprint. Here’s how:

1. Deforestation for Coffee Cultivation

To meet global demand, large tracts of tropical forest have been cleared to make way for sun-grown coffee plantations, especially in countries like Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. This deforestation:

Releases stored carbon from trees and soil into the atmosphere.
Disrupts ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
Contributes to long-term soil erosion and water stress.

Shade-grown coffee that was once the norm, has now been replaced in many areas by monocultures that are higher yielding but ecologically damaging.

2. Agricultural Emissions and Inputs

Modern coffee farming relies on:

Synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, that emit nitrous oxide, which is a potent greenhouse gas.
Gas-powered machinery used for irrigation, harvesting, and processing.
Energy-intensive processing, especially in wet milling. This process washes beans using large volumes of water and electricity.

While individual farms are small, collectively, this industrial approach adds up, especially in major producing nations.

3. Water Use and Waste Pollution

Coffee is water-intensive, both in cultivation and processing. A single cup can take up to 140 liters of water to produce, factoring in irrigation and washing. Poor wastewater management can pollute rivers and streams, especially when chemicals or discarded pulp are dumped untreated.

Together, these practices make coffee a hidden driver of land-use change, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions, especially in regions already vulnerable to environmental degradation.

How Climate Change Is Threatening Coffee Production

While coffee farming contributes to climate issues, it’s also one of the crops most at risk from climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and the spread of pests are already making it harder and riskier, to grow quality coffee.

Here’s what’s happening on the ground:

1. Rising Temperatures Shrink Viable Growing Zones

Arabica coffee prized for its flavour, is extremely climate-sensitive. It thrives within a narrow temperature range of 15–24°C. As global temperatures rise:

Traditional growing regions are becoming too hot, lowering yields and flavour quality.
Farmers are being forced to move to higher altitudes, which often means clearing more forest.
Warmer conditions accelerate bean ripening, which affects aroma and taste.

2. Unpredictable Rainfall Disrupts Harvests

Coffee plants rely on stable rainfall patterns to flower, fruit, and mature properly. But with climate change:

Droughts delay or prevent flowering altogether.
Heavy rains or floods damage blossoms and increase fungal diseases.
Irregular seasons make it harder to predict harvest times, impacting farmer income and bean consistency.

3. Pests and Diseases Are on the Rise

Warmer, wetter climates create ideal conditions for pests like the coffee berry borer and fungal diseases like coffee leaf rust (la roya), both of which are spreading into new regions.

The berry borer damages up to 80% of a crop if not controlled.
Leaf rust devastated Central America’s coffee farms in the 2010s, causing widespread crop failures.

These outbreaks hit small-scale farmers the hardest, who often lack the resources to manage them.

4. Economic Strain and Farmer Migration

As yields fall and costs rise, many smallholder farmers, who produce over 70% of the world’s coffee are reaching a breaking point. Some are:

Abandoning coffee altogether.
Turning to more resilient, often less sustainable crops.
Migrating to urban areas in search of more stable work.

This threatens not only global supply but entire farming communities.

Sustainable Solutions in the Coffee Industry

The future of coffee depends on how the industry responds to climate pressure. Fortunately, growers, scientists, and brands are innovating to reduce coffee’s footprint and build climate resilience, from soil to supply chain.

Here are some of the most promising solutions:

1. Regenerative and Shade-Grown Farming

Unlike conventional sun-grown plantations, regenerative and shade-grown systems work with nature rather than against it:

Regenerative agriculture restores soil health, increases carbon sequestration, and improves water retention.
Agroforestry systems, where coffee grows under tree canopies boost biodiversity and buffer crops from heat.
These practices also help protect pollinators and reduce the need for chemical inputs.

2. Climate-Resilient Coffee Varietals

Researchers are developing new coffee hybrids that can better withstand heat, disease, and drought without sacrificing quality:

Examples include F1 hybrids and rust-resistant strains being piloted in Latin America and Africa.
These varieties can improve yield while reducing the need for chemical intervention.
Adoption depends on funding, farmer training, and access to certified seeds.

3. Meaningful Certifications

While not perfect, certain certifications help hold the industry accountable:

Rainforest Alliance focuses on biodiversity, water conservation, and social standards.
Fair Trade ensures fair wages and community support.
Organic eliminates synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, reducing emissions and pollution.

However, certifications vary in rigor and so consumers should look for brands that go beyond minimum requirements and share real impact data.

4. What Can Consumers Do

Coffee lovers have real power to shift the industry. Here’s how:

Buy from brands that invest in regenerative farming or carbon-negative practices.
Look for transparency on sourcing, roasting, and packaging.
Reduce waste by avoiding single-use pods and using reusable filters or compostable options.
Support cooperatives and small producers through direct-trade or certified products.

What the Future Holds for Coffee & the Climate

If current climate trends continue, coffee as we know it may become rarer, more expensive, and less consistent, especially for beloved Arabica beans.

Here’s what experts are projecting:

1. Shrinking Suitable Land

By 2050, studies suggest that up to 50% of current coffee-growing land could become unsuitable due to rising temperatures, drought, and soil degradation. This would push production into new, often forested regions, increasing the risk of further deforestation.

2. Supply Chain Disruption

Extreme weather events, unpredictable harvests, and declining farmer retention could destabilise supply chains, leading to:

Higher prices for specialty-grade coffee.
Increased reliance on mass-market Robusta beans, which are more bitter and less complex.
More consolidation in the industry, squeezing out small producers.

3. Innovation on the Horizon

While the outlook is serious, innovation is brewing:

Lab-grown coffee and precision fermentation may supplement supply in the long term.
New digital traceability tools can track coffee’s climate impact from farm to cup.
Carbon-neutral roasting and regenerative investments by major brands show real momentum.

4. The Bottom Line

The future of coffee isn’t guaranteed, but it’s not doomed either. A more resilient, equitable, and sustainable coffee industry is possible if consumers, brands, and policymakers act together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is coffee really contributing to climate change?

Yes, mainly through deforestation, fertiliser emissions, and energy-intensive processing.

How is climate change hurting coffee production?

Rising heat, erratic rainfall, and spreading diseases are reducing yields and threatening quality, especially for Arabica beans.

What’s the most sustainable type of coffee to buy?

Look for shade-grown, organic, fair-trade, or regeneratively farmed options. Brands that share transparent sourcing and environmental goals are best.

Will coffee become a luxury item?

If climate trends continue and yields fall, premium coffee may become less accessible. Investing in sustainable practices today helps avoid that future.

Conclusion

Coffee is more than a morning ritual, it’s a global agricultural system feeling the pressure of climate change from both sides. From deforestation and emissions to droughts and disease, every step of the coffee chain is being challenged.

But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless.

By choosing coffee brands that support regenerative farming, protect forests, and treat farmers fairly, we can help reduce the industry’s impact and preserve coffee’s future for generations to come.

Small choices matter. So next time you brew, make it count.

Planet Pulse

The Real Link Between Coffee and Climate Change