Roasteries play a pivotal role in the coffee supply chain, significantly impacting the carbon footprint of coffee. On one hand, roasteries select green coffee, which contributes to approximately 60% of the supply chain's emissions. On the other hand, the roasting process itself can account for around 20% of these emissions.
Why Did We Measure Emissions?
In recent years, we have developed tools to measure emissions across supply chains. Our primary goal was to gain a deeper understanding of where and why emissions occur within our own operations. The CO₂ calculator has been instrumental in this process. Now, we are extending this capability to other roasteries, allowing them to track their emissions as well.
The CO₂ calculator helps validate self-assessments, pinpoint emission "hotspots," and identify where investments in sustainability can be most impactful.
Designed specifically for roasteries, this tool provides a cost-effective way to get an overview of emissions without needing to engage expensive agencies or consultants.
Our Objectives with the Calculator
We have two key objectives with this calculator. First, we aim to empower the roasting industry to easily assess current emissions with minimal effort. Second, the calculator serves as a foundation for sharing knowledge and collecting best practices.
We see a great opportunity here for an exchange between roasteries on topics that are well-known to all of us, but sometimes difficult to grasp. By making emissions visible with the calculator, we can collectively discuss the results and actively explore targeted industry solutions.
Feel free to contact us if you're interested in working with the calculator.
Life Cycle Assessment Method: Gate-to-Gate
This CO₂ calculator operates on a gate-to-gate basis, meaning it only considers emissions that occur within the roastery or are directly attributable to its activities. In other words, it tracks all emissions from the moment green coffee enters the roastery until it leaves as roasted coffee.
While the production of green coffee is a major contributor to the overall CO₂ footprint, it must be carefully analyzed. Currently available databases provide inconsistent data on coffee cultivation. To address this, we are developing a separate cultivation calculator that will offer sample calculations from farms using various farming methods, including conventional, organic, regenerative, and biodynamic practices.
Each of these calculators operates on a gate-to-gate basis, but they can be combined for a complete life cycle analysis of a specific coffee.
If you plan to include general green coffee data in your calculations, you can use Carboncloud’s database for green coffee, and our transport calculator for the logistics to your roastery. Be sure to account for roasting losses when calculating green coffee usage.
- Link to Carboncloud’s database: https://apps.carboncloud.com/climatehub/search?q=coffee&gate=Farm
- Link to our logistics calculator: https://www.kaffeemacher.ch/co2-calculator-transportation/
CO₂ Data
Our tool primarily uses datasets from ecoinvent (v3.8, retrieved in July 2023). Additionally, our data has been verified by Carbotech to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Note: This tool is not a substitute for a Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) assessment and cannot be used as a basis for offsetting through CO₂ certificates. Instead, it is an affordable tool for roasteries to self-assess and reflect on their emissions. For a full carbon accounting, you may need to consult a certified expert.
Our CO₂ Calculator on Notion
We’ve built our CO₂ calculator on Notion, making it available as a customizable template. Your data stays with you and is stored in your own Notion account.
Note: A Notion Plus account is required to enable automation features. However, this account can be canceled monthly, so the cost is only around €10 per month.
You can find Notion’s privacy policy [here].
Feel free to contact us if you're interested in working with the calculator.
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